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What Is A French Drain?

A French drain, otherwise known as a weeping tile, perimeter drain, or French ditch, is an exterior waterproofing method that might be useful to you if you are planning ways to safeguard your home from water damage. The most invasive water damage can begin at the foundation of your home, causing a series of structural problems. There are a variety of solutions to help you divert water away from this maze of future complications. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of adding a French drain to home, so you can decide if this could be a method that will help keep your foundation dry.

What A French Drain Does

French drains are employed to prevent ground water from penetrating and/or damaging building foundations. It provide an easy channel for water to flow through. Water runs into a gravel filled trench, and then continues into a perforated pipe that extends a safe distance away from your home or building. If you have a problem with surface water you can install a shallow French drain. A shallow type, also called a curtain drain, extends horizontally across the property directly uphill of the area you need to divert water away from. This type of drain intercepts water and channels it away from where it normally collects. If you have a problem with water getting into your basement, you may need to install a deep French drain. A deep French drain runs around the perimeter of the house or building and intercepts water before it can enter the basement. You can also pipe the collected water from any of these types of French drains to a basin where a sump pump can send the water to a storm drainage system.

Is A French Drain Right For My Home?

There are a couple of immediate reasons for seriously considering the installation of a French drainage system. If water is getting into your basement from the exterior, this will ensure this issue is no longer a problem, as it gives an alternate location for the water to go. If your lawn is collecting too much water or your driveway continually washes out, a French drain can help in these situations as well. Finally, if you are building a retaining wall on a hillside installing a French drain should be something you consider seriously to ensure the longevity of your project.

Let AA Action Waterproofing help you direct water away from your home. Our certified professionals can help offer a variety of landscaping solutions tailored to the unique needs of your home. So call us today for a free consultation to see if a French drain is right for you!

This entry was posted in Water Damage on October, 14, 2016