A Nashville Drainage Contractor Explains When to Use a French Drain
As much as we love our vibrant greenery and lush lawns in Nashville, TN, it’s all the rain we get that enables us to enjoy the outdoors. But the significant rainfall does come with some drawbacks.
Soggy ground and stagnant pools of rainwater can put a real damper on how much time you want to spend in your yard. Getting your shoes wet every time you go outside is no fun and water that sits for too long can provide an environment for mosquitoes to multiply. A local Nashville drainage contractor explains why A French drain may be the solution you need to enjoy your property more, even after heavy rain.
French Drain Defined
A French drain is a type of drain that relies on gravity, perforated materials, and gravel to direct underground water flow away from structures such as houses or other buildings to prevent water-related damage. Because of the complicated nature of the installation process, particularly the need to ensure that the downward grading is done correctly, French drains are usually only installed by an experienced drainage contractor.
Definition of a French drain
Gravity is important with this type of drain: if the area it sits on isn’t graded to slope away from the structure, water could flow back toward the structure or sit and stagnate, which can result in a strong odor.
The perforated materials include the pipe itself, as well as geotextile fabric. Both of these materials have small holes to gradually let little amounts of water drain out as the water flows away from the structure, also helping to prevent erosion of the surrounding earth.
French drains are incredibly useful for retaining walls and home foundations, but due to the requirement for a steady downward slope and proper installation of all the materials, they can be complicated to install on your own.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before a French Drain Installation
To determine whether a French drain is the best choice for your needs, consider asking yourself some questions about your yard, your home, and the excavation laws for your area.
Questions to ask yourself before a french drain installation
Does My Yard Have Surface Water After It Rains?
If you have to walk through a soggy yard every time you go outside after a storm, a French drain could be a good solution for stopping further water damage to your property. Not only is stagnant water unpleasant to look at, it can ruin your lawn, kill ornamental plants, and cause the ground to become uneven. Surface water can also be a symptom of bigger problems so it’s a wise choice to look into solutions that can reroute surplus water away to a more desirable location.
Does My Property Have a Retaining Wall Built Into a Slope?
Retaining walls are great features, especially in the Nashville, TN area, where the land can be hilly and the extensive rainfall can cause soil erosion over time. However, retaining walls can also alter the flow of surface water, and if they aren’t installed correctly, can potentially direct water too near to your house.
If you don’t have a retaining wall, adding one to your yard can help prevent erosion and work in conjunction with a French drain to redirect that water to the street or another area away from your home. This can significantly reduce the chance of any water damage to your foundation, crawlspace, or basement.
There are other advantages to retaining walls, including their unique and aesthetically pleasing look and the amount of usable, flat surfaces they can add to your yard.
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Is Water Getting Into My Basement or Damaging My Foundation?
Water seeping into your basement or crawl space is certainly a cause for concern. Not only can this water stain the walls and damage furniture, it can also cause structural damage to your foundations. Groundwater exposure will rot wood and erode concrete over time, possibly leading to you requiring architectural repairs. And mold and mildew, which thrive in warm and damp conditions, can cause serious health problems and be very difficult to get rid of once they get going in your house.
Because every type of mold can cause health problems, regardless of whether it produces mycotoxins, the Tennessee Department of Health won’t even test homes to determine the type of mold. If any mold is there, it is potentially dangerous and action must be taken to remove it from your home.
If you choose to install a French drain, you can put a stop to these issues before they get out of hand. Even if you have a newer home without any visible water leaks, installing a French drain can prevent these problems from ever taking place.
Do I Need To Get Permission Before Digging
Yes, you will need to check with the state before installing a French drain. Tennessee law requires that anyone planning an excavation project call 811 before breaking ground. This is to prevent the potential danger associated with digging underground where you can’t see what you might hit until after the damage has been done.
Calling ahead of time allows the state to determine what electrical lines or other underground systems may be in the area. If you live in a community with a homeowner’s association, you’ll also need to find out if you need their permission before starting on this project.
Should I Install a French Drain Myself or Hire a Drainage Contractor?
At Greenway, our drainage contractors are experienced in these processes and familiar with Nashville, TN and the surrounding areas, so if the installation process and accompanying paperwork sounds like a hassle, we can take care of the whole process.
We’re well-known for how highly we prioritize our clients’ design preferences and vision for each project, so if you’re wondering whether a French drain may benefit your Nashville, TN property, contact us for a free quote today. We can answer your questions and help you decide on the most effective drainage solution for your property.
