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The Benefits of Using French Drain Systems in Illinois

french drain systems in illinois.

What is a French Drain System?

In the state of Illinois, where heavy rainfall is a common occurrence, homeowners and property owners often face the challenge of excess water accumulation in their yards and basements. This could lead to various issues, including water damage, flooding, and mold growth. To tackle this problem, many people turn to French drain systems. A French drain is a drainage system designed to redirect water away from structures and low-lying areas, preventing damage and maintaining a dry environment.

The Benefits of French Drain Systems in Illinois

Installing a French drain system in your property can bring about numerous benefits, especially in a state like Illinois where rain and snowfall are frequent. Let’s explore some of the advantages that make French drains an excellent solution for managing excess water:

Prevents Water Accumulation and Damage

One of the primary benefits of using French drain systems is their ability to prevent water accumulation and subsequent damage to your property. By redirecting water away from your foundation, basement, and yard, French drains help maintain a dry environment, reducing the risk of water-related problems such as flooding and mold growth.

Protects Foundation and Structures

A French drain system acts as a protective barrier against water infiltration, safeguarding the foundation of your property. Excess water accumulation can weaken the foundation over time, leading to structural problems and costly repairs. By channeling water away, French drains help preserve the integrity and stability of your property’s foundation.

Prevents Basement Flooding

Basement flooding is a common issue faced by homeowners in Illinois, especially during heavy rainfall or snowmelt. French drain systems play a critical role in preventing basement flooding by capturing and redirecting water away from your basement walls and floor. By keeping your basement dry, you can avoid damage to stored belongings and valuable property.

Controls Soil Erosion

Illinois is known for its fertile soil, but excessive water can lead to erosion, washing away topsoil and damaging landscapes. French drains mitigate soil erosion by efficiently capturing and redirecting water away from vulnerable areas, preserving your landscaping and preventing unsightly erosion patterns.

Improves Yard Drainage

Poor yard drainage can transform your beautiful lawn into a soggy mess. French drains help improve yard drainage by effectively channeling excess water away from the surface, promoting healthier grass, plants, and trees. With proper yard drainage, you can avoid waterlogged soil, root rot, and other issues that can negatively impact your landscape.

Reduces Moisture-Related Health Risks

Excessive moisture and water accumulation can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, posing health risks to occupants. French drains help reduce these risks by keeping your property dry and preventing moisture from seeping into your home. By maintaining a healthy indoor environment, you can protect your family from potential respiratory problems and allergies.

Increases Property Value

Installing a French drain system can increase the value of your property. Prospective buyers appreciate the added peace of mind that comes with knowing a property is equipped with effective water management systems. By investing in a French drain, you not only enjoy the immediate benefits but also enhance the resale value of your property.

Customized Solutions for Illinois

French drain systems can be customized to suit the specific needs and conditions of Illinois properties. A professional drainage contractor can assess your property’s unique requirements and design a French drain system that precisely addresses the water management challenges you face.

a professional installing a french drain system in illinois.

Professionals use high-quality materials and follow industry best practices to ensure a durable and efficient French drain system.

Hiring a Professional Drainage Contractor

When considering the installation of a French drain, it is crucial to hire a professional drainage contractor to ensure optimal results. Here are a few reasons why hiring a professional is the best approach:

  • Expertise: Professional contractors have the knowledge and expertise to design and install an effective French drain system tailored to your property.
  • Quality Installation: Professionals use high quality materials and follow industry best practices to ensure a durable and efficient French drain system.
  • Proper Permits: Experienced drainage contractors understand the local regulations and obtain the necessary permits for the installation, ensuring compliance with Illinois building codes.
  • Maintenance: Professional contractors can also provide guidance on maintaining and servicing your French drain system, ensuring long lasting performance and reliability.

A French drain offers a multitude of benefits for Illinois homeowners and property owners. By preventing water accumulation, protecting foundations, avoiding basement flooding, controlling soil erosion, improving yard drainage, reducing health risks, and increasing property value, French drains are a valuable investment. To ensure a successful installation and optimal performance, it is recommended to hire a professional drainage contractor who can design and install a customized French drain system tailored to your property’s unique needs.

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Interested in having a French drain installed on your property in the Chicagoland area? Contact us below!

Should I have a French Drain Installed on my Property?

