Drainage is a big issue in my yard. Every time it rains, a big puddle forms in my back yard, and it stays there until the sun bakes it away. It makes a muddy mess of things, and mosquitoes love it when they’re in season. Besides the obvious inconvenience of a standing puddles of water after every rain, there are unseen problems that standing water can create for my property. The excess moisture can start to leak into my basement and that can lead to mold and damage to the foundation of my house (which is NOT good). Luckily for my house, I finally got around to installing a French Drain and my days of soaking my shoes every time I need to walk through my back yard seem to be over.
For those who aren’t familiar (and for the record, I wasn’t either until I started working at Greenstreet), a French Drain is simply a trench filled with permeable rocks or gravel and a perforated pipe that carries water away. They vary in size and design, but they all serve the same function. They are great for helping drain water from the real problem areas in your yard that other methods of water management are not effective enough to mitigate. Rain gardens are beneficial, but they’re typically not as effective at draining standing water as a French Drain system. As a matter of fact, rain gardens are often used in conjunction with French Drains but that is another subject for another day.
One of the beautiful aspects of a French Drain is the simplicity of the system. It is not complex. First, a trench is dug starting in the problem area that needs drainage and leads to a lower area that the water can run freely. Each yard will have its own ideal solution, whether it’s a nearby storm drain or another area in your yard better equipped to handle excess water. Then, the trench is lined with a filter fabric and a perforated pipe that runs the length of the trench is installed. Finally, the trench is filled with stones and pebbles of your choosing. The pebbles provide a nice aesthetic while also preventing the pipe from being clogged with debris. The water is filtered through the stones, goes into the holes in the pipe, and runs along the channel out to the end where the water is released into whatever area can handle the flow of water.
While a French Drain is a simple design, there can be some serious issues that can arise if they are not installed properly. First off, ensure the drain is installed with the proper slope. Since water naturally flows downhill, the drain must slope accordingly. Water cannot travel up hill (obviously), so it needs to be installed with a downhill slope. The ideal grade for a French Drain is 1% (which means the drain slopes 1 in for every 10 inches of pipe). Additionally, you must consider permits and underground utility lines. Some municipalities require a permit for these systems to be installed and that can cause a headache if not done properly. You can talk to your local city or county government, and they will be able to let you know what is required. There is also the issue with underground utility lines. There are lines and wires that run under everyone’s yard, and they are a big pain to get fixed when they are accidentally cut. Luckily, you can contact someone like Miss Utility, and they will be able to mark where lines could possibly be running.
With all this in mind, you can always choose to have a professional install the French Drain if you decide to move forward with the project. I like to handle as much of my own home’s maintenance and care as I can but there is something to be said for budgeting the money to have a professional come take care of whatever project I have in mind.
If you have questions about standing water in your yard, French Drain installation, or for more information, stop into one of our stores or give us a call!
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