French Drains

Excessive water can wreak havoc in your yard, destroying plant life and making your outdoor space unusable. The answer to many potential water drainage issues is the installation of a French drain. Learn more about how French drains can solve water problems in landscaping and when you should call the professionals at Circle D Construction to install a drainage system.

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What Are French Drains?

French drains are underground systems, designed to redirect water flow and move the water to a designated area. The system can be used in several different scenarios, when water is causing damage to a yard or a structure. 

French drains are relatively easy to plan and install. When a problem area is found, a homeowner or landscaping company can plan the exit route and determine where the water should go. Then, a trench is dug and pipes are placed at a slope. The drain starts a high point and slopes downward, to allow the water to move naturally toward the exit point. 

Exit points for a French drain should be relatively close to the starting point, to keep the system short and easy to manage, but far enough to prevent further water damage. Potential exit spots are areas of the yard that get the most sun to allow for evaporation, an area of the street with drainage, or dry wells that return the runoff to the groundwater supply.

When To Use A French Drain

If you’re noticing any water pooling around your home or throughout your yard, French drains might be an option for solving the problem. These are a few times when French drains can be a useful addition to your landscape.

Those who choose to build a retaining wall to prevent soil from being washed into lower areas of the yard can use a French drain to move water away from the wall. Incorporating a French drain into the design of the wall will keep water moving freely, preventing excess pressure on the wall.
If water is building up in any area of the yard, a French drain can correct the problem. The path of the water can be rerouted, moving it from the problem area and taking it to a ditch, dry well, or another area.
Water draining into your home is never a good situation to be in, and a French drain can often resolve that issue as well. Installing a French drain can once again reroute water, taking it away from your home and releasing it a safe distance away from the structure.
If you use raised garden beds, you might notice that water collects and causes damage to plants. Using a French drain in the area can help to keep plants hydrated and healthy, while moving the excess water out of the space and preventing water damage.

How To Handle Surface Water

Also known as a curtain drain, a shallow French drain leads surface water away from an area of your yard that could otherwise become flooded. The drain can be place just a couple of feet underground, directly next to the area being affected by water damage, allowing gravity to do its part and move the water.

With a pipe system so close to the ground surface, debris is more of a concern than with systems buried deeper. This can be an issue when plants and shrubbery are along the drain’s path. In these areas you’ll want to prevent roots, dirt, and debris from clogging the drain by making a portion of the drain solid, rather than using the perforated pipe.

Benefits Of Choosing French Drains

There may be more than one way to protect your yard from water damage, but French drains are often the best solution for homeowners. Here’s why.

After installation, the French drains are covered and easily hidden within your landscaping. You can tackle a major problem without sacrificing the look of your yard.
The cost of installing a French drain system is relatively low, and takes less time than many other major landscaping projects.
Over time, the drain will require minimal maintenance. Most homeowners won’t notice any issues for years after installation.

Why Go With the Pros?

French drains are a simple system, relying on gravity to do what it does naturally. A professional will be able to expedite the installation process, determining how to best use gravity and a well planned slope to move water efficiently from the problem area to a dry spot. 

Having a team with experience plan the path of the water can mean the difference between having a dry yard or creating an even larger problem. When the exit point of your drain isn’t in the right place, you may simply be rerouting the water toward another problem area, or worse, your home. 

While a simple system can sometimes be installed by a homeowner with little or no experience, things can often become more complicated than expected. If the drain needs to be incorporated into a retaining wall, for example, the amount of work will quickly increase and construction will require much more skill. 

Don’t let water ruin your landscaping. The experts at Circle D Construction can evaluate your yard and plan the best steps to move excess water before it becomes a problem.