A French drain is used to help drain water away from an area. It is basically a ditch lined with rocks or gravel. Generally, it is utilized to protect the foundation of a house or any structure from both ground and surface water. It is also good for gardening, as a backup for retaining walls and for draining water away from a septic tank.

These drains work on the principle of gravity. They are installed slightly sloped down from the area to be drained to the area where one wants to redirect the water. With this, excess ground and surface water goes into the drain and is directed away. To prevent dirt or plant roots from clogging the system, the drain is typically lined with perforated clay pipe and is surrounded with a landscaping textile.

Most of the drains are installed well underground and completely hidden from view. Usually, it is being covered with sod and leads to a dry well which returns the excess water to the supply of groundwater, sometimes to a rain garden. A rain garden is an invention that uses wetland plants for absorbing excess water and returning it to the atmosphere through the process of transpiration.

To easily understand the concept of French drains and how they work, think of it as a shallow drainage system. This is in fact the easiest way to keep your basement dry, and is one of the best foundations to a basement waterproof design.

Knowing the importance of French drains and how they work is necessary to maintain a dry space and basement. Having a dry basement is a top priority for a responsible homeowner as too much moisture in this area may result to cracks and other house damages.

A French drain is simply a ditch that is covered with gravel or rock so that water can be led away from a specific area. In this case, the area that water is being led away from is the foundation of your home. There are also other methods used in French drains. For example, hollow pipes may be installed along the bottom for the water that seeps through the gravel. That way the water does not seep into the ground.