Types of Residential Drainage Systems:
- Surface Drainage Systems: These systems remove excess water from the surface of the land (e.g., from rain or irrigation).
- Grated/Channel Drains (Trench Drains)
- Long, narrow drains with grates over them.
- Common in driveways, patios, and pool areas.
- Swales
- Shallow, vegetated channels that guide water away from structures.
- Eco-friendly, often used in landscaping..
- Gutters and Downspouts
- Direct roof runoff to the ground and away from foundations
- Grated/Channel Drains (Trench Drains)
- Subsurface (French) Drainage Systems: These systems manage water below the surface, preventing soil saturation and foundation damage.
- French Drains
- Perforated pipes surrounded by gravel, buried underground.
- Used to redirect water from foundations or soggy yards.
- Dry Wells
- Underground pits filled with gravel or rock that collect and disperse water deep into the ground.
- Sump Pump Systems
- Used in basements and crawlspaces.
- Pumps out collected water from a sump pit to the outside.
- French Drains
- Downspout Drainage Systems: These are extensions or underground systems connected to downspouts to carry roof runoff away from the house.
- Splash Blocks
- Concrete or plastic blocks placed under downspouts to direct flow away.
- Buried Downspout Extensions
- PVC or corrugated piping buried underground to move water further from the home.
- Splash Blocks
- Grading and Sloping: Not a “system” in the mechanical sense, but proper yard grading is essential to prevent water accumulation near the house. The soil should slope away from the foundation (usually 1 inch per foot for at least 6 feet).
- Catch Basins and Storm Drains
- Collect surface runoff in low areas and direct it through pipes to a municipal drain system or discharge point.
Some Visual Examples of Various Drainage Systems
The Need for French Drains
Are you finding water pooling on your lawn? Or maybe there’s a bit too much moisture for comfort around your home’s foundation. A French drain system could be the solution. It’s a simple yet versatile bit of landscaping that can be used to drain standing water from problem areas in your yard or around your foundation. It’s essentially a buried pipe that leads water down a slope.
Typical French Drainage System
Marcelo came highly recommended by Kopp Construction Company. His professional conduct, positive attitude and respectful crew are reliably responsive, maintain high standards of order of operations to keep work area clean, and deliver quality service at a reasonable fee. We initially planned to complete the project on our own, but it was a huge relief to defer to the expertise and assurance from Beaver Landscape. They not only exceeded our expectations for a new backyard, but finished the project faster than thought possible. We strongly encourage everyone to experience the freedom to have wishes come true and work with Beaver Landscape Concepts.