What are French Drains

Many people who hear the word French drain, mistakenly think that it is a drain commonly used in France. However, this is not the case, as the French drain was actually invented in the United States. In the state of Massachusetts, it gets its name not from the country it came from, but from the man who invented it, Henry Flagg French.

A French drain is used to redirect water away from an area where it is not wanted, such as the basement or other low spots on your property. By directing the water away, it helps keep the basement dry. It can also be used on lawn or landscaping low spots.

A French drain is made by digging a trench from where the low lying area is, to the spot where you would like to redirect the water. It must have a slight slope in order for it to drain properly. Often this is toward the curb or street area of your property. The drain can also be directed to a dry well, if one has been installed. A dry well is a large barrel buried into the ground; the barrel has holes in it that allow the water to come out and be absorbed into the soil around it.

Once the trench is dug, it is lined with landscape fabric. A perforated pipe is then placed in the trench; this is the pipe that will direct the water away from the problem area. Next, gravel is placed around the sides and top of the pipe. Finally, the trench is covered with soil.

Once the French drain is in place, water from the low-lying area will fill the pipe and be taken away to an area where it will not do damage to the house or lawn.