Benefits of French Drains/Risks of Standing Water

Improve the quality of your yard by having Landscaping Ninjas install a French Drain in your yard! Call us today: (979) 279-8840

Spring rains are right around the corner. What does that mean for your yard? They could bring May flowers, but they could also bring standing water. Your kids may love the puddles, but your dog’s wet paws on your new carpet might not be as fun. On top of that, it might affect the quality of your yard and even the foundation of your home. Did you know you should never have freestanding water near the foundation of your home and that water should always drain away from the house? Let’s talk about why that water is pooling up and what you can do about it.

Why is water pooling in my yard?

When you see water starting to pool up in your yard, it’s probably due to poorly draining soil or simply a low spot in your yard. Areas of your yard that receive heavy foot traffic may also start dealing with standing water as the earth becomes more compressed over time. Water can also pool in your yard if you have multiple rain gutters that drain in the same location or garden beds that are retaining water and preventing proper drainage, and water can also sheet off of your roof or seep over from your neighbors’ lawn. There are lots of potential causes for this issue, and lots of not-so-great effects.

Is standing water in my yard bad? 

you’ve ever walked outside and found standing water in your yard, it’s probably safe to assume that you didn’t jump for joy. It is truly an unwanted guest. Why? Because standing water creates a place for different pests to make a home in your space- and we already have enough mosquitoes around as it is! On top of that, standing water can damage your yard and ultimately prevent grass from growing well in certain areas. This leads to patchy, unhealthy grass. If the standing water is near your home’s foundation, it could cause serious damage to your home. The concrete that makes up your foundation is porous, and water standing nearby will naturally seep in to fill those pores. Over time, the rainwater can cause the concrete to break down and crack. This poses an even greater threat in the wintertime, as the water that has seeped into your foundation freezes and expands- sending cracks throughout the concrete. Cracks in your foundation cause your home to shift and become unsettled. So, if it hasn’t been made clear, standing water causes a slew of problems and should be dealt with. 

What are French Drains?

One of the best ways to combat the menace that is standing water in your yard is by installing a French Drain. It may sound fancy, but it’s not a crazy concept! It just needs a good bit of elbow grease to execute (and that’s where Landscaping Ninjas come in!). It’s essentially a gravel-lined ditch or trench with an embedded pipe that carries water away from your yard and your home. French drains manage water at the ground level, collecting it and transporting it elsewhere. They are a more appealing alternative to open ditches and still allow water to flow freely toward a more preferred location for rainwater to collect. They are great for dispersing water across a large area and are a great solution for a wide variety of drainage problems. A big benefit of French drains is the fact that they do not need an outlet- the perforated pipe within the trench does all of the work! They’re unique in the fact that they can have an inlet on both sides of the pipe, allowing water to collect from two locations on either side of the drain. French drains pair really well with gutters and/or dry wells to reduce surface water runoff. They can divert water to another part of your property that won’t affect your foundation, such as the street, a low-lying area of your property, a drainage ditch, or a dry well. 

When should you use a French Drain?

If you have standing water in your yard, then a french drain is for you. You can just wait for the water to dry up for days after every rain that comes, or you could install a solution that makes your yard usable regardless of past rain. You also may need a French drain if you have a driveway that washes out, or you’re building a retaining wall on a hill on your property. Once it’s installed, there’s no more work on your part to be done! Just sit back, relax, and watch as your yard stays free from any more standing water. 

What types of problems do French Drains prevent?

French drains prevent a wide variety of problems, but most notably they protect your home from foundation damage that standing rainwater can cause. They also improve the drainage of your property and allow your yard to dry faster after it rains. This means no more mosquito puddles! They also provide consistency across your yard when it comes to the health and evenness of your grass growth. 

What should I do if my yard has standing water?

You should do something immediately if you have noticed a trend of standing water in your yard. The faster you act, the less damage your home and yard may incur. You can install a French drain yourself, but it requires quite a lot of effort and precision in order to work effectively and to look professional. You will want expert advice on where to place your drain, and how to make sure that the trench bottom is sloped about 1 inch for every 8 feet in the direction you want water to flow. Lucky for you, we specialize in providing drainage solutions that work & fit your budget! 

Give us a call & we will have someone come out and assess your drainage issues and build a drainage solution tailored specifically for your yard.