French Drains

What are French drains?

French drains are an American invention made famous by Henry Flagg French in the nineteenth century. It is a system that removes surface-level water from within homes and in yards through a guttering system that is placed underground.

How do French drains work?

A French drain is basically a trench put in your yard that pushes water away from your home. The first point of entry is a drain at a higher location than the remaining pipes of the system, so water comes in and is directed down to an exit point far away from your home. How, you might ask? It’s simple — gravity! As water comes into the drain and flows down and away from your home, this prevents water from saturating the ground or entering your home at the same time (in places like foundation cracks). Because the exit point for a French drain needs to be low-lying and far away, the most common places to vent water out are:

• Drainage ditches

• The street

• A dry well

• A storm drain

• Any low-lying spot on your property

How do I know if I need a French drain?

If you are experiencing any of the following, a French drain installed by our experienced team of contractors in Washington, D.C. may be the perfect option for you:

• Water is entering your crawl space or basement

• Your driveway or yard has standing water

• You are building a retaining wall

In these situations, water is likely to pool in the wrong place, which can lead to additional problems such as mold or damage to the structure of your foundation.

Why should I choose a French drain?

• They provide a highly efficient way of piping water away from your property.

• They’re affordable, especially compared to fixing water damage on the structure of your home.

• Our team of French drain installation contractors in Washington, D.C. can install the entire system quickly and effectively. French drains can be challenging to install in DIY fashion, so one of our experienced professionals can install it for you with ease.

• Installing one will help prevent the need for expensive work to your foundation, lawn, or basement later on.

Ultimately, a French drain is an effective and simple solution for preventing water buildup, which is critical for a lot of houses in Washington, D.C. (especially during the rainy seasons!). It will help keep your basement and yard looking neat, and also helps to prevent major structural damage to your home down the line. Contact Bluestone Foundation Repair in Washington, D.C. today for a free consultation from our team of contractors, and let us get your French drain up and running today!