Are there permanent damp spots on your property? Do you always find water in your basement or storage after heavy rain? It might be the result of broken pipes or gaps in the walls where water can pass through. Nonetheless, never think that it is impossible to fix such a problem. These kinds of issues can be solved by some of the simplest solutions. One such solution would be the utilization of French drains. With one of these on your property, you can say farewell to those pesky water problems.
What Is A French Drain?
A French drain is a kind of trench. You fill the structure with aggregate, plus a perforated pipe under a gravel layer. The entire thing will filter and redirect stormwater and subsoil away from your property. The water will then go to:
- A low area outside your property
- A drainage ditch
- A nearby street
- A dry well
Why Build One?
The reason why you build a French drain is to get rid of any surface water building up against a house’s walls. It would be best not to ignore this water build-up. If you do, the water will eventually cause dampening inside the walls, making them weak. The build-up also affects mortar joints. In addition, stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. If you do not get rid of the water, you will soon end up with a mosquito swarm that’s hard to control. You can also install a French drain for your basement that has water problems.
French Drain: DIY Or To Hire A Professional?
You have two options to have a French drain on your property. You can either make one as a do-it-yourself job, or you can ask for professional assistance. Here are the advantages of both methods:
As a do-it-yourself endeavor
- You do not have to worry about extreme costs
- You can get a friend or family member to help out
- It will cost you at least $200 for all the materials you will use for the job
- You have the liberty to purchase materials and equipment you desire
- You can work on the drain with no time constraints
When hiring a professional company
- You can skip the work entirely by allowing the workers to do the job instead
- A contractor will provide all the materials and equipment
- A company will update you daily with a progress report
When It Comes To Expenses
No doubt working on a French drain without experts giving you a hand costs less. You will only have to spend at least $200 for everything you need to get the job done. But if you decide to hire a contracting company, this expense will climb. It would be best to look for a company that offers deals and discounts as a part of their services. You will save some cash once you do that.
Speaking Of Professionals
You will not need to spend a lot of time going to physical offices to inquire about a service. What you can do is head online instead. The internet has thousands of websites you can visit anytime to find out about French_drain and other related services. Make sure that the company you will hire is licensed and bonded. Doing so will spare you from potential scammers who deal with inadequate service.
A Couple Of Things To Consider
- A French drain will release tons of loose dirt afterward. You will have to find a permanent place for the excess material.
- You can utilize a trench digger to make the work way faster.
- You may utilize the harvested water for gardening purposes. Place a catchment barrel at the end of your drain if you wish to do so.
- There are available flexible perforated pipes in most shops. They are an excellent alternative to wrapping such a structure in landscaping fabric.
- You can also rent out a trenching tool. Doing so cuts trench cutting time. Cutting a trench by hand will last for more than five hours. A trenching tool will lower that time to an hour at best.
The Takeaway
A French drain is one of the best ways to prevent water build-up on your property. With one, you can prevent mosquito breeding grounds from occurring, and you can save your walls and foundations from wearing down. The best part about French drains is that you can make such a structure as a DIY project. But if you have no time to make one, you can always ask a professional contracting company to do the job on your behalf.
