The Drain Game: How to Make Water Flow Away
Mud and water can exact a real toll on your home's foundation -- and on your pocketbook. So you can see why proper drainage is vital in protecting your greatest investment. Whether it falls from the sky, emits from leaky plumbing or exudes from soil erosion, unwanted water is a very real threat to real estate. It is essential home owners either maintain an existing drainage system or construct an entirely new one.
Drainage complications can seriously harm the below-grade areas of your home, such as crawl spaces or basements. causing damage to the foundation footing and underground walls. In certain cases, it can even force interior basement walls to bulge in due to the high water pressure caused by underground water pressing in from the outside soil. Water infiltration such as this is a bear to slow down because the ultimate source of the water is very hard to ascertain.
Homeowners who see water in pools outside their home may want to think about putting in french drains. These kinds of drains don't simply carry away nuisance water, they help prevent water damage to basements and foundations.
Usually positioned close to your home, a french drain is normally installed at the lowest point on the property. However, french drainage systems can be installed elsewhere in the yard or property if the troublesome water is not located right by your structure. The end of the line for french drainage systems can be anywhere so long as it ends at a point that will not allow the water to flow back towards your home. If gravity allows, it will go to the street.
The entire french drainage system is not buried very deep underground. But because these types of drains use gravity to help carry water away, it's vital that they be positioned on a downward slope of about an inch downward for every foot forward. In certain scenarios, this may necessitate some additional digging so as to ensure the downward slant.
To sum up, french drains transfer water from a higher area near your home to a lower one nearer the street.
In certain scenarios, french drains may be installed around the outside of a home. The drainage network should ultimately flow out to the street and the sewer system through pipes and sidewalk curb-cutouts.
Drainage complications can seriously harm the below-grade areas of your home, such as crawl spaces or basements. causing damage to the foundation footing and underground walls. In certain cases, it can even force interior basement walls to bulge in due to the high water pressure caused by underground water pressing in from the outside soil. Water infiltration such as this is a bear to slow down because the ultimate source of the water is very hard to ascertain.
Homeowners who see water in pools outside their home may want to think about putting in french drains. These kinds of drains don't simply carry away nuisance water, they help prevent water damage to basements and foundations.
Usually positioned close to your home, a french drain is normally installed at the lowest point on the property. However, french drainage systems can be installed elsewhere in the yard or property if the troublesome water is not located right by your structure. The end of the line for french drainage systems can be anywhere so long as it ends at a point that will not allow the water to flow back towards your home. If gravity allows, it will go to the street.
The entire french drainage system is not buried very deep underground. But because these types of drains use gravity to help carry water away, it's vital that they be positioned on a downward slope of about an inch downward for every foot forward. In certain scenarios, this may necessitate some additional digging so as to ensure the downward slant.
To sum up, french drains transfer water from a higher area near your home to a lower one nearer the street.
In certain scenarios, french drains may be installed around the outside of a home. The drainage network should ultimately flow out to the street and the sewer system through pipes and sidewalk curb-cutouts.
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Want to find out more about drainage in St. Louis? Then visit MPR Supply's website to discover all your options.