All About French Drains

Whether you live in a flood-prone area or not, the unfortunate reality is that excessive rain, unexpected storms, internal appliance malfunctions, burst pipes, and more can cause standing water to pool outside and surround your property, with little to nowhere to go. While there are a variety of methods to help remove water in your yard, this article is specifically concerned with French drains. But what is a French drain, anyway? And what are some pros and cons? SERVPRO^® is Here to Help^® you decide if a French drain is right for you.

Definition of a French Drain

According to Meriam-Webster Dictionary, a French drain is defined as: “A drain consisting of an underground passage made by filling a trench with loose stones and covering with earth.” In some areas, it may also be called a “rubble drain.”

How Does a French Drain Work?

Ultimately, when rain falls or water gathers in your yard, as Delaware.gov indicates, a French drain will route water away into a natural drainage site. Keep in mind, monthly maintenance should be performed to help ensure debris, leaves, litter, and more are removed. Ultimately, the success of the French drain largely depends on where the drainage area is located.

Considerations for a French Drain

When deciding whether to install a French drain, some considerations might include:

• What climate do you live in? Does that necessitate a French drain?
• How common is flooding in your area? Rain?
• What type of terrain do you have, which surrounds your home, business, or other property? Is it conducive for a French drain?
• What is your budget?

French Drains: The Pros and Cons

Like any type of drainage system, there are both positives and potential negatives to installing a French drain. As Masterclass indicates, some potential advantages and disadvantages of a French drain include:

Pros:

• They tend to last long. If you continue to regularly perform maintenance and upkeep, French drains can last for years.
• They tend to be relatively cheap to install. Oftentimes, the material required to install a French drain is inexpensive, making them a popular choice.
• They tend to be easy to clean. An easy way to help clean your French drain is to flush water through it, until debris is removed.
• They can help waterproof your property’s foundation. Ultimately, because a French drain’s goal is to divert water away from your property, they can be very effective at “waterproofing” your home, business, or other property’s foundation.

Cons:

• They may cause excessive dirt. After you dig the trench, you will be left with a sizable amount of dirt that will need to be placed elsewhere or discarded. Make sure you have a plan in place to move this dirt.
• They can disturb existing landscaping. Because a French drain requires you to dig a trench, roots, trees, and/or other landscaping may be disturbed.
• They may require excessive labor to set up. French drains can be labor-intensive to install, so consider hiring professionals to help with this process.

For Flood Cleanup Assistance, SERVPRO is Available 24/7

Floods can strike without warning, which is why French drains are a popular yard drainage option to this day. Unfortunately, even with advance notice and methods of water removal, storm damage can still wreak havoc, sometimes striking with little to no alerts. Whether your home or business has experienced significant flooding due to a severe thunderstorm, hurricane, or other natural disaster, or a pipe burst in your home, SERVPRO is here to help. With 2270 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, there is a franchise near you, prepared to tackle any size cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction job.

Open 24/7, 365 days a year, every SERVPRO across North America is dedicated to helping put the pieces back together and returning your space to pre-loss condition. Established in 1967, SERVPRO has become the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration*, and technicians across the system have more than 5 decades of experience and knowledge. Arriving to each job with specialized equipment, chemicals, and resources, let SERVPRO step in and complete the cleanup project as quickly and efficiently as possible. Reach out today.

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