How to Use a French Drain to Keep a Lawn Looking Great
There are a few different major uses for a French drain.
Keeping a lawn in order is a tough job. Thankfully, there are many different tools that help achieve this. One of these tools is the French drain, which has been around since the 1800s when Henry French made the first one out of roofing tiles. Two hundred years later, they are still in use (although now most people use pipes). The basic idea behind a French drain is that a pipe is laid down in a trench to catch water, which can then be sent anywhere. Being able to control the water like this is very important because otherwise the water simply follows the path of least resistance and runs down the hill, taking out plants and shrubs along with it.
French drain uses
There are a few different major uses for a French drain. Putting one around a house stops water from getting into the basement, or putting it next to a retaining wall prevents water damage from washing away the wall along with the garden or yard. Not only can a French drain protect the property, it can also become a beautiful part of the landscaping. A good landscaping team can use the drain to build into the dynamic of the land.
How it works
A French drain collects water from around it and leads the water in any direction one might need. The pipe is placed in a trench filled with gravel. Water seeps inside of this gravel where the perforated pipe is placed. The gravel helps to filter the water in without letting too much dirt or debris come through into the pipe as well. The trench is lead around the edges of retaining walls, the house, or garden and sent to a safe spot. Some people like to cover the trench up afterward, but having a line of gravel around a wall or garden can serve to add character to the yard, so many opt to leave it as is.
Benefits
To decide if a yard could benefit from a French drain, there are a few simple steps. First, French drains are best used to redirect water, and for decoration second. They are only necessary if the yard or home suffers from water damage. This would look like water seeping into a basement, garden, or other parts of the yard continually getting washed out each time it rains. If a property has these problems, a French drain might be the perfect solution. Think of it like a gutter for a yard. It serves to catch that overflow of water and send it to somewhere where it can’t damage a lawn or home.
If a homeowner is considering a French drain, it’s best to consult a professional to advise on whether or not it is necessary and what steps must be taken next.
Epic Lawns LLC provides top-quality lawn care and landscaping installation and maintenance to property owners in St. Charles, St. Louis, and Lincoln Counties. Call Epic Lawns at (636) 445-0824.
