If you have a soggy lawn or water in your basement or crawlspace, you may benefit from having a drainage system on your property. French drains are the most common type of drain used in landscapes. In this blog post, we’ll talk more about French drains and why you may consider having one installed on your property.

What is a French Drain?

French drains go by many names including weeping tiles, drain tiles, and perimeter drains. A French drain is a trench with perforated pipes inside that is then covered with gravel to be apart of your landscape. When water seeps through the gravel, the pipes direct it down and away from your home to prevent flooding and water damage.

Types of French Drains

French drains can be installed outside of your home and inside of your home in your basement. They can also be shallow or deep, depending on your current water problem.

Shallow French Drain (curtain drain): If you’re just dealing with minor surface water, you may want to just have a shallow French drain installed. Curtain drains run about 2 feet deep, horizontally across your property, intercepting water.
Deep French Drain (footing drain): If you have water seeping into your crawlspace or basement a deep French drain will intercept the water and redirect it to a safe place away from your property. Footing drains are installed around the perimeter of your home. If your home is still in the process of being built, installing a footing drain is an easy and inexpensive process. If you’re adding it later, the installation process is much more extensive. Your landscaping, decks, and walkways may have to be torn apart, adding to the cost.

Signs You May Benefit From a French Drain

You have a soggy lawn
Stand water on your driveway
Water is getting into your basement or crawlspace
Soil erosion
Exposed roots

Improper drainage can lead to standing water which in turn leads to many damaging effects including flooding, water damage, and plant death. Standing water also attracts many insects. In fact, it serves as a breeding ground for mosquitos. If you need a French drain installed on your commercial or residential property, it’s best to hire a professional like Grasshoppers.