Proper drainage is essential to maintaining the integrity of the home’s structure. However, there are a few different ways to go about ensuring that water drains away from the home. French drains are one option available and have a number of potential benefits as well as some potential considerations.
The Basics
A French drain is a trench that is dug both inside the basement and outside the house that contains a series of drain pipes to carry water away from the house. The pipes are covered with rocks. The trenches slope downward to help carry water away from the basement and foundation of the home.
Advantages
With french drains in Natick MA a homeowner can choose where to direct any water near the home, making it so this water goes away from the home and the basement instead of collecting where it will do damage. The end of the drain system just needs to be downhill from the start of the system. The advantage of this is that it means water can be directed towards areas that actually need it, such as a garden. This keeps the basement from flooding. It’s also often considered an environmentally-friendly drainage option as long as the materials used are eco-friendly.
Potential Disadvantages
Tree roots may interfere with French Drains in Natick MA, so it’s important to not have the drain run near trees. Also, this type of system, while relatively easy to install, does require some maintenance. For example, sometimes the pipes could get clogged and need to be cleaned out to keep the water running properly and draining away from the house. Should the pipes get clogged, it could cause water to back up and flood the basement, which is the very thing you’re trying to avoid. While some people say it’s simple to install these drains yourself, it’s better to hire a professional who will know how to do so without messing up underground utilities. It can also involve digging up the lawn and gardens to install the pipes and removing any structures, such as sidewalks or a front porch, that are in the way at least temporarily. Click here to find out more about the options for French drains.
