If your lawn does not have proper drainage, standing water can damage your lawn, landscape, and structures depending on where the water is collecting. A French drain is one solution to this problem that creates an underground void for water absorption.
A French drain begins with a trench along the area where water is collecting. Traditionally, gravel is placed in the trench, but there are non-gravel options available. A perforated pipe is then placed over the gravel. This pipe will carry water away from the area. The pipe is then covered with gravel, and this gravel-surrounded pipe increases the ability of the ground to carry water and will remove water from the location depending on the situation. Soil is placed above the gravel, and your lawn can grow over the French drain without anyone knowing it is there.
Properties that need French drains are often at the bottom of hillsides. Mountain runoff or lawn watering from neighbors up above your home can cause major water problems for you. This may cause your basement to flood, your lawn to die, or your driveway to crack in response to water saturation. Placing French drains in a location that prevents water from building up in these locations prevents damage.
You can install a French drain yourself if you want to engage in some manual labor and have the truck capacity to grab a lot of gravel. Gravel is key to proper drainage. An alternative to gravel is Styrofoam, and it uses pre-packed Styrofoam peanuts around a perforated pipe to accomplish the same task. It is a bit more expensive, but it is lighter and easier to install. If you don’t feel comfortable installing your own French drain, call your local lawn care professional.
The slope of the pipe should direct water away from the site of the problem and decline about 1 inch per every 10 feet of distance to get water moving away. Water can be collected and remove via catch basin, sump pump, dry well, or other methods that may provide a natural source for your watering needs.
A lot of people put off correcting drainage problems because the task of correction seems like too much work. French drains are actually a simple and immediate solution when installed properly. They don’t interrupt your landscaping features (except for during installation), and they can last a lifetime.
Have questions about your lawn care?
Greenfeet Lawncare Provides Service to the Following Areas.
770-619-2929
North Fulton, East Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth Counties - including Alpharetta, Canton, Cobb, Cumming, Dunwoody, Gwinnett, Johns Creek, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs
