French Drains: What Can They Do for Your Home?

Your roof’s gutter system channels water away from your home, effectively preserving the structural integrity of your home’s foundation and the appearance of your landscaping. French drains also do the same thing. A trench is being dug in the grass in front of a building.

What Are French Drains?

The name sounds elegant and sophisticated, but it’s nothing more than a gravel-filled trench with a pipe embedded at the bottom that carries water away from your property. If your gutters collect rainwater moving down your roof’s slope, French drains have the same function, but on the ground level.

What Can They Do for Your Home?

Even after  gutter installation , there can be instances where water collects in a particularly low spot on your property during a rainstorm. A soggy lawn looks unsightly, but prolonged exposure to surface water can cause your landscaping and your foundations to sustain damage. French drains help alleviate the problem by rerouting water flow toward a safe distance away from your home like a storm drain or rain barrel.

For French drains to be effective, they must be sloped in the direction you want the water to go. An inch of slope for every eight feet of the trench is often recommended. As for the pipes to be installed in the trench, the perforated type must be used to ensure unimpeded water flow. Materials like coarse gravel and washed stone are used to cover the pipes up to at least 12 inches.

While French drains can be a great addition for your home, you must also ensure your gutters and your roof perform as intended. As long as they are in top shape, these will continue to protect your property from water damage.

At Patriot Roofing LLC, our goal is to provide the best service possible. Our unrivaled customer commitment is backed by experienced, highly trained crews, our competitive pricing and our dedication to ensuring every project is successful. Whether you require a  roof repair  or gutter replacement, expect our pros to deliver quality workmanship that will help you enjoy living in your home even more.

Call us today at (405) 217-0473, or fill out our  contact form  to request a free estimate. We serve residents of Norman, OK.

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