Exterior Drainage Systems

French Drains

French drains are designed to direct groundwater and water draining from your gutters away from your foundation and residence. They are also used to redirect groundwater in your yard into a designated collection container or a storm sewer, resolving standing water that is getting in the way of your landscaping.

French drains consist of first digging a trench that is slightly sloped to allow gravity to direct the water away from your residence. Once the trench is dug, gravel and landscaping fabric are placed on the bottom of the trench, making sure that the slope of the trench is still maintained. This helps to support the pipes that direct the water, as well as prevent tree roots from reaching the drain. Once this layer is in place, pipes that have holes drilled into them at regular intervals are inserted. The pipe is placed with the holes facing downward, allowing the groundwater to rise into the pipe and drain away. Another layer of gravel and landscaping fabric are placed on top to protect the drain from the elements and hide it from view. In some cases, concrete is used in place of gravel and landscaping fabric to provide a more secure encasement.

Curtain Drains

Curtain drains are quite similar to French drains, but are designed for the removal of water that pools on the surface of your yard rather than groundwater. Curtain drains require a trench to be dug as well, but these trenches are typically shallower than French drains and are covered with gravel. When surface water occurs, it seeps through the gaps in the gravel to enter the curtain drain and be directed away from your foundation.

Footing Drains

Footing drains are drainage systems that specialize in removing water from gathering around the foundation of a structure and seeping into your basement or crawl space. This method involves excavating the soil surrounding the foundation of the structure to allow room for the system to be installed directly alongside the foundation wall. Just like with French drains, this system consists of utilizing landscaping fabric to insulate the foundation from groundwater, followed by the installation of perforated piping and gravel on a slope. These drains circle the entire perimeter of the foundation water and direct water into nearby sewer systems or collection containers.

Qualified Professionals

The team at All Seasons Earthworks is qualified to perform repairs and replacements of each of the above types of drainage systems. We’ll handle all of the necessary permits and city planning aspects that must be done before work can begin, inspection of your existing system to see if repairs can be made, installation of new systems when necessary, and removal of all displaced soil that occurs during excavation. Before any actions are taken, we’ll meet with you first to examine your property and determine what the best course of action is for your specific situation. The end result is a drainage system that will stand the test of time and prevent costly damages to your property in the long run.

To get started, give us a call today or send us a message to tell us more about your needs and schedule a consultation.