Most yards experience some type of problems with drainage. Unfortunately, many home builders do not put the same care into preparing the site as they do constructing the home, so important issues involving drainage get overlooked. Even when properties are properly graded and prepared, changes over time can lead to problems with drainage, such as erosion, soil compaction, and the death of trees or plants. Over time, drainage problems can intensify erosion, negatively impact your landscaping, and even cause problems for your home’s structure, depending on the location.
Triad Associates installs French drains to help improve drainage in residential and commercial properties. French drains facilitate natural drainage through your yard through a tunnel buried in the ground, surrounded by gravel. The drain doesn’t ruin the aesthetics of the yard or the landscaping, and it doesn’t involve an intensive installation, like concrete drainage pipes and other systems. If you’re experiencing drainage problems, call Triad Associates today to learn more about how French drains may help.
Why Do You Need a French Drain?
You may be experiencing a number of problems that indicate your yard is not draining properly. Some issues you may notice that could be helped by a French drain include:
- Areas of standing water in your yard
- Soggy patches of yard
- Water in your basement or crawl space
You may also benefit from adding a French drain if you have a retaining wall or plan to install one. A French drain would help move water away from the wall so that pressure does not build up over time and undermine the structural integrity of the wall.
A French drain is not the right solution for all drainage issues. It is important that you call Triad Associates and schedule a consultation to learn more about your options. Our drainage experts will perform a site evaluation and recommend solutions that will have the most impact.
Installation Process for a French Drain
Installing a French drain is not a complicated process, which leads many people to believe that they can do it themselves. However, a French drain must be installed precisely, or there are many ways that it can fail with time. It is far better to hire the professionals at Triad Associates to ensure that your time and investment result in a properly installed French drain that will provide flawless performance for many years to come.
The installation process begins with digging a ditch through the area where drainage has been blocked. Any tree roots or plants will be removed, and care will be taken to avoid any potential wires or plumbing lines that are in the area. (These will be marked ahead of time.) A bed of gravel will be laid in the trench, and the perforated pipe will be laid in it. Gravel is poured over the pipe, and the whole area will be covered with dirt. Grass seed or sod can then be put over the dirt.
Additional steps can be taken, such as wrapping the pipe or the entire trench in landscaping cloth. However, these are the basic steps that will give you a French drain that will keep any excess water out of that area of your yard.
Additional Elements for French Drains
Sometimes, additional elements may need to be added to a French drain to optimize its performance. One of the most common elements we add is a catch basin. The pipe connects to the basin, which has a grate on top to catch water directly from the surface, rather than the water draining down through the soil. The basin will then drain out through another pipe or some other mechanism.
French drains may also need to be connected to larger drainage pipes or to a dry creek.
When we perform the site evaluation, we will make recommendations for any additional elements that may need to be connected to the French drain to ensure optimal drainage. Our goal is to help your yard achieve balance so that it gets just the right amount of moisture and nutrients, rather than battling standing water and runoff that hurt the plants and create other problems.
French Drain Maintenance
French drains are installed with longevity in mind. They are in the ground, so they aren’t easy to correct or clean, if it becomes needed. Therefore, we install French drains with the goal of having them perform for many decades without any need of attention.
However, sometimes, drains are challenged or undermined by excessive erosion, storms, and other conditions. They can get clogged with dirt and debris over time. Other times, they can be punctured by roots from nearby trees and shrubs. And, of course, a French drain is only as good as the materials and installation. If there is a French drain on your property that was improperly installed, you may notice drainage issues recurring because the drain has become clogged or has otherwise failed.
The drainage experts at Triad Associates can assess your drain and perform the needed maintenance or corrections to get it working properly again. In cases where the drain has become too worn or damaged over time, we can completely replace it, often using the existing ditch and thereby reducing the installation time and cost.
Call us today if you know you have a French drain but are noticing problems with drainage in the area.
Hire the Haverhill Drainage Professionals at Triad Associates for French Drains and More
The hardscaping professionals at Triad Associates can install a French drain or other solutions to help you control the drainage problems and erosion on your property. We also install retaining walls, which can control erosion that can lead to drainage problems. In many cases, we employ a variety of solutions that will best address the unique needs of the property. In all cases, we apply our expertise and dedication to get superior and long-lasting results.
Call us in Haverhill today to schedule a consultation and site evaluation to learn whether a French drain or other solution will be right for you.