Two houses on a green yard.

Low ground and poorly draining soil make it simple to have standing water in your yard. Unfortunately, this could endanger your property in addition to being a bother. Stagnant water can harm your home’s value and necessitate expensive future repairs by causing damage to your lawn, trees, basement, and foundation. French drains come in various shapes and names, including trench drains, rock drains, and drain tiles, to mention a few. The fundamental elements of this drainage system stay the same regardless of configuration. It functions like a gutter system for your yard, diverting water from your house. There are many benefits to this system. In this article, we at Chicago Plumbing Experts want to share whether you should have a French drain installed on your property.

Having a French drain installed prevents water damage

French drains can be an excellent way to stop water from damaging your house or other property. This is so that excess water diverts away from the walls, basement, and foundation. Unfortunately, water buildup near a building’s foundation over time may erode the structure’s structural integrity. This caused expensive damage. If the water around the foundation is not properly drained, it may seep into the walls and lead to mold and mildew, contaminating the air. You can redirect water using French drains to different parts of your home. Doing this lowers the water pressure, preventing seepage into the foundation. French drains can reduce soil saturation and damage, eliminate floods, and avoid standing water around your home or business.

The French drain installed on the property could save you considerable money in repairs. It also protects your property from water damage. Water damage can significantly damage your property value, making it difficult to sell when potential buyers spot it. And there is a good reason for this. Experts at evlmoving.com advise us to inspect the property for water damage before we move in. Not only will it require repairs, but it can also indicate a broader problem with a home’s plumbing system.

Reducing Soil Erosion is another benefit of having a French drain

By diverting extra water from the soil, which can cause erosion, French drains can help decrease soil erosion. Water that collects in one place and percolates through the soil can generate soil erosion, which can damage flora, expose roots, and result in other erosion problems. French drains provide the water a different route, stopping it from pouring over the top of the soil and allowing it to move through the soil more slowly, decreasing soil erosion. By diverting water from the ground, we can lessen soil saturation and preserve the soil’s organic composition. This is especially helpful during colder months when many plumbing problems arise.

French drain installed on the property reduces soil runoff by rerouting water away from your yard. Soil runoff carries topsoil, boulders, and other debris and can cause erosion in other areas of your yard. They work well in locations with significant erosion or where water collects and floods. This can happen in your yard’s low-lying sections. The bottom of slopes where water naturally flows can also be affected. Without adequate drainage, the water can build up in these places, causing soil saturation, plant damage, and mosquito and other insect breeding grounds. Therefore, French drains can aid by redirecting the water to different sections of your yard or a stormwater system, preventing water pooling and flooding in these locations.

A field of fertile soil.

French drain installed on a property can save your soil from the great damage that heavy rain can cause.

It reduces flooding effectively 

French drains are an excellent tool for reducing flooding. This is especially true in regions that frequently get heavy rain or have poor soil drainage. In specific locations, standing water on the ground can cause floods, wash away yards, and damage building foundations. Thanks to the French drain installed on property, your yard’s excess water will have a path. Doing this directs the water to an appropriate region, such as a drainage ditch, stormwater system, or a place with good drainage. Rerouting water may shield your property from costly water damage and prevent floods and water pools.

You can build French drains in various locations, and their efficiency can be increased by incorporating a sump pump or vacuum system. The system’s water drainage capabilities can benefit your garage, cellar, or other low-lying areas. These regions could be prone to floods, preventing water from entering or building up at the property’s foundation. Installing a French drain might be a practical way to lessen the consequences of a flood or prevent one from happening if you live in a flood-prone location.

Improving Soil Drainage is another benefit of this system

When natural drainage is inadequate because of heavy soil or a high water table, French drains can help to enhance soil drainage. When the earth is full of water, it can quickly run out of oxygen, causing plant suffocation and other issues with the soil. By letting surplus water drain from the ground, lowering the water saturation level, and raising the oxygen levels in the soil, French drains can aid in bettering soil drainage. A perforated pipe surrounded by gravel or other aggregate materials makes up the French drain system. The tube can be strategically positioned at the proper depth to quickly divert water from the earth. By improving soil drainage, French drains can maintain healthy plant growth. It also prevents root rot and other soil-related issues.

A woman working with soil in her garden.

If not drained, soil can cause the roots to rot, preventing plants from absorbing water.

