French drains
Subsurface water channels
A French drain is a trench filled with gravel or rock containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from an area.
Used around building foundations, in yards, and along retaining walls to prevent water damage and flooding.
Despite the name, the system was popularized by American farmer Henry French in the 1850s.
- constructionProcess of building something
- landscapingModifying outdoor areas aesthetically
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- trenchLong narrow excavation
landscape fabric · basement · wet basement · excavation · soil erosion · groundwater · foundation · hydrology · ditch · basement waterproofing · grading · backfill · infiltration · standing water · landscape architecture · surface runoff · erosion control · urban runoff
- guttersgutter, gutters, rain gutter, downspouts, downspout
French drainssump pumps
Devices removing accumulated water
gutters · storm sewers · catch basins · downspouts · sewers
French drainscisterns
Containers storing collected water
rain barrels · retention ponds · reservoirs · holding tanks · rain gardens
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