French Drains
Traditional French drains are basically trenches that are dug and filled with gravel or crushed rock then covered with soil. They have been improved upon over the years by laying a landscape type fabric lining on the bottom and sides of the trench and installing perforated PVC pipe under the gravel.
The purpose of French drains is to reroute water from an area where it is not wanted to another location. For example, if a low lying area in a lawn is the problem, you would begin digging the trench in that area and gradually make it deeper until you reach the place where you want the water to drain, such as a ditch.
French Drain Maintenance
French drains generally do not require maintenance. They do, however, eventually become clogged. Water draining through the trench carries sediment with it. That sediment lodges between the gravel and, over time, completely clogs the drain. When that happens, the gravel or crushed rock must be dug out of the trench and cleaned. The pipe, if used, must be checked for clogs and any blockage cleared before replacing the gravel. This can be quite a job, especially when lawn or landscaping has been planted over the drain.
The Cost of a French Drain
The cost of installing a French drain depends on the cost of materials in the area where you live. If a homeowner installs it, the cost will include the cost of rental equipment, such as a trench digger and a compactor, and the cost of the pipe and crushed rock or gravel. If a professional is hired to install the drain, the cost can be anywhere from ten to thirty dollars per foot. The longer the trench and the harder the ground is to dig, as would be the case in clay or rocky areas, the higher the cost.
Read more about the cost of a french drain.
French drains are useful for correcting water drainage problems. Once they clog up, however, it takes a lot of manual labor to repair them. There are other drainage field options available that cost less and last longer. An expert should be consulted before making a decision on correcting water drainage problems so that available options and their costs can be evaluated.
Installing a French Drain
If you are ready to install a french drain you need to decide if installation is something you can handle on your own or if you feel that a professional would be better suited to get the job done. Read more about how to install a french drain and decide if this is something you are able to do.