| Effective and ecologically-correct features of a | | | | impervious surfaces. These factors have caused |
| landscape drainage system, French drains are | | | | more streets and homes to become flooded |
| trenches or ditches filled with gravel (usually) that | | | | during the heaviest rainfalls. Consequently, local |
| move water parallel to the ground. Water flows | | | | ordinances are beginning to follow the model used |
| much easier through loose gravel, especially as | | | | by the Memorial Villages that require minimum |
| compared to the thick, gumbo-like clay soil found | | | | pipe sizes, flow rates, temporary drainage |
| here in Houston. To further ease the flow of | | | | systems, engineered drainage plans, calculations, |
| water from the wet area to the dry one, a | | | | topographic maps, and as/built plans. |
| French drainage system will often have pipes | | | | "If drainage contractors embark on a drainage |
| buried in the gravel. | | | | project without a thorough understanding of |
| The Positives | | | | these demands, homeowners may find |
| French drains can have a positive impact on your | | | | themselves drowning in a big mess that can cost |
| overall landscape. Advantages include: | | | | thousands to rectify," says Jeff Halper, landscape |
| By draining standing water out of the | | | | design specialist with Exterior Worlds. |
| landscape while at the same time storing rain | | | | Tree Preservation and Tree projection |
| water in the subsoil, this type of drain helps your | | | | When installing any drainage system, it is |
| grass look healthy and vibrant. Thus your overall | | | | recommended to hand-dig trenches around trees |
| lawn service is improved. | | | | to minimize damage to them. It is best to tunnel |
| French drains can be a de facto part of your | | | | under tree roots by using compressed air. This |
| irrigation systems. They can be developed by | | | | tree preservation method exposes tree roots so |
| landscape designers or landscape architects so | | | | they are not torn. Alternately, pressurized water |
| that water collects in and nurtures garden beds, | | | | can be used to dig deep trenches and expose |
| thus conserving water. French drains turn your | | | | roots, which also minimizes damage. Tree |
| landscape into a green garden-in both senses of | | | | preservation is one of the most important |
| the word "green." | | | | aspects of proper drain installation procedures. |
| Residential landscape maintenance is made | | | | Fun to Know |
| easier with French drains since they prevent | | | | French drains were not invented in France. Rather |
| standing water that can cause slippery surfaces | | | | Henry French of Concord, Massachusetts came |
| and mosquito breeding grounds. They also help | | | | up with the idea in the mid-1800s. A judge and |
| prevent drowned plants and help reducing fungus | | | | farmer, he published a book on the subject with |
| growth, which is the main killer of plants in tropical | | | | the memorable title-"Farm Drainage-The Principles, |
| climates. | | | | Processes, and Effects of Draining Land with |
| Drainage Systems: An Overview | | | | Stones, Wood, Plows, and Open Ditches and |
| In Houston, storm drainage issues are very | | | | Especially with Tiles, Including Tables of Rain-Fall, |
| serious due to our flat topography, dense clay | | | | Evaporation, Filtration, Excavation, Capacity of |
| soils, and heavy forested lots compacted by | | | | Pipes, Cost and Number to the Acre of Tiles, Etc, |
| years of construction that have increased | | | | Etc. |