What is a Dutch drain?

Open drain that carries stormwater runoff from the bottom of a house wall away from the house.

When should you use a French drain?

French Drains are primarily used to drain groundwater from gardens and around the foundations of buildings. French drains are designed to move water that is trapped in the ground away or towards an area. They are best used in soil that is prone to frequent saturation from rain or flooding.

Are French drains worth it?

French drains help prevent flooding and reduce the risk of long-term water damage to your property. They can last between 30 and 40 years. They're cost-effective. French drains can be aesthetically pleasing as they are usually covered with small rocks, plants and sometimes even decorative grates.

What is better than a French drain?

A sump pump is one the the most popular and most effective alternatives to a french drain. A sump pump add lots of drainage but comes with a few downsides. A sump system requires electricity to function and can be expensive to install and maintain.

What is the drain in the ground called?

A French drain or weeping tile (also trench drain, filter drain, blind drain, rubble drain, rock drain, drain tile, perimeter drain, land drain, French ditch, sub-surface drain, sub-soil drain, or agricultural drain) is a trench filled with gravel or rock, or both, containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface ...

HOW A FRENCH DRAIN WORKS

What is a French drain in yard?

A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.

Why is it called French drain?

It's from Henry French, a judge and farmer in Concord, Massachusetts, who promoted the idea in an 1859 book about farm drainage. French drains provide an easy channel for water to flow through. Water runs into a gravel-filled trench, then into perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench.

What is a California drain?

This drainage system is typically used on driveways and sidewalks as well as areas directly under a roof edge that doesn't have gutters or any other area where water has the tendency to collect.

What is a swale in landscaping?

Drainage swales are shallow ditches that blend in with surrounding landscape design, facilitate water management, and encourage natural irrigation. Swales take advantage of natural slopes in the land to direct water downward into all the soil as opposed to letting it pool above ground or waterlog a specific region.

Do landscapers put in French drains?

The landscaping construction company who installs your French drain needs to make sure the proper slope is determined so water flows continuously and consistently to the pop-up valve or exit. Another common failure is the pipe perforations become clogged with dirt and debris.

Do French drains cause mold?

French drains are only installed on properties prone or likely to flood. These systems collect water and move it away from the basement walls so it won't penetrate. If it does, it can cause damp, mold, structural damage, and more problems. For these reasons, it's important to stay on top of maintaining a French drain.

Which is better sump pump or French drain?

Sump pumps offer a few key advantages over french drains. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the amount of water they can pump and drain. Pumps like the Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate can drain up to 43 gallons of water per hour at a 5′ head height – something that french drains can't compete with!

What is the difference between a yard drain and a French drain?

The main difference between the two is that French drains capture and remove groundwater while trench drains quickly remove surface water before it can saturate the ground.

What is the difference between a French drain and a curtain drain?

Curtain drains essentially do the same thing that french drains do- get rid of the water. The main difference is that french drains deal more with groundwater while curtain drains have more to do with surface water. Curtain drains are built in a very similar way to french drains but are dug to a shallow depth.

How do I stop pooling water in my yard?

How do you divert rain water in your yard?

How do I get rid of ground water under my house?

How deep is a French drain?

French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.

Where does a French drain end?

The two ends of a French drain system are: The drain field, or high end, where excess ground water enters the drain pipes. The drain exit, or lowest point, where water leaves the system.

What is a Victorian drain?

Typically, these Victorian houses are brick-built and laid out in terraces. The drains of each property in the terrace will connect to pipes leading to the public sewer. The pipes used in Victorian times were made from salt-glazed clay.

Can you run downspouts into French drain?

A French drain is actually a network of pipes laid in trenches dug beneath the ground through which water runoff can flow. This structure can be attached to your downspouts and will work seamlessly with your existing gutters.

Do French drains attract mosquitoes?

As great as french drains are for moving water, the water basins that serve as inlets are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos. They are dark, wet, and usually undisturbed except during a rainfall.