A French drain is a fancy sounding name for what is essentially a perforated tube in the ground. It is used to help keep water moving away from your lawn and the foundation of your home. For a more comprehensive explanation on French drains click here. If your yard is suffering from soggy sod, chances are there is a lot of damage going on under the surface that you may not be aware of. It’s always best to keep moisture away from the foundation of your home, and standing water in your yard could be damaging more than just your lawn.
How Does A French Drain Work?
A French drain is a great way to keep water moving off your property instead of puddling up around it. After digging a trench, a long tube with smaller holes will be placed inside. The tube will be covered with gravel that will help to keep dirt and debris out while keeping the water moving off your grounds.
There are many benefits to having a French drain, but they will still require maintenance over time. If your French drain has become clogged or needs to be flushed out, there are a few steps you can take. With regular maintenance, your French drain will last for quite a while.
How Do I Know If My French Drain Is Clogged?
With a pipe buried underground, it can be difficult to discern whether your French drain is suffering from a clog. If you’re unsure if your drain is clogged, try using your garden hose to see how easily water is running through your drain. Stand at the entry point of your drain and allow the water to run through the pipe. If it backs up or sputters out, chances are your pipe is in need of some maintenance.
Equipment You Need To Unclog Your French Drain
Before taking on this project there are a few things you will need. The first is an electric snake. You can buy or rent the snake at most home improvement stores. If you’re not sure how long your French drain is, get an electric snake with a 100-foot spring wound cable. You will also want to look for a width of ¾ of an inch.
The next thing you’ll need is sturdy gloves. You’re going to be feeding the snake into the tube, so just be aware of the wear and tear that task can take on your hands. Look for a heavier weight glove that can stand up to the abrasion.
4 Easy Steps To Unclogging Your French Drain
- Find the opening of your French drain. This is usually at the top of a grade, or a high point in your yard. Your drain may also be connected to one of your downspouts. In this case, you will need to detach the spout from the opening of the drain.
- Turn on the snake and feed it into the drain. If you encounter a clog, try moving the snake around gently to remove the obstruction and keep the snake moving forward.
- Once you’ve reached the end of the drain, begin to retract the snake.
- After you’ve retracted the snake, use a garden hose or a pressure washer to flush out any debris that may have been loosened by the snake.
If you’re not sure that tackling drainage issues is in your wheelhouse, always call a professional. You can help keep drains from getting clogged with regular maintenance. It also helps to keep your gutters clean and clear of debris and leaves throughout the season. Especially if your French drain is connected to your gutters.
The Benefits Of A Professional
Though French drains have many benefits and are mostly maintenance free, it’s important to keep an eye on your yard and home for any signs that your drain could be functioning improperly.
Having your French drain inspected once a year is an important step to making sure that it continues to function and move water from your yard for years to come. Try scheduling maintenance during a season where there is not a lot of rain or snow.
As always, it pays to have a professional come and evaluate your French drain. Though it may seem like a fairly easy task, an expert will be able to flush your French drain quickly and make sure that there are no clogs.
