French Drain Installation in Kansas City
Water can do a lot of damage to a home. That’s why it’s important for your home to have systems in place to properly handle water and direct it away from your home’s foundation. Theoretically, your home should have been built with water management systems in place, but sometimes these systems break down, weren’t put in place, weren’t maintained, or simply weren’t designed well.
If water is damaging your home, you may need to implement drainage solutions implemented to protect your home.
Foundation 1 is here to help! Our team of professionals provide quick and affordable French Drain installation throughout the metro area, including KCMO, KCK, Johnson County, and Lee’s Summit. We specialize in providing superior french drain installation services that will ensure any standing water or flooding issues are solved in your home or business.
With our advanced expertise, no job is too big or small for us. Backed by years of experience, we guarantee our services will be done properly and efficiently. Your French Drains will be installed correctly the first time, so you won’t have to worry about water issues for the long-term. Contact us today and let Foundation 1 take care of all your drain installation needs!
What Are French Drainage Systems?
Like french fries and french toast, the French drain has little to do with France. In fact, it’s named after the New England man who invented the drainage system in the 1800s. Henry Flagg French invented the cellar drain, what we now know as the French drain, to save homes from too much groundwater.
How Do French Drains Work?
The French drain is a gravel-filled trench containing a perforated pipe. Excess groundwater runs into the trench and flows through the perforated pipe. This pipe then carries water away from your home, preventing oversaturated soil from creating hydrostatic pressure or a leaking basement. Ideally, the French drain descends at a slight slope and the water exits at a lower point away from your home, such as a dry well, a dry creek bed, the street, or a storm drain.
It’s also worth noting that there are both interior and exterior French drainage systems: interior French drains redirect water that enters your basement and is typically installed beneath your basement floor; while exterior French drains move water away from low spots where it collects in your backyard—useful behind exterior retaining walls to prevent water from pooling and damaging the wall’s structural integrity.
When Do You Need a French Drain?
Though French drains are popular, they should never be used as a cure-all drainage solution. It’s just as important to make sure your landscape is properly graded, your gutter system accurately installed, and your basement sufficiently waterproofed.
When it’s not possible to grade your landscape in a way that directs water away from your structure, French drains can be installed to keep water from pooling in low spots and around your foundation. Foundation 1 can install our Curtain Drain, our version of a French drain, to help direct water away from your home, protecting it against water damage and foundation problems.
There are several indicators that you may be a good candidate for a French drain system, so see if any of the following statements are true for you:
- Despite having an existing drainage system, your basement still floods or leaks
- You don’t have a drainage system and your basement is prone to flooding
- You live in a region with heavy rainfall
- It takes a long time for your property to dry after a rainfall
- You’re interested in building a retaining wall located on a hill
The Installation Process of a French Drain
When you call the drain installers at Foundation 1, we will examine your structure and landscape to identify the problem areas where water is pooling and causing damage to your home.
We will figure out where to place the French drain so that excess surface water can enter the drain pipe system and flow through the drain to an exit point. Next time you have a heavy rain or excess water buildup, the drainage work will direct the flow of water away from your structure.
Installing the drain requires digging a sloped trench and lining it with fabric, gravel, and a perforated drain pipe to prevent soil from getting into the drain. Some French drains do not use a pipe, rather they use a gravel-and-fabric system alone. This could be done in certain situations, but it’s best to ask your water management professional at Foundation 1 if that is the right solution for you.
It should be noted that French drains do need to be cleaned at least once a year. Typically, an electric snake is used to clean out clogged debris from the drain, since it’s important to perform interior cleaning when maintaining a French drain.
Call Foundation 1 Today for Drainage System Solutions
French drain systems could make a huge difference in managing excess water and preventing drainage issues from damaging your home’s foundation or compromising the structural stability of your home. Good drainage is vital to preventing water issues, and the installation of a French drain could solve your water management problems.
Collected water and drainage problems can destroy your home, so it’s important to make an informed decision about what your water management solutions are. If you are noticing water on your basement floor, a soggy yard, or cracks in your home’s foundation, it may be time for the installation of a proper drainage solution.
Drainage pipes come in different forms, and a water management professional can help you choose the right option for your home. We can help you deal with your water problem and save your home using a trench drain or other solution. Looking for French drain installation in Kansas City? Foundation 1 can provide reliable solutions for water management.