A French drain is simply a ditch that is covered with gravel or rock so that water can be led away from a specific area. In this case, the area that water is being led away from is the foundation of your home. There are also other methods used in French drains. For example, hollow pipes may be installed along the bottom for the water that seeps through the gravel. That way the water does not seep into the ground.
It is very important that the water not seep into the ground near a foundation for the fact that the foundation can become damaged from too much water exposure. There is also the fact that the soils beneath and around the foundation can become severely compromised. When the soils become too wet too often, they expand and they contract as they are wetted and they dry. Over time, this places pressure upon certain places in the foundation and the foundation will crack.
Although it seems as if nature is really working against you, the French drain can eliminate or minimize damage. Their main function is to keep surface water from damaging the foundations of structures.
In the construction of a French drain, there is the ditch and the gravel with the possible hollow pipes to keep water out of the ground. Landscaping textiles may also be used to keep the water from leaking through to the ground. They are also used to keep any sort of growth from making its way into the drainage system. Any obstructions within the drain can cause the water to build up behind that obstruction and cause it to overflow into the very area that you are trying to keep it away from.
Fortunately, French drains are so versatile that they enable you to do what is necessary to keep them free from debris and keep water away from your foundation so that you do not have to worry about water damage occurring or the soils beneath your foundation shifting to the point that they cause thousands of pounds of pressure upon various areas of your foundation. French drains are relatively inexpensive to build and can keep you from having to pay thousands of dollars in repairs in the future. In other words, this is a very reasonable investment to make.
French drains can also be designed to collect surface water and run-off so that all water can be diverted away from your home's foundation. Make sure you study how water behaves around your home so that you can properly divert it away. This can also reduce flooding if the area around your home is prone to floods. This can be done by diverting the water away to an area where it can flow freely away.
So if you notice that too much water is accumulating around your home when it rains, it is important to install a French drain as soon as possible so that damage does not occur to your foundation or so that the damage can be stopped in its tracks. You'll save thousands of dollars in potential repairs.
It is very important that the water not seep into the ground near a foundation for the fact that the foundation can become damaged from too much water exposure. There is also the fact that the soils beneath and around the foundation can become severely compromised. When the soils become too wet too often, they expand and they contract as they are wetted and they dry. Over time, this places pressure upon certain places in the foundation and the foundation will crack.
Although it seems as if nature is really working against you, the French drain can eliminate or minimize damage. Their main function is to keep surface water from damaging the foundations of structures.
In the construction of a French drain, there is the ditch and the gravel with the possible hollow pipes to keep water out of the ground. Landscaping textiles may also be used to keep the water from leaking through to the ground. They are also used to keep any sort of growth from making its way into the drainage system. Any obstructions within the drain can cause the water to build up behind that obstruction and cause it to overflow into the very area that you are trying to keep it away from.
Fortunately, French drains are so versatile that they enable you to do what is necessary to keep them free from debris and keep water away from your foundation so that you do not have to worry about water damage occurring or the soils beneath your foundation shifting to the point that they cause thousands of pounds of pressure upon various areas of your foundation. French drains are relatively inexpensive to build and can keep you from having to pay thousands of dollars in repairs in the future. In other words, this is a very reasonable investment to make.
French drains can also be designed to collect surface water and run-off so that all water can be diverted away from your home's foundation. Make sure you study how water behaves around your home so that you can properly divert it away. This can also reduce flooding if the area around your home is prone to floods. This can be done by diverting the water away to an area where it can flow freely away.
So if you notice that too much water is accumulating around your home when it rains, it is important to install a French drain as soon as possible so that damage does not occur to your foundation or so that the damage can be stopped in its tracks. You'll save thousands of dollars in potential repairs.
About the Author
Craig Powers is the owner & CEO of Power Jack Foundation Repair, a Texas-based residential foundation repair company serving Dallas/ Fort Worth, and the greater DFW since 1991. For more information on foundation repair services check out http://www.PJFR.com
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