Hardscaping 101: French Drains – Gardenista

Add the phrase “French” to something and it sounds elegant. This works even with a boring, vaguely hostile phrase like “drain,” a function of your hardscape that you just usually don’t wish to take into consideration; let’s simply hope a drain is doing its job and go away it at that. However a French drain? I need one.

Think about my consternation upon studying that the French drain just isn’t from France in any respect however was really created by an American named Henry French. Within the mid-1800s, French got here up with the concept of leaving a niche between roof tiles to permit water to empty effectively. Thus was born the French drain. You may learn extra about it in French’s seminal 1859 e book, Farm Drainage (does this make him a French writer?), wherein he discusses at size his concepts for draining land “with stones, wooden, plows, and open ditches, and particularly with tiles.” Or we are able to transfer on.

Regardless of its prosaic American previous, the French drain is sort of a helpful methodology of diverting water and stopping floods or runoff. A French drain will be put in on a roof, across the basis of a home, on the base of a retaining wall, across the perimeter of a cellar, or on any slope. The straightforward concept behind a French drain is that this: Dig a trench to channel water downhill and fill the ditch with gravel so the water can filter right down to the underside of the ditch. On the backside set up a pipe to seize water and encourage it to circulate in a path away from a home.

Learn on to search out out if a French drain needs to be a part of your hardscape design.

Pictures by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.

Do I would like a French drain?

In case your basement floods after a rain or your garden feels squishy and moist underfoot, you want higher drainage. Seek the advice of an expert: A civil engineer can decide whether or not the issue is floor runoff or underground water and devise an answer.

Some folks might really feel hiring an engineer is overkill. However as somebody who has put in three French drain methods in three completely different homes, I can attest to the truth that improper set up renders the entire system nugatory. You do not need to pay a handyman or gardener to put in a French drain solely to be taught the following time it rains that you just nonetheless have a flooding downside as a result of … properly, possibly the ditch wasn’t deep sufficient. Or the drain’s location was fallacious. Or the pipe is getting clogged by roots. Or the pipe is overflowing as a result of it’s not sufficiently big to deal with the water circulate. I may go on and on, however frankly, I’ve spent too a few years attempting to repress these reminiscences to unleash them now. Please. Seek the advice of an expert.

What are alternate options to a French drain?

Generally a sump pump is required, notably if water is seeping into an area under grade (resembling a basement or crawl house). When you set up a sump pump in a specifically constructed pit, it may well seize water and direct it outdoor to stop dampness and flooding elsewhere in a basement. Seek the advice of a drainage specialist for recommendation.

Gutters and downspouts can direct water away from a home, as properly. For extra data, see Hardscaping 101: Rain Gutters.

What are the elements of a French drain system?

Principally, you might want to dig a trench on an angle to make sure that water will run downhill. Then lay a size of perforated pipe on the backside, and fill the ditch with gravel. That is your French drain system. You may go away it uncovered, or you may cowl it with a grille or different ornamental ingredient should you want.

Can I set up my very own French drain?

When you wish to dig limitless backbreaking trenches, then sure, you may set up your personal French drain. However usually talking, you might be higher off consulting a specialist who will know—primarily based in your specific water scenario—how deep to dig, how sharply to angle the ditch, and the place to direct the runoff.

Typically, French drains direct water to the road, a drainage ditch, or a dry properly. If in case you have a low-lying pond in your property, this additionally could possibly be a vacation spot.

How a lot does a French drain price?

Hiring somebody to put in an outside French drain prices on common $25 per linear foot in a trench that’s one to 2 toes deep and from six to 18 inches huge, in accordance with Costhelper.

When you set up your personal out of doors French drain (which as you already know I don’t advocate), the labor is free and the price of development supplies will embody crushed rock for about $2 per sq. foot; PVC pipe and fittings, and rental charges for tools: a compactor rents for $65 to $85 per day. A trencher prices $50 to $80 to lease for half a day, and a small backhoe prices $150 to $200 a day to lease, in accordance with Doityourself.
If putting in a French drain indoors in a basement, costs will differ extensively relying on the scale of the basement; count on to pay $2,000 to $6,000 to chop a channel across the perimeter and fill it with gravel, says Costhelper. (Including a sump pump and basin will set you again one other $10,000 to $15,000.)

N.B.: This put up is an replace; it was first printed September 2018.

Feeling drained? Or are you impressed to deal with extra initiatives? See our curated design guides to Hardscape 101, together with Decks & Patios and Fences & Gates. Learn extra:

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