Why are French Drains Needed?

French drains  are needed in situations where a yard is constantly soaked, or when there is a wet basement. Where there is water, it will take the easiest way to flow downhill, which is where a French drain comes in. A French drain consists of a trench that is slightly  sloped , and is filled with round gravel. Inside the trench is a pipe, which serves to divert water away from the home or area of concern.

The basics behind a French drain

A  French drain  is simply a convenient channel through which water can flow. A trench is filled with gravel, allowing the water to run freely through it, and into a perforated pipe located at the end of the trench. The water is then emptied at a distance that is deemed to be safe, preventing the buildup that leads to saturation and flooding.

The actual bottom of the trench should have an ideal slope of approximately 1 in per 8 feet in the desired water flow direction. Where the water should be diverted to is dependent on the property. Some common areas are:

If you have or are building a  retaining wall  on a sloped area of the property, or a problem with wet basements or saturated yards, then you will definitely need a French drain to properly divert the water. Different types of French drains are used for different situations, for example:

If you are experiencing water in your basement or around your property,  contact  the French drain experts at 20 Landscaping right away. The professionals at  20 Landscaping  have the tools and the knowledge to ensure that your yard and your basement stays dry, and have successfully installed many French drains in and around the Pittsburgh area.