Typical Drainage System vs. French Drain System
🌧️ Typical Drainage System vs. French Drain System
✅ Typical Drainage System
A typical drainage system (also called a surface drain or stormwater system) is designed to collect and move surface water away from areas like lawns, driveways, patios, and foundations. It usually includes:
Catch basins or drain boxes
Grated drains (channel/trench drains)
PVC or corrugated piping
Connections to a storm drain or dry well
📌 Best For:
Heavy rainfall areas
Runoff from roofs, hardscapes, and gutters
Large pooling or puddling on flat surfaces
✅ French Drain System
A French drain is a subsurface drainage system designed to redirect groundwater and prevent it from saturating the soil. It consists of:
A trench lined with fabric
A perforated pipe (for water collection)
Filled with gravel or rock
Wrapped in landscape fabric to prevent clogging
📌 Best For:
Wet, soggy lawns or garden beds
Areas with poor drainage or compacted soil
Preventing hydrostatic pressure around foundations or retaining walls
🧠 Final Tip:
In many projects, both systems can be used together for full-spectrum drainage. For example: surface drains to handle heavy rains + French drains to control saturated soil near your home.
⚠️ KEY POINT: HOUSE GUTTER / DOWN SPOUTS SHOULD NEVER BE CONNECTED TO LANDSCAPE DRAINS. THEY SHOULD BE SEPARATE AS THEY CAN CAUSE WATER BACK UP IN LOWER LYING PLANTER BEDS DURING HEAVY DOWN POURS. CONTACT US FOR THE BEST RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN DEALING WITH DRAINAGE ISSUES TO ENSURE YOU ARE FULLY TAKEN CARE OF.
