Proper drainage is critical to protect your home and property. Excess water can cause structural damage to buildings and can leave lawns and gardens oversaturated and unhealthy.
In Florida, the humid climate and seasonal heavy rainfalls mean adequate drainage is vital. Here’s a breakdown of some standard drainage solutions, including French drains, trench drains, catch basins, and dry wells, and how to pick the right one for your property.
Drainage System Options
Drainage systems can be complex, but they all share one basic idea: channel water away from your property into a more extensive drainage system like a municipal storm drain network. Understanding how different drainage options work is essential to find which one is best for you.
French Drains
French drains (named after their creator, Henry French, not France the country) are a comprehensive drainage solution that addresses both surface and subsurface water.
The basis of a French drain is an underground trench angled down and away from your property. The trench is lined with permeable landscaping fabric and fitted with a perforated pipe. That pipe is then covered with gravel.
The gravel allows surface water to drain into the pipe while keeping out debris. Underground, excess water can flow into the pipe through the fabric and perforations without carrying in soil or debris. Once the water reaches the pipe, the downward angle helps it flow away from your property, keeping your foundation and yard as dry as possible.
French drains are typically installed as an overall system with several branches. The multiple branches allow the system to address drainage across the full scope of your property.
Trench Drains
Trench drains, unlike French drains, collect and channel surface water only. They use a grate over a sealed channel to move water into a more extensive drainage system. These drains are usually used on paved surfaces, so they don’t address subsurface water like French drains.
Catch Basins
A catch basin works as the name implies—it catches water in a sealed container. These containers are installed underground. They collect water and keep it contained until it reaches a certain level. At that point, the water is channeled into a bigger drainage system.
Catch basins effectively collect excess precipitation and water channeled through gutter downspouts. However, just like trench drains, they don’t address subsurface water.
Dry Wells
A dry well, like a catch basin, is an underground receptacle. Unlike a catch basin, a dry well is perforated so that the collected water gradually seeps into the soil. This delay helps give the soil time for its natural drainage process without becoming oversaturated during heavy precipitation.
The major downside is that a dry well can only collect water in one area. So, unless you install multiple dry wells, it may not be an effective drainage solution for your entire property. Additionally, if soil saturation is already a problem, a dry well can compound the issue rather than helping.
What’s Right for Your Property?
Numerous factors determine the most effective drainage solution for your property. These variables can include:
- The size of the area
- The proportion of paved ground to unpaved ground
- The natural grade or flatness of the land
- The type and quality of the soil
All in all, though, it’s hard to go wrong with French drains. French drains offer:
- Surface and subsurface drainage
- Multiple drainage inlets
- Simple maintenance needs
Your local drainage or landscaping contractor can help advise you on available drainage solutions and suggest what will work best. If they don’t include French drains, though, it might be worth getting a second opinion!
For effective, long-term drainage solutions in Jacksonville and nearby communities, call Daniels Landscape & Irrigation, LLC, today. We have over 29 years of experience offering French drain installation and maintenance services to homeowners throughout the region. Our team provides outstanding customer care, industry-leading expertise, and comprehensive drainage solutions to take care of your property. Daniels Landscape & Irrigation, LLC—Quality and Service You Can Trust!