Drainage is one of the most crucial, yet commonly underrated aspects of landscaping. The lack of proper drainage will render your lawn prone to waterlogging, especially after heavy rains. With that said, installing French drains is one of the best methods to correct drainage issues. Other common drainage systems aren’t suitable for dealing with dips in the land surface that might cause water to accumulate. At DNS Sprinkler and Drainage, our professionals offer expert French drain installation services.
What is a French drain?
Let’s first get a clear idea of what we mean by a French drain. In simple words, it’s a fancy ditch with sloped edges to drain away accumulated water. We mention fancy because a French drain looks much more aesthetically pleasing than a regular drain dug into the soil. They’re usually lined and/or overlaid with rocks and gravels that keep the actual drainage system out of sight.
Water permeates through the rocks and gravels, entering a drain pipe set at an angle beneath them. It’s usually a perforated pipe laid along the length of the area that needs to be drained. The pipe then carries the water all the way to a designated drainage area.
Reasons to consider installing a French drain
Now, leading landscape drainage and irrigation companies like us can provide you with a wide range of drainage options for your lawn. This might make you wonder how installing French drains in particular can benefit you. Here’s how:
- French drains prevent standing water
The primary purpose of a French drain is to prevent standing water, and that’s the biggest reason to install one. If you hear squelching sounds when walking on your lawn, there’s clearly a drainage issue. The excess water can eventually damage your home’s foundation through repeated changes in pressure.
- They’re aesthetically appealing
A well-designed French drain installed by skilled professionals also doubles as a hardscaping element. As I mentioned earlier, these drains remain covered by rocks and gravel. Anybody who’s unaware of the drain likely won’t even notice it as a drainage system. Instead, it would look like a nice lining of rocks along the edge of the landscaped area. You can even let low-lying plants grow on these rocks to add an even more natural look.
- French drains are cost-effective
French drains are quite cost-effective, and you’ll be able to get the job done at a reasonable price. Of course, it would depend largely on the contractor you choose. Even the most affordable drainage installation work can become expensive if you hire a contractor with overpriced services. However, the overall design of a French drain makes it a budget-friendly option.
- Helps control erosion
Did you know that French drains can also protect your lawn from erosion? With water seeping into the drain and getting carried away instantly, it won’t slide across your landscaped lawn during heavy rainfalls. This would protect your topsoil from getting washed away by the water.
Hire experienced French drain installation services
If you’re thinking about installing a French drain, get in touch with us at DNS Sprinkler and Drainage. We’ll check out your property and build a customized French drain for it. Give us a call at (210) 765-8667, or click here to leave your contact details if you have any queries.