If you get a lot of rain where you live, there is always a chance you will have flooding in your home. To take care of this, you should consider installing a French drain. Below is information on what this is as well as some benefits of installing one.

French Drain

The main job of a French drain is to divert water away from your home to another location. To install the French drain, the contractor digs a trench that is a few feet deep along the slope on your property. Perforated piping is placed inside the trench, and then gravel is laid over the piping. The gravel holds the piping in place and prevents debris and mud from getting into the trench.  A drain is connected to the perforated piping, which is what diverts the water. When the contractor is finished, they put topsoil over the piping so it will not be seen. 

Water can be diverted to a low area on your property, a dry creek bed, a drainage ditch, or the street. The contractor will determine the best place for the water to go.  Because it is important that the French drain be installed correctly, it is best to hire a professional to do this job for you.

Benefits of a French Drain

There are many benefits of installing a French drain. If your home has a basement, a French drain will prevent water from getting into it. When a basement just gets a small amount of water mold and mildew can grow, which is another problem you would have to take care of. Also, flooring and walls can be damaged by excessive water. 

A French drain protects your home's foundation. Without a French drain, water will pool around the foundation. If this happens a lot, the foundation will shift as the soil will become unstable. Your lawn will also stay drier so you can turn the area into a play area or plant a flower or vegetable garden without worrying about mud. 

In most cases, French drains are not expensive to install. This is especially true if the contractor does not have to excavate around things like decks or walkways. The French drain can generally be installed in one day and you won't have to worry about large trucks excavating your property. 

The contractor that you hire can give you much more information on installing French drains, as well as more benefits this offers you.

For more information on French drain installation, contact a company near you.