Heavy rain, as well as melting snow, can cause water to accumulate in the area, where it forms puddles and creates large areas of standing dirty water. If the water cannot drain away from the yard, it flows towards the house, which leads to flooding and damage to things. To protect the foundation of the house from constant damage and prevent flooding, you can install a French drain. Our article will tell you what it is and how it works.
What is a French Drain?
Unlike a surface drainage system, which collects and removes water from the surface, this type of drainage system collects and removes it from the soil.
A French drain or trench drain is a simple trench dug into the ground in the most problematic areas of the property. A perforated pipe wrapped in a permeable fabric is placed at the bottom of the trench, after which it is covered with several layers of rock or gravel. French drains work because gravity causes water to flow downhill, and water will always follow the path of least resistance. It will naturally flow through the rocks into the hollow pipe, where it can flow freely down the slope into a drain, storm drain, or any other suitable drainage location.
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By drawing water from saturated soil, a French drain system reduces standing water, so your kids and pets can enjoy their time on the lawn without worrying about huge puddles.
French drainage was described in detail in an 1859 book written by American judge and farmer Henry French. It helped popularize the idea of draining excess water from crop fields to improve crop yields and prevent flooding. The system was named after Henry French and has since been used to improve field drainage, reduce yard saturation, and protect home foundations. Since the name French translates from English as “French,” this drainage system became known as “French drainage,” although it was invented by an American and is more accurately called French drainage.
It is a basic design that uses scientific laws to quickly and efficiently drain excess water from a given location. For example, during a heavy rainfall, water can pool around the foundation of a house and eventually seep into the basement because there is no drainage channel.
How does a French drain work?
The basic principle of a French drain is to provide a path of least resistance for water, rather than allowing it to accumulate and flood the soil. This is accomplished by using a hollow, perforated drain pipe that can collect and drain water from the yard to a designated drain location.
The drainage pipe is wrapped with a permeable fabric to prevent weeds, dirt and other debris from clogging the holes in the pipe. Keep in mind that if you do not use such a fabric on the pipe, water will not be able to enter the pipe, so the flooding problems will continue.
The pipe is covered with several layers of stones or gravel on top. Water passes through large gaps formed by stones much easier than through dense compacted soil.
The drainage pipe itself should be installed at an angle so that water, when it enters it, immediately begins to flow away from the house in order to prevent water accumulation and flooding.
Another factor to consider before installing a French drain is the cost of materials, as well as any costs associated with hiring a professional to do the job. While this task can be accomplished by an experienced DIYer, many people may prefer to have the system professionally installed to ensure it works effectively.
Applications of French drainage
As mentioned above, one of the most common uses of French drains is to collect water that forms puddles on the surface. But there are other uses as well:
French drain for foundation protection
French drains can be used to protect your basement from repeated flooding and prevent further damage to your foundation. Often called a “weeping tile,” this is a type of exterior French drain that can be installed around the perimeter of your home, reducing the hydrostatic pressure on your foundation and preventing water from seeping through cracks in your foundation.
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Weeping tiles are perforated pipes that drain away water that collects at the base of your home’s foundation. The water then flows into a storm drain or a sump pump installed in the basement.
You can also direct the water to a catch basin, such as a rain barrel, so that the collected water can be used to water your garden or lawn.
Protection of retaining walls
Retaining walls in a garden help hold soil in place and prevent erosion, especially on slopes. When soil becomes overly saturated, it puts increased pressure on retaining walls, causing them to fail. Installing a French drain to help draw in excess water and redirect flow away from the retaining wall is a great way to protect the integrity of the structure during heavy rains.
Groundwater drainage
Sometimes a French drain is installed to correct drainage problems due to localized rising groundwater. Groundwater is often thought of as existing only below a “static level,” known as the water table. However, due to differences in geology and soils, groundwater can pool in localized pockets. After a heavy rainfall, the soil in these areas can become completely saturated with water right down to the surface.