French drain system saves your money

A French drain can save you money in the long term by averting water damage and expensive repairs. Over time, water damage to your property can result in costly repairs and a decline in value. You may lessen the possibility of water damage to your foundation, walls, and basement by installing a French drain around your home. Reducing soil erosion, avoiding floods, and safeguarding your landscaping are all benefits of preventing water from collecting around your property. Installing a French drain can help avoid home and property damage and the associated costs. Many other plumbing problems can be avoided if maintained properly, saving you a lot of money. So, always check your plumbing system.

A woman holding dollar bills in her hands.

You can install a French drain by yourself, and the process is easy and quick, so you won’t have to spend money on a plumber.

When it comes to keeping your property well maintained, plumbing needs to be perfect. If not, there can be a lot of damage. So in this article, we wanted to share all the benefits of having a French drain installed on your property.

Stop Yard Flooding in Its Tracks with a French Drain

a woman standing in flood water.

Stop Yard Flooding in Its Tracks with a French Drain 

Damaged landscaping, increased risk of lawn disease, mosquitoes in the yard or water draining from your yard into your neighbor’s property; are just a few of the problems you get from having standing water in your yard. This flooding doesn’t have to be massive to cause major issues. Just one inch of water in the yard can cause you more than $25,000 worth of damage.

What causes yard flooding?

To prevent flooding caused by rainfall, Sage Property Management explains most homes are built in a way that allows runoff to be directed toward the front of your house, so it can be channeled safely to the city’s stormwater management system. For most homes, this design works perfectly. But, if the slope in your yard is not sufficient to let rainwater runoff, there will be flooding around the house.

If your home regularly experiences incidences of yard flooding, what can you do about it?

French drains: the best way to protect your yard from flooding

There are many ways to prevent or minimize floods in your yard. But the most effective solution is to install a French drain on your property.

French drains are preferred to any other method because:

  • French drains are the most versatile solution for the long-term management of yard flooding.
  • The practical, highly affordable and reliable, whether used for flood response or yard drainage.
  • French drains can last 30-40 years, and they won’t alter the aesthetics of your property.

What is a French drain? How do they work, and how can you install one in your yard?

Installing a French drain

In simple terms, a French drain uses gravel and perforated/corrugated pipes to direct water from higher to lower ground. It is a trench dug in the area of your yard with the most flooding issues. This trench contains a perforated pipe, wrapped in water-permeable fabric and encased with a layer of stone or gravel before being covered with soil.

After heavy rainfall, excess water that collects in the yard will find its way into the French drain before being moved to a location where it won’t cause problems. This water percolates downward through the soil under the pull of gravity until it is drawn into the French drain, flowing through spaces in the layer of gravel and the pores of the water-permeable fabric.

To install a French drain in your yard, you need the following:

  • Landscape fabric: For the best results, use non-woven geotextile fabric that weighs 4 ounces per square yard (minimum). Make sure the fabric is designed for drainage and not for separation. 
  • Stones or gravel: Avoid rounded stones; angular stone or gravel with particle size ranging from 3/4 – 2 1/2 inches is best. Base gravel #3 will work for most installations. 
  • Drainage Pipe: 4-inch perforated PVC or 4-inch perforated corrugated plastic are the two most-used materials. If you need to go around corners, use a corrugated pipe. 
  • Catch basins: These make it easy to clean the French drain.

To install the French drain, follow these steps:

  • Decide where you want the water to go. Remove about 3 inches of sod from the area where the trench will be. Lay this aside to be reused when you complete the trench. 
  • Dig the trench using a shovel or mini excavator with a 12-inch bucket. The trench should be around 10-18 inches deep (shallow at its beginning and deeper as the slope increases). 
  • The trench should slope at 1 inch for every 8 feet to ensure it directs water downhill. You can verify this by measuring the trench with a hand level or a rotary level. 
  • Flatten the bottom of your trench with a hand tamper. Lay the fabric over your trench with the edges falling over the sides of the trench. 

french drainage tile before being installed.

  • Place the pipe inside the trench, on top of the fabric. If there are more than 100 feet of trench, join the pipe sections with pipe connectors and waterproof tape. 
  • Install your catch basin to serve as easy-to-reach cleanouts for the French drain at every 100 feet interval or shorter.

a puddle from flooding.

