Some Key FAQs About French Drains

August 17th, 2019

French Drains : FAQs

Today, a French Drain sometimes provides an excellent solution for yard drainage problems. This improvement offers cost-effective assistance in channeling water in the desired direction. Also, it may help keep residential basements and crawl spaces in a dry condition. This brief article seeks to answer some Frequently Asked Questions about French Drains.

French Drain & Downspouts #6

Q. What is a French Drain?

A. In its most basic form, a French Drain services as a tool for channeling groundwater in the desired direction. It typically consists of a gravel-filled ditch containing perforated pipe. Contractors frequently wrap the permeable fabric around the pipe to help prevent loose dirt or grit from slipping into the perforations. Water seeps through the gravel and enters the pipe, which relies upon gravity to transport the runoff into a designated channel.

Q. Does a French Drain provide a permanent waterproofing solution?

A. No. French Drains eventually wear out when soil and plant roots clog the gravel and the pipe perforations. Many online sources suggest French Drains typically function well for around 7 years. Property owners frequently obtain assistance from contractors in cleaning and revitalizing French Drains, however. A well-maintained French Drain offers a highly cost-effective drainage solution.

Q. Will a French Drain destroy the appearance of my lawn?

A.No. Real estate owners enjoy many possible landscaping options when they install French Drains. The surface of the French Drain may serve as a pathway. In some locations, this site functions aa a gravel-filled yard accent. Frequently, skilled landscapers incorporate the French Drain into a site so effectively that the improvement actually enhances the appearance of the reality.

Q. How long have French Drains served as waterproofing tools?

A. Engineers have used many principles involved in French Drain construction since ancient times. However, the modern French Drain invented by Assistant U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Flagg French (1813-1885) first gained popularity in the mid-1800s. Described in the 1859 book Farm Drainage, the earliest French Drains predated the invention of perforated pipe; these structures relied upon the use of roofing tiles to help collect and channel groundwater.

Q. Can I still install a French Drain if my yard includes a fence?

A. Yes. It may become necessary to temporarily remove the fence during French Drain installation in some cases, however. Also, French Drains sometimes appear quite attractive passing beneath fencing.

Q. Will a French Drain prevent seasonal basement flooding?

A. The effectiveness of a particular French Drain varies on a case by case basis. In some situations, properties which include French Drains eliminate all basement flooding concerns. However, in other circumstances, a French Drain may form only one aspect of a basement waterproofing strategy. The French Drain may simply help reduce the annual volume of water seeping into a basement or a crawl space.

Q. How much will French Drain installation cost?

A. Many different elements enter into the total cost of a French Drain installation project. Also, some of these factors include the length of the drain, the depth of the drain, the types of drain materials, the length of the project, and the difficulty of digging in a particular location. Nationally, French Drains cost an average of around $25 per linear foot, although prices for this realty improvement vary widely from one region to another. (3)

Q. How do I determine whether or not my property would benefit from a French Drain?

A. In most situations, before seeking to install a French Drain, a real estate owner should consider requesting a knowledgeable waterproofing inspection. Ask a waterproofing contractor to visit your home and evaluate the condition of the yard, the basement, and any crawl spaces. Share information about seasonal conditions (and seasonal flooding, if any) in your location. Also, a waterproofing inspection permits the development of a comprehensive plan to promote adequate yard drainage and to help maintain basements and crawl spaces in a dry, comfortable condition. This plan may recommend adding one (or more) French Drains to specific locations.

Further Information

To obtain additional information about French Drains in North Carolina, or to ask a qualified waterproofing firm to install this real estate improvement, simply contact Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions, LLC. Reach us through the easy online contact form, or by dialing 919-235-5219 or 919-508-7503. We offer knowledgeable solutions to achieve better yard drainage and improved basement and crawl space moisture control. Our service area extends across Raleigh, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and outlying neighborhoods. Lastly , we look forward to assisting you!

Information Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_drain
2. https://www.drainagenwaterproofing.com/french-drains/
3. https://home.costhelper.com/french-drain.html