You may have very well seen many a yard sporting a French Drain and not even realized it. The combination of lush green grass and choice cut rocks winding around in front of the home look almost as if placed exclusively for decoration, however, they ultimately serve a much bigger purpose. These winding sections of rock or gravel are not just decorative, but are indeed meant to drain water away from the foundation of your home.
A perforated pipe is placed inside the bottom of a trench dug deep into the ground. The pipe is then buried by loose gravel or decorative rock. These two components of a French Drain work together by draining water away that would otherwise pool up in those areas and cause the homeowner the headaches that come from standing water. Instead, the water seeps down through the rocks and out through the pipe.
The deeper a French Drain is installed, the more water it is designed to redirect. For heavier flooding yards, you may look into installing a deeper French Drain.
You can also utilize a French Drain to assist in maintaining the structural integrity of your home. For foundational walls that are currently suffering from the pressure of water bearing in from the outside, a drain such as this one can relieve the pressure by draining water away. French Drains are also great tools for keeping the flow of bacteria out of unwanted places. For example, guiding waste water away from your septic system can help keep your yard clear of contamination.
These drains are especially helpful during times that are usually more wet than others such as winter or rainy spells. Snow from the cold weather or significant storms can cause flooding. This means trouble for your basement, usually spelling out flooding and other moisture related problems like mold. In areas where it would cost several thousand for someone to make the repairs, they otherwise would NOT have to by installing a French Drain.
Installing a French Drain doesn’t make for less work, however. There are a lot of crucial obstacles to avoid that already exist underneath the home. Your plumbing, electrical wiring, and septic system are all found below the ground and cannot be compromised or there can be a dangerous situation on your hands. This means that a well educated and experienced professional should be your #1 choice for the installation of a French Drain for your home. Some projects are so intensive and specialized, they require the contractor to have a permit before performing the work!
If you are considering opting for a French Drain installation and have more questions, let us know! Want a local plumbing expert with loads of experience installing French Drain systems? Give Barrier Waterproofing Systems a call at (615) 257-1060 today!
