Construction & Contractors Blog
If you have a problem with water drainage around your property, then you may notice water entering your basement after it rains. You may also see water collecting in puddles. If you notice these things, or if the water table is simply high near your home, then you should invest in a french drain that will help to move water away from your house. This helps to reduce basement flooding concerns. Many homeowners choose to install french drains themselves. This is often a good idea to save money. However, you may make a common mistake during the planning and installation process. Keep reading to learn about a few of these mistakes so they can be avoided
Draining To A Neighbor's Property
Most homeowners will position perforated french drain pipes away from their homes. In many cases, the drain is positioned perpendicular to the house so the drain forces water over the edge of the property line. This may mean that you are sending the excess fluid directly onto your neighbor's property. A wet property is most often caused by clay soil or a high water table. Your neighbor will have the same drainage issues as you. Forcing water onto their property will likely increase their drainage problem, and water will pool on the lawn. Your neighbor can actually sue you if you do this. Your neighbor will need to prove that you altered your property in an unreasonable way and that the alteration caused water damage. During a lawsuit, the neighbor will also need to show proof that the drain has caused damage and has been a nuisance to them. The neighbor may or may not have a strong legal case against you, but lawyer fees can quickly add up and are best avoided.
Instead of positioning your drain towards the edge of your property, look for another good drainage location. A large grassy area that sits away from your home and receives full sun all day is a good choice. You can also have the drain empty at the road so the municipal storm drainage system can take care of the water for you. If you need to divert water to a specific area, you should install the perforated pipe so it sits perpendicular to your home. At the end of the piping section, install a solid corrugated pipe. This pipe will collect the water from the drain and carry it away to the specified drainage area.
Forgetting The Landscape Fabric
French drains are installed in layers once the initial drain trench is constructed. This allows water to drain effectively so it can move into the perforated pipe. Once the large hole is formed for the drain, a layer of washed gravel is placed in the opening. The perforated pipe is set over the gravel. A piece of landscape fabric is placed over the pipe, another layer of gravel is secured, and the rest of the hole is filled in with soil. In many cases, homeowners understand the need for the pipe and the gravel. However, they may not know how important the landscape fabric is, and it may not be placed over the pipe.
If landscape fabric does not cover the perforated pipe, silt and dirt can work its way down through the gravel and fill in the holes in the pipe. This will block water from entering the channel, and water will begin to pool and drain near your house once again. The landscape fabric prevents the holes from becoming clogged by collecting the dirt before it can enter the perforated holes. When you choose the type of fabric to install along the french drain, just make sure to opt for a woven variety. Woven fabrics will have small holes across the material that allow water to drain through.
For more information and tips, you may want to work with a local drainage company like Perma-Dry Waterproofing & Drainage, Inc.
Share17 May 2016
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
