Some Known Details About Installing a French Drain (10 Common Questions)

If you're dealing with drainage concerns on your property, installing a French drain may be the visually pleasing solution you're looking for. When I bought my first home and horse barn, the first heavy spring rain revealed significant drain problems on the property. The rain and melting snow sent out a river of water through the barn aisle.

Then I dug and installed one myself. The 40-foot drain worked and has actually rerouted rainwater away from the barn. If you're experiencing a drain problem on your property, a French drain might be the right service for you, too. What Is a French Drain? While information about french drain systems may think that the French drain came from in France, the name originates from its developer, Henry Flagg French, a farmer from New England born in 1813.

French recommended a brand-new drainage system he created and called a cellar drain. Today, it's known as the French drain. A French drain consists of an excavated trench with gravel sides and a perforated pipeline to carry the water. Water diminishes the gravel into the pipe, where it's captured and directed away.

As the water level in the trench rises, water enters the drain through perforations and is carried far from the location. The pipeline angles down, bring water from the issue location to a better area. Since French drains are filled with gravel and then covered with soil, the location over it remains available and usable.

A French drain is totally buried so your lawn will look typical once it remains in. How To Know if You Need a French Drain French drains are a versatile, practical option for numerous drainage issues, such as: A location where an open ditch isn't practical or safe; Water threatens the stability of a keeping wall throughout and after heavy rains; Water is flowing toward a low-lying building, like a barn or shed; Water should be rerouted away from the home foundation; Water is pooling in an area you want to keep dry, like a backyard or garden.