A trench drain will help move water away from your house and yard. This trench drainage system, also known as a French drain, intercepts water before it reaches your house. The drain acts like an underground gutter, keeping your basement dry.
A French drain is an in-ground trench or pit that captures groundwater. If you build a trench French drain, it can collect groundwater and divert it to a low spot on the land. The best French drain design is one that allows water to freely flow from the trench back out onto the surface of the land. French drains and water go hand and hand, the water can be removed from your soil if a knowledgeable contractor installs one for you.
Natural springs can keep your lot wet. Drain the soggy land with the addition of French drains.
Installing drainage systems with downspout drain lines is simple enough to do. First check with your local government. Stormwater rules and regulations may prohibit some of your ideas. Can you discharge rainwater onto your property? Drainage systems that use a smooth 4 inch diameter plastic SDR-35 pipe will have few problems. Read my tips for better drainage.
Drain tile systems serve two purposes. Water removal away from the house and water injection into the soil foundation during drought. Drought conditions can cause the soil of your foundation to shrink, causing foundation and footer to fall. Installing drainage systems to prevent two problems is discussed in this column.
Downspouts and gutters will collect and send out hundreds of gallons of water during a storm. Splash blocks only serve as a way to absorb and spread the energy of the falling water. Drain lines of durable 4 inch diameter plastic can capture and move the water to a better place on your lot. Read my column for more tips.
Simple hidden trench drains really work well if your lot reminds you of the swampy Everglades. Try one of my Linear French Drains to turn your lot into a meadow or grassland like you see in travel films.
Here is a diagram for installing french drain systems around your home. The linear French drain design is simple. The slope of the soil around the home is very important to keep in mind.
To eliminate standing water problems around your house your foundation must be waterproof. Foundation drainage codes require a natural slope away from the house for water flow. Drain pipes, downspouts or a sump pump also can all pipe water away from the house.
Foundation waterproofing can be achieved with the following exterior products from these manufacturers. It is a good idea to read about waterproofing foundations before buying a product.
Exterior foundation waterproofing treatments vary greatly. Most foundations are damproofed. Drain tile systems, if installed correctly, will keep your foundation waterproof for years to come. Here are some drain tile installation pointers about backfilling and preventing ponding.
Turn wet ground into dry ground or stop water seeping into your crawlspace or basement with a very simple hidden trench drain. Wait until you read the testimonial from Patrick!
A typical French drain system for soggy yards involves a grid work of pipes. The French drain systems work exactly like the French drain to pipe water away from a soggy yard.
A popular soil drainage solution are French drain pipes around your home. These French drain systems capture sub-surface soil water and direct it away from the foundation. French drain systems need trenches dug, the right pipes and the correct placement of drain pipes for a good drainage system.
Splash blocks directly below down spouts do little to pipe water away from your foundation. For heavy downfall regions, a sump pump discharge pipe may not be piping the water far enough way. Invest in plumbing drainage pipe for this job.
Downspout drainage pipes do not have to be buried deeply. Exterior drain pipes should also be installed in undisturbed soil about 6 feet away from the foundation. Lay drain pipes in beds of gravel for best results.
Downspout drainage pipes lead to long-term dry homes. Drainage pipes direct water away from the home. PVC pipes work well for making drain systems that turn corners and keep water at bay.
A French drain must be installed so the pipe slopes level or downhill. Here is a simple diagram for installing French drain systems. This diagram is a view of a linear French drain system viewed from the ground.
A French drain system helps water around the house flow away from the foundation. French drain designs simply allow the water to flow where it wants to flow - the path of least resistance. These French drains aid in exterior drainage and save your house from basement water seepage.
Negative slope causes a majority of basement or crawlspace drainage problems. Having landscaping work done on a home can cause drainage problems around your house. Try installing a linear French drain to trap and pipe water before it gets inside your house.
Drain tile should be installed on shallow foundations. Drain tile installation will be used to add water to the area to stabilize the soil. This will minimize soil movement and ultimately minimize cracks in the foundation.
Foundation drainage systems are one of the most important aspects of residential construction. Installing drainage systems are also one of the most misunderstood aspects. Because these systems are usually deeply buried and cannot be easily modified or corrected, it is vitally important that they are installed correctly. Foundation drainage systems which are installed properly can serve a dual roll.
Foundation drain tile systems are very important. They move water away from the soil around your foundation. Using a T fitting, they can move water to the soil to keep it in equilibrium during a drought.
