San Francisco is prone to water accumulation because it receives rain throughout the year, with the highest amounts between December and February. The hilly terrain makes water move towards the base at great force and speed. The pressure can wash away soil and deposit it at the bottom. This can lead to damage when the water seeps into the house structures. Use French drains to manage runoff and protect your property from damage effectively.
French drains redirect subsoil and surface water from your property through gravity force. The system has three main components: a trench, gravel or rock bedding, and a perforated pipe. The trench is dug along the area where water accumulates, approximately one meter from the building. It should not be deeper than the foundation, and care should be taken to prevent damage to any underground piping and electrical inputs.
The perforated pipe is then laid in the trench before filling with gravel or rock bedding to a level slightly below the ground. The gravel acts as a filter to prevent debris from entering the pipe. It is added in different sizes to avoid clogging. The coarse gravel is used at the center and becomes finer towards the outside.
As water flows into the trench, it seeps through the rock bedding and into the perforated pipe. It is then diverted to a sump pit away from your home’s foundation. When the pit is full, a sump pump releases the water.
French drains are often installed around your property where water tends to sit, draining it away at the source of the problem. Depending on the location, there are two types of French drains.
Exterior drains are installed around the perimeter of your home’s foundation, and interior systems are installed around the inside perimeter of the basement or crawl space, which is prone to water seepage. A property owner can consult a professional to determine the right place for installation.
The most important factor to consider when using sand or gravel in your drain is the foundation on which you are building your drain. If you install your drain somewhere, the ground is hard and unlikely to shift; sand is often the better choice because it holds its shape better than gravel. However, if you place your drain somewhere where the soil often shifts, as in most yards, gravel is desirable because it can shift with the ground, preventing damage to the pipes and anything else around the drain.
However, gravel can damage structures close to it as it shifts with the soil. In cases where your French drain sits against something else, consider the overall weight of the material you’re using as a backfill against it when you factor in the likelihood of the material causing damage. There are many factors to consider about damaging things alone, so when you decide between sand and gravel, you will want to consider the overall picture of where future damages will likely come from with your project.
We can install new French drains around your foundation, basement, or other areas prone to water accumulation.
Does your existing French drain need attention? We can diagnose and fix any problems with your current system.
Over time, French drains can clog with debris. We offer cleaning services to ensure proper water flow.
We recommend regular inspections to identify potential problems before they cause water damage.
5. Drainage System Design
We can design a custom French drain system to meet the specific needs of your property.
Our company has professionals dedicated to designing and installing curtains, yards, exterior and interior, and trench drains in homes. We use materials from reputable manufacturers and ensure proper installation so your system effectively redirects water. We also follow up with our clients for inspection and maintenance services after the installation appointment.