What Are the Types of Surface Drainage Systems?
Flat, even terrain is ideal for both residential and commercial construction. Unfortunately, tracts of level land are also vulnerable to heavy rainfall, which can saturate the soil or create stagnant pools of water that take months to evaporate.
Saturated soil and standing water can promote mold growth in your home or commercial building or even cause catastrophic damage to your foundation.
One of the best ways to deal with groundwater problems is to install surface drainage systems on your property. These solutions can provide excellent results when used in conjunction with your existing gutters and downspouts.
Two of the most effective options for managing groundwater are surface drains and French drains. Let’s look at how they work.
Surface drains
A surface drain is a ground-level grate placed over an underground catch basin. It’s installed at locations on your property where rainwater tends to pool.
Typically the basin is connected to buried pipes that direct the water to a central collection point such as a lake, stream, city sewage system, or street.
Surface drains do require occasional cleaning to prevent clogs. The grates are visible to onlookers, which may present an aesthetic concern for some property owners. Still, they’re an efficient way to prevent standing water from damaging your home, commercial building, or landscaping.
French drains
A French drain is a channel cut into the soil and lined with landscaping fabric. Corrugated pipe is placed in the drain and covered over with gravel or loose stone. The drain is sloped so that it flows away from the building.
Properly installed French drains resemble naturally formed stone paths, making them a great way to complement shrubs, flowerbeds, and other landscaping features. They’re more effective than surface drains at managing saturated soil. However, they’re also more expensive.
Which solution is right for you?
Which surface water drainage system is right for you? The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as the types of structures you have on your land and the contours of your property.
Determining the best way to go takes a professional on-site evaluation, which is where Align Foundation Repair comes into the picture. Our track record of success gives you the confidence that we’ll do the job right the first time.
Already have a groundwater management system in place that needs servicing? We also provide comprehensive surface drainage system repair services.
Every moment you wait puts your home or commercial building at risk of groundwater damage. To learn more about our drainage solutions, call us today.
