- They Don’t Work in All Types of Soil Most importantly, French drains won’t work in all parts of the country.
- There are three types of dirt possible on your property: loose dirt made of sand particles, average dirt made of loam (a mixture of sand, silt, and clay), and compacted, heavy dirt made of clay particles.
Besides, Should you buy a house with a French drain? “A French drain is a worthwhile investment if it will help protect your home and yard. If installed correctly, it shows prospective buyers that you took care of your home and were willing to invest in the right projects to maintain it,” Carson adds.
Do French drains cause mold?
An exterior French drain is used to direct water away from your basement, preventing it from seeping through the walls and causing mold and moisture damage.
Why do French drains fail? Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
Hence, Which is better sump pump or French drain? Sump pumps offer a few key advantages over french drains. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the amount of water they can pump and drain. Pumps like the Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate can drain up to 43 gallons of water per hour at a 5′ head height – something that french drains can’t compete with!
How far away from a house should a French drain be?
How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio, basement and deck before installing the french drain system.
Why would someone install a French drain?
If you are facing recurrent drainage issues on your property, you may need a French drain to effectively remove that excess water and get it away from your foundation. Avoiding damage to your property, particularly your foundation and basement, is the main purpose of a French drain.
Which is better French drain or trench drain?
The main difference between the two is that French drains capture and remove groundwater while trench drains quickly remove surface water before it can saturate the ground.
Why do french drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
Do french drains attract mosquitoes?
As great as french drains are for moving water, the water basins that serve as inlets are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos. They are dark, wet, and usually undisturbed except during a rainfall.
How close can a French drain be to a house?
How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio, basement and deck before installing the french drain system.
Do French drains get clogged?
But, just like any other type of drain, French drains are susceptible to clogging. Soil and debris have a tendency to build up inside the pipes, eventually stopping water from flowing altogether. To avoid letting water back up into your home, follow this French drain cleaning guide.
How close to a house should a French drain be?
How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio, basement and deck before installing the french drain system.
Do French drains work in the winter?
A French drain will work fine in a cold environment. The French drain must be placed below the frost line for it to work properly in these bitter cold environments. This is critical for the drain to work all year round, without obstructions such as freezing.
Does a French drain need to be cleaned?
Despite the design’s best efforts, French drains get clogged by dirt, debris and silt. They do need to be cleaned out regularly – about once per year – to ensure that they continue to direct water away from the building’s foundation. The best way to clean a French drain is mechanically, using an electric snake.
Can a French drain cause a sinkhole?
When should you use a French drain?
French Drains are primarily used to drain groundwater from gardens and around the foundations of buildings. French drains are designed to move water that is trapped in the ground away or towards an area. They are best used in soil that is prone to frequent saturation from rain or flooding.
What can go wrong with a French drain?
Clogs. One of the biggest problems with French drains is that the pipes can become filled with silt, sediment and other debris, causing water to overflow or even backflow from the pipes and into the house. Cleaning the pipes is a costly job as they will need to be dug up.
Do French drains need to be cleaned?
Despite the design’s best efforts, French drains get clogged by dirt, debris and silt. They do need to be cleaned out regularly – about once per year – to ensure that they continue to direct water away from the building’s foundation.
Do French drains attract termites?
French Drains Keep the Termites at Bay Wet soil that’s in contact with wood keeps any wooden posts or piers damp and invites lots of termite chewing. Install French drains in areas around your home and decking where the soil remains wet.
Do French drains attract bugs?
Long ago, I discovered the value of french drains in preventing standing water in a yard. This is especially true when the lawn has a significant amount of clay in the soil. As great as french drains are for moving water, the water basins that serve as inlets are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos.
