French Drains For Your Foundation

Suppose you decide to invest in a French Drain. Here is your guide to learning about this timeless marvel used in modern home drainage. Foundation experts agree that installing a French drain may save you from spending on foundation Repair. French drains are not just for older homes; they are for any home that could end up retaining water in the lawn, basement, or crawlspace.

Why you need a French drain

French drains direct water away from your foundation, keeping your home safe from erosion. For instance, the costs of water damage far outweigh the cost of installing a drain. While some homes cannot effectively use a French Drain, for others, it prevents problems ahead of time. Installing a French Drain beforehand ensures you won’t have to worry about taking large measures in the Future. It is practical and easy to maintain, considering it fits your home.

How Does a French Drain Work?

Groundwater and rainwater seep into a perforated drainage pipe covered in gravel to remove debris (except blind French drains). The water flows via gravity and buildup towards a sump pump, which ejects the water away from the foundation. Traditionally, French drains were also perforated but drained solely by gravity. Today, a homeowner can rely on the sump pump, which means less distance is needed to drain the lawn.

Types of French Drains and Systems

If you have a foundation company in mind, they will probably have a specific French drain system they rely upon. There are two main types of systems: the indoor French Drain system, installed around the home’s perimeter near the foundation, and outdoor French drain systems, which originate outdoors. Aside from these two central systems, outdoor French drains include these three types. There are surface French drains installed on the surface, including the perforated pipes. Blind French drains are not perforated and lack grating but are located under a drain, redirecting the water away from the foundation using gravity without the gravel. Trench French drains sit in the ground like a blind French drain but include a gravel-covered drain grate. Depending on your property layout, you can choose one of these systems.

Indoor French Drain System

Indoor French drain systems start under your home’s perimeter and catch the water near the home to prevent water buildup in your crawlspace or basement and water that seeps into the foundation around it. This method works if your house sits at the bottom of one hill but has another decline nearby. Sump pump installation works for homes at the bottom of hills on all sides. Choose this method for homes situated at the bottom of an incline.

Outside French Drain System

The outside French drain is installed somewhere on the property away from the home’s perimeter. This installation method is best for homeowners at the top of a hill or incline. This measure can also be used in addition to the sump pump in a crawlspace to keep water away from the home by covering your outer regions. Standing water on the outside can eventually make its way toward your foundation below the surface, so this method prevents a worse situation from occurring.

French Drain Pros

There are lots of pros to French drains. For one, this solution has the potential to be environmentally friendly with minimal waste. Homes on top of inclines will benefit significantly from this efficient drainage system, and it’s nice for people who want minimalistic drains in their front yards. There are no eyesores here. With minimal installation time, French drains protect your home and crawlspace from long-term damage when installed on the right property. You can say goodbye to standing water, damaged foundations, and soil erosion. With lower costs than other methods, you can easily say “oui” (yes) to French drains.

French Drain Cons

Homes at the bottom of an incline will benefit less from a French drain unless they have a steep decline on the other side of their home. The installation process is quick but high-risk, as it involves a lot of excavation in your front yard. The long-term maintenance includes dealing with mud clogs and debris. The installation, location, and rain levels will determine how much maintenance this property will need. The cost of maintenance heavily depends on the contractor who installs the drains.

When a French Drain is not Needed

Experienced in foundation repair, we look at all the attributes of keeping a foundation intact. First, we determine whether or not a French Drain is needed. Sometimes, a sump pump in your crawlspace is a better choice, and Atlantic Foundation offers sump pump installation in Eastern North Carolina. Finding a reliable foundation repair company is the first step in determining what your crawlspace or property needs to maintain a dry foundation. For a free foundation consultation for homeowners, call Atlantic Foundation today!

FAQ

1. How much does a French Drain Cost? The average cost of a French drain is $5000, ranging from $500 for minimal repairs to $18,000 for installation.

2. Will a French Drain work in my home? It depends on the incline or declines near the house. If your home sits at the bottom of a decline, this option is less likely to solve your problem. Installing a sump pump in your basement or crawlspace is better.

3. How much value will a French Drain add to my home? French drains will not add a lot more value to your home. They are considered home maintenance and do not increase the value of your home too much, but they will reduce the costs of foundation repair.

Sources-

https://www.lawnandlandcare.com/french-drain-work/

https://pipexpressinc.com/french-drain-vs-trench-drain/https://www.therealsealllc.com/blog/how-does-a-french-drain-work/

https://www.basementsystems.com/basement-waterproofing/french-drain.html

https://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/french-drains-are-they-worth-it

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/french-drain-cost/

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/french-drain-cost/

https://www.mrrooter.com/greater-syracuse/about-us/blog/2019/september/everything-you-need-to-know-about-french-drains/