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Today’s French Drain System

Generally a French drain is used today to protect the foundation of a house or other structure from ground or surface water. Good drainage is important to ensure that a home, particularly a basement, stays dry and free of mold. Wet basements and the associated groundwater accumulation are the primary causes of financial, structural integrity and health-related problems for today’s homeowners.

Exterior French drains usually consist of a trench, often lined with landscaping textiles that prevent clogging from dirt or roots, as well as reducing the possibility of the drainage material from migrating , one or two perforated pipes surrounded by gravel, (depending upon sizing and redundancy requirements and always placed perforated side down), and covered with sand for further filtration of sediment. The advantages of an exterior French drainage system are it’s relatively low cost and easy installation, generally low maintenance (a French drain can last up to ten years without maintenance), and the fact that it can be covered inconspicuously with turf to maintain the aesthetic beauty of the landscape.

In addition to their primary function of directing water away from your home, French drains are also environmentally proactive as they can lead to a dry well, a structure that returns excess water to the supply of groundwater, or to a rain garden, an environmentally friendly invention that uses wetland plants to absorb excess water and return it to the atmosphere through transpiration.

Four Common Uses of French Drains

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