How French Drain Came to Be
French drain prevents problems and improves the performance of your new installation of drainage for foundations.
The Famous French drain
The water in the soil around the foundation should be properly drained to prevent it from leaking into your basement. That's why a perforated drain installed around the house to collect the water and drain.
We frequently use the term "French drain" to describe this installation. Contrary to what the name might suggest, this is not the French who invented the system that our cousins overseas property have invented great things. In fact, already in the days of ancient Rome, drainage systems were used.
So where does this name? In the 1850s, a French gentleman Henry, farmer and judge, has written a very thorough book on the drainage of agricultural fields. These principles have been widely used for the design of drainage of the soil, up to influence the building industry.
Thus, we use the principles of drains to the "French". The terms "French drain" or "weeping tile" should not be used. We should be talking about foundation drainage or "foundation drain" or how to install French drain.
Do not saturate your drain
The drain is designed to absorb a certain amount of water in the soil and not to collect all the water in your field. Some simple and effective measures should be undertaken to avoid saturation of your drain.
First, the ground should slope away from the water in your foundation. To do this, you must be above ground around your home and should go away slightly towards the ends of your property. Often over the years, the ground collapses. One solution is to raise the ground around the house. It should however be careful to release windows. If they are not properly identified, curbs can be added to protect them. While it is difficult or impossible to correct the slope of your land, you can create drainage ditches around the house to direct water to the pits of diffusion.
Then, do not underestimate the tributary water from gutters or other elements. Your roof is a very large area to drain. All the water in it will be collected in gutters and expelled by the weirs. If they are not far enough away from the building, a large amount of water accumulates around your foundation. In other cases, impermeable pavement can also direct a lot of water to the house. Again, a drainage trench could be used as a compromise.
Improvements Recommended for Your Drain
The addition of fire access foundation drain is an interesting improvement and low cost. These fireplaces can be added to an existing system or during repair work. They allow you to access the drain and to know his condition without the need for excavation. The chimneys of access are particularly useful for passing a camera diagnosis or to clean the inside of the pipe with a watering can to pressure, if necessary.
When it comes time to change your drain, it is essential to avoid buying patterns leads come with a sheath of geotextile integrated. This membrane is often poorly suited to the soil and can clog quickly. You might as well have a nine drain that can no longer fulfil its primary function is to say to evacuate the water around your foundation.
Another important element in how to install French drain is the installation of gravel around the drain. It is better to install more gravel than less. The Building Code requires 6 inches of stone above the drain. In fact, at least 8 to 12 inches are recommended. And on this stone should be installed geotextile membrane. All this will increase the drainage area and performance of your system.
Other
new features can also be used as the use of a membrane draining ducts
with rigid walls instead of hoses, etc.. No matter the recipe adopted,
it will adapt to your environment and your needs.how to install french drain
Before concluding, we recall that a drainage system, however good it may be, cannot control a water table too high relative to the base of your foundation. So you must first make sure everything is in order on this side before starting work.