You may have never heard of French drains, but if you own a home and are having problems with unwanted water, you could benefit from having them installed. The idea behind French drains came from a farmer in Concord, Massachusetts named Henry French who promoted his idea for farm drainage in a book he wrote in 1859. A French drain manages water at the ground level and is simply a gravel-lined ditch with an embedded pipe that diverts water away from the home. Because water always takes the easiest path and flows downhill, a French drain provides an easy channel for water to flow through. A French drain could benefit you for several reasons.
- Yard Flooding. If you notice soggy spots in your lawn or next to your home’s foundation due to heavy rain, a French drain will do an excellent job of re-directing it to a different location.
- Soil Erosion. With too much water, the soil around your home may begin to erode, ruining the look of your landscape and harming your lawn and plants.
- Mold Growth. We all know that too much moisture near your foundation or in your basement can cause mold to grow, which may be potentially harmful to your family.
- Economical. French drains have no moving parts and when professionally installed, will last for many years. This type of drainage system will do an outstanding job of preventing water damage and because it is underground, it doesn’t detract from the look of your home.
- Retaining Wall. If your property has a retaining wall, a French drain will help prevent the higher area from becoming flooded by allowing water to drain through specific areas.
If you think your home could benefit from the installation of a French drain, please contact us at Foster’s Home Repair/Seamless Gutters, LLC today!