  • Backfill the trench with gravel, and ensure there is gravel around the sides of the pipe and 4-6 inches of gravel on top. The more gravel you have in the trench, the better. 
  • Wrap everything by pulling the edges of your fabric so they overlap on top of the gravel. You may use duct tape to secure those edges. 
  • Lastly, backfill the trench with soil and replace the sod you removed at the beginning.

Finally, is this a project you can do on your own? The answer is YES and NO. Yes, because you should not have any difficulties following the instructions above. No, because you can damage utility lines when digging the trench or expose your home to foundation issues. That is why it’s always a good idea to talk to an expert before you install a French drain on your property.

How to Install Drain Tiles in the Back Yard

How to Install Drain Tiles in the Back Yard

Despite their name, drain tiles are actually not tiles. Drain tiles, also known as a French drain, are pipes that are buried in the ground around the entire perimeter of a house and surrounded with gravel. They protect the foundation of the house from surface runoff by collecting the water before it can reach the base of the house and discharging it in a safe place.

As Paramount Management & Realty explains, they are essential for homes on soil with poor drainage or if the characteristics of land make it easy for water to collect around a building’s foundation. A drain tile system consists of perforated pipes inside a trench dug around the home and surrounded with gravel. The setup is further surrounded by landscape fabric and sand to keep debris out of the pipes.

Installing a French drain in your backyard

Here are a few things to think about before you install a French drain tile system in your backyard:

  • Think of where the water from the drain tile system will go. You want the water to be able to flow away from the house – under the force of gravity – to a natural waterway or similar location. The water should not go toward another property or a septic leach field. 
  • If the slope of your land or the area around the house does not permit water to flow away naturally, you will need a sump pit or dry well to hold the water temporarily. Dry wells should be dug in the lowest area on the land and should be large enough to hold water until it can soak into the ground. 
  • If this is not an option, a sump pit can also serve the same purpose. Water from the drain tile system is channeled into the pit, from where it is pumped out and discharged in a safe location on your property or into your municipality’s systems for removing stormwater. 
  • Lastly, before you lay a drain tile system in your backyard, think of what you will do with the dirt left after you have backfilled the trench. A good way to utilize dirt is to make raised flowerbeds or use it to level a part of your land.

Steps for installing a drain tile system in the backyard

What you will need:

  • A trencher or shovel
  • 4-inch perforated drainpipes
  • ¾ inch drain rock (gravel) or polystyrene
  • Sand
  • Landscape fabric or filter cloth

Step one: Digging the trench

Two important things to keep in mind when digging the trench are maintain a constant slope toward the point where you want the water to be discharged and keep the surface of the trench level to avoid dips where water can collect. 

The trench should be around 12” wide and 8-24” deep. It should slope at the rate of ¼ per foot. This means it will be deeper at the runoff point than it is at the drainage point. The easy way to make your trench is with a trencher, but you may have to do it by hand (with a shovel) if the land is soft and muddy.

Step two: Fill the bottom of the trench

If you used a trencher to make your trench, you may still need to shovel some of the dirt out along the entire length of the trench to make the surface level. After the trench is completed fill it with gravel to a height of about 2” and then lay landscape fabric or filter cloth over the gravel to prevent weeds.

Step three: Lay the drainpipes

You will need corrugated flexible plastic drainpipes. These have a diameter between 4-12” but you will typically use 4” pipes. Drainpipes are also available as 10-foot rigid PVC pipes with holes on one side. Corrugated pipes will often have slits across their entire surface. If there are concerns that the pipes may get crushed after the trench is backfilled, use PVC pipes.

The pipes are typically laid with the perforations facing down, especially if you use pipes with perforations on only one side of them. If there are curved points along the pipe, make sure the connections are secured with elbows and couplings. After the pipes are laid, backfill with gravel to around 2” below grade and then cover with dirt. 

Step four: Install cleanouts

Ideally, you should have two cleanouts: one at each end of the drain. Cleanouts make it easy to clear your drain tile system off debris without having to dig up pipes. A cleanout fitting is a tee that is installed slightly above grade, with a cap for easy access to the drain. 

If the drain tile system starts to get blocked with debris, you can easily insert a garden hose through the cleanout port to flush the system. For blockages which are a bit harder to remove, you can use an auger.