What is a French Drain?

The French drain was invented in the 1800s by a man named Henry French and it’s still a widely used solution for drainage today. This landscape feature consists of trenches that slope away from your home, carrying water to the street or other low-lying part of your property. They’re generally filled with gravel, pebbles or other materials to help prevent them from getting clogged.

Keep reading to learn more about this drainage system as you work to protect your home from water damage.

The Benefits of French Drains

As you know, gutters are designed to direct water away from your roof but they aren’t great at managing that water once it reaches the ground. This can cause water to leak into your basement or crawl space. French drains collect surface water and groundwater and redirect it elsewhere to prevent standing water.

Without standing water on your property, there’s less risk of soil erosion, water infiltration, mold, and pests. Plus, you’ll grow a healthy lawn your family and pets can enjoy.

French drains also boost curb appeal. So if you’re looking to sell your property in the future, they may help your listing stand out from the rest.

How do you know if you need a French Drain?

• You have a soggy yard
• Standing water
• Water is getting into your basement or crawl space
• Your foundation is starting to crack

Experts in French Drain Installation

Dealing with water damage is a real nightmare.

With as much rainfall as we experience here in the Portland metro area, it’s important to have proper drainage and implement basement waterproofing.

Installing a French drain can be an excellent addition to your property if you’ve been having problems with standing water.

The team at Masonry Waterproofing & Drainage Masters is highly experienced in French drain installations. We’ve served the greater Portland OR and Vancouver WA area for over 30 years. Contact us if you’re interested in having a French drain installed and to receive your free estimate!