French drains aren\u2019t just for the Seine. If you\u2019re looking for an elegant drainage solution to protect your landscape from damage from excess water, consider all the benefits of a French drain system. <\/p>
A French drain is essentially a fancy sloped trench that carries water away from where you don\u2019t want it (like sitting on your lawn or seeping into your home\u2019s foundation). French drains have a straightforward design for fixing drainage issues. They contain four layers:<\/p>
Groundwater like rainfall filters through the gravel and is carried by the pipe to a suitable exit point like a rain barrel or a storm drain. The landscaping fabric stops plant roots from entering the pipe and clogging the system. A French drain may be the best solution for avoiding water damage to your lawn or basement flooding that can affect the structural integrity of your home. <\/p>
No homeowner should stand for standing water. If you\u2019ve ever walked out on your lawn expecting the sound of songbirds and instead heard squelching underfoot, you probably need a drainage solution for surface water. <\/p>
Water shouldn\u2019t be sitting on your lawn the day after watering or rain. Not only are muddy footprints in your entryway annoying, standing water<\/a> leads to a number of problems. A French drain prevents puddles by funneling water in a controlled manner toward the exit point of your choosing instead of water collecting at a low spot in your lawn. <\/p> Note on excess water by your foundation: Interior French drains are also available to address poor drainage in your basement. <\/p> Exterior French drain installation isn\u2019t for everyone, but if you have a little experience with home repairs and landscaping, you can take on this project yourself. Be sure to take proper safety measures and read the instructions for how to install a French drain before you get started.<\/p> What you need for DIY French drain installation: <\/strong><\/p> Before you start installing your French drain, ring the Call Before You Dig hotline at 811<\/a><\/strong>. They\u2019ll give you access to city planning services so you know where any underground utilities are located. You don\u2019t want your shovel connecting with a surprise power or gas line. <\/p> Setting up a French drain is a fairly quick installation process whether you\u2019re doing it yourself or calling a professional. The longest part of the process is digging the trench, which should be fairly fast as long as you don\u2019t have problems with utility lines. <\/p> Professional installation takes anywhere from six hours to two days. If you\u2019re doing it yourself, expect to spend around two days. <\/p> When you think of drainage systems, images of ugly grates or ominous storm drains might come to mind, but French drains can fit seamlessly into your landscape. With a French drain, you can choose your gravel color, making a perfect border for a lawn or accent to a garden. A French drain fits in seamlessly with a rock garden<\/a>.<\/p> You also can let plants grow over the gravel of your French drain. Choose a low-lying ground cover like creeping phlox, amethyst in snow, sedum, or creeping thyme. As they grow, direct their suckers across the rocks. <\/p> Erosion <\/strong>is the process of wind, water, ice, or gravity moving soil particles. This might not seem like a big deal, but erosion<\/a> can have a huge impact on your landscape. It removes the topsoil, which in turn removes essential nutrients from your plants. In serious cases, it can also destabilize your home\u2019s foundation.<\/p> How can a French drain help erosion? <\/strong>Instead of heavy rainfall sliding across the surface of your yard, a French drain allows it to seep into the trench and be carried away safely without disrupting the topsoil. Standing water can kill your plants, which increases the likelihood of erosion. <\/p> Yards at risk for erosion<\/strong> have steep slopes that make erosion easier or little vegetation to anchor soil. <\/p> After decades of cultivation, a lot of chemicals have become entangled with our soil. When stormwater is carried across our backyard, it picks up these pollutants and chauffeurs them to local waterways. <\/p> While fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides can be great for growing a stunning lawn, they\u2019re not ideal ingredients in our water systems. Aquatic life can suffer from the chemicals and the overwhelming algae blooms they cause. <\/p> With a French drain, stormwater is protected from the soil by the pipe and landscape fabric. That way, it goes directly to the waterway while picking up minimal toxins. <\/p> To minimize toxic runoff even more,<\/strong> direct your French drain toward a rain garden<\/a>. Rain gardens are like living filtration systems for rainwater. Plant roots take in water that\u2019s gathered any chemicals and purify it through their roots. <\/p> Just because you can do it yourself doesn\u2019t mean you always want to \u2014 especially when it comes to installing drainage systems. Let a professional<\/a> take care of it for you. If you want help beyond getting your system up and running, hire a Lawn Love team<\/a> to help with regular yard maintenance like mowing, seasonal cleanup, and fertilization. <\/p> Dangers of standing water<\/span><\/h4>
2. Can install yourself<\/span><\/h3>
3. Quick installation<\/span><\/h3>
4. Aesthetically pleasing <\/span><\/h3>
5. Erosion control <\/span><\/h3>
6. Minimizes toxic rainwater runoff<\/span><\/h3>
Get help from a pro<\/span><\/h2>