What are French Drains and Why You Need Them
A French Drain is a trench that is meant to collect extra moisture found underground. A French Drain is also known by several other names such as blind drain, perimeter drain, rubble drain and land drain among others. This is a vital landscape design feature that is beneficial for both wet areas and those with bad drainage. The more modern approach consists of a perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench. It is covered with a few inches of rock and all encased in landscape fabric. The landscape fabric helps blocks sediment from clogging the pipe.
Landscape drainage is essential, especially around buildings that are constructed in areas of expansive clay soils. This is particularly common in the Dallas metropolitan area. In the absence of a French Drain system, moisture can build up during the wet season and can trigger clay soil to expand. This expansion can lift a home or building’s foundation.