French Drains in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

      Understanding French Drains

The French Drains are underground drainage systems used by millions of homes and buildings in the United States. They are constructed so that water flows off them in a downpipe, or sewer, and then proceeds to the sewer line.

A French drain is either a single-hole or multiple-hole excavation filled with earth or rock or composed of a perforated drain pipe that directs groundwater away from a site. Drain pipes are commonly made of clay, stone, concrete, asphalt, or vinyl, with some made of iron, copper, or stainless steel.

     Where can you Install Drains? 

Drains are popular for installing in backyards and on patios, but they can also be installed in other areas including front yards. Some homeowners are concerned about the visual appeal of a French drain installation, in Pittsburgh, PA. While they do tend to look old due to the excavating required, the pipes in them are actually very modern and low maintenance. When planning to install a French drain, it's important to determine where it will be located and how it will be oriented. For example, placing the lowest point of the drain near the house will cause the water to exit the property at a higher rate. Professional drain installers can help in this regard efficiently.

Many homeowners prefer French drains because they can install them in places where they aren't feasible to dig. For instance, there are some homes that are not equipped with a sewer system, meaning that a French drain installed at the footer of the foundation will be the only way to remove excess water. If this isn't feasible, then the homeowner may install two feet of French drain in front of the house and two feet behind it for the purpose of removing water from the basement. If two feet behind the house is not feasible, then one foot should be sufficient. In other words, if a homeowner wants to install French drains in the basement, they should place two feet of the drain in front and two feet behind the house.

If you want to contact any drain installers near me in Pittsburgh, you can contact us.

Trench Drains 

In addition to installing French drains, homeowners may also want to consider trench drains. These are pipes that run below ground level and extend into the sewer system. They can be used to dispose of liquids and they also decrease flooding in the home. Today, many French drains are made of steel and they can be purchased in different sizes to fit any size basement. Two-foot trench drains can be found in some hardware stores and they are quite affordable.

Landscape Drains

Another type of French drain that can be installed in the basement is a landscape drain. Landscape drains are used to remove excess water from the basement and it can help improve the landscape of the home. This is particularly beneficial if the homeowner has trees or shrubs on the land that they want to drain. In order to make landscape drains work effectively, it's important that they be placed in strategic locations around the home. For example, if the homeowner wants to drain water from the basement but they are located in an area with a high tree line, then installing landscape drains in such a location will help prevent excessive water from being drained into the basement.

Installing French drains and trench drains properly will ensure that excess groundwater is removed and that the soil surrounding the property is improved. Some homeowners may want to include French drains and trench drains as part of a soil improvement project because they will improve the aesthetic look of the property and they can improve groundwater levels as well. The soil is the foundation upon which the grass and shrubs grow and without proper soil conditions, it's likely that the grass and shrubs will not grow as rapidly or as fully as they could. A properly installed French drain and trench drain system will help the soil to improve and it will also help homeowners meet their groundwater recharge requirements.

In some parts of the country, there is groundwater available that is heavily packed with contaminants. Some groundwater is even radioactive. To help protect the groundwater, homeowners should install a French drain along with a French drain pan so that the French drains will effectively carry any sediment and debris away from the area and prevent it from entering the underground. There are many different types of gravels that can be used for French drains, so it's important that the homeowners select the ones that are best suited for their particular situation.

Homeowners who live in an area where there are trench excavations need to be very careful when digging their French drains because of the potential for soil collapse. For this reason, most experienced contractors will only perform the digging after completing the French drainage themselves. When installing French drains, homeowners should make sure that the drainage holes have been filled in and that no additional soil is added to the drainage holes. Adding soil can actually increase the weight and cost of the drainage system, so it's best to leave it alone. Landowners should contact a reputable landscape contractor in their area to learn more about basement foundation repair near me, and the French drainage system and to learn how they make the best gravel.