What is a French Drain and Why it Matters

Suncrest Landscape, Inc. • June 22, 2015

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Have you ever noticed a permanent damp spot in your yard, or found water in your basement? Chances are you’re having a drainage issue with groundwater. This can happen for many reasons, but regardless you should get rid of it fast before it causes even bigger problems.

Surface water that lingers next to buildings or walls can cause mold and rot. If left unchecked, these can lead to structural issues with your house and health issues for your family.

This is exactly when a French Drain can come into play. Popularized in the mid-1800’s book “Farm Drainage” by Henry F. French, modern French drains (or sub-drains) are designed to manage water at the ground level. They are a low-cost, quick installation and more than worth the investment. Best of all, once a French drain is installed, you’ll be none the wiser that it’s there.

 

How does a French drain work?

  • First, a trench is dug near the site of the surface water drainage problem.
    • It can be installed at various depths, depending upon the needs of the location.
  • The trench is graded so that water is diverted away from the home or retaining wall.
  • A layer of 1-2” of gravel is laid on the bottom for support.
  • A perforated pipe rests on top of this layer.
    • The perforations allow ground water to naturally enter and exit the pipe.
  • The rest of the trench is filled with more gravel, typically followed by a layer of porous cloth.
    • The cloth is porous enough to let the water through, but stops soil from leeching through and clogging up the drain.
  • The trench is covered completely with soil and your yard is put back to rights.
  • Lastly, the ground water now is redirected from the originally oversaturated soil and empties a safe distance away.

 

If you need to eliminate excess water from low points around your home and yard, a French drain is the way to go. Suncrest Landscape, Inc. provides affordable, professional engineering solutions for installing a French drain in the Greater Sacramento area. Best of all, the installation can take as little as 2-3 days without putting a huge dent in your budget. Contact us for help with drainage and soggy ground. We’d be happy to come by and assess your situation and provide a free estimate.

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