DIY French Drain Systems

Posted by Kelly Smith Jun 9, 2008

Lots of folks are getting rain lately - buckets of the stuff. It brings spring flowers and lets you put in a raised bed vegetable garden. Heck, even the first lady Michelle Obama put a garden on the White House lawn. And who doesn't love that? But it also drags along its own sad luggage. I'm talking about things like standing water in your backyard.

Often, properties aren't graded so that they get proper drainage. The result can be a mosquito breeding ground (ouch!) and a situation where foundation problems set in. Believe me, you want to avoid foundation repair. Your slab can crack or your basement can spring leaks.

But don't despair, you can make your property drain and you can do it yourself. How, you ask? By installing french drain systems and taking advantage of the force of gravity. The concept is simple - you dig a trench to lead the water off your property.

After digging the trench you have two options, line it with gravel and landscaping fabric or use perforated plastic PVC piping. Once you cover the whole thing with sod, no one will be the wiser. You can dig a French drain trench by hand, or you can rent a mechanical trenching contraption.

The scope of the project and the extent of your sturdy manliness or womanliness will determine the choice you make here. The beauty of this project is that it solves a very critical and irritating problem at a very economical price. This is the time of year to tackle this job before the heat cranks up too bad. Dig it!