A French drain may be just the right answer if you tend to notice water accumulating in your basement after a heavy rain or you continually have damp spots in your yard. Here is some information to help you decide whether or not this alternative is right for you.

What is a French Drain

A French drain sounds like something elaborate, but it is actually a basic ditch in the ground that includes a pipe hidden underneath a layer of gravel. The pipe transports stormwater away from the areas you do not want it, such as the foundation of your home, and takes it to a place such as a backyard rain barrel or your city storm drain.

You can use it to divert water away from your basement so it will stay dry no matter what the elements dish out. In most instances, a basement French drain will go around the perimeter of the basement just below floor level. By the way, this type of drain is not named after the country. It is actually named after Henry French, who is credited with conceiving the idea in the 1850s.

Why You Need to Call a Pro

There are some people who can install a French drain as a do-it-yourself project. However, it takes a great deal of knowledge and specialized tools to do it correctly. In addition, it will need to be covered in a way that it can be accessed for future maintenance.

If you think this type of drainage system will be right for your home, get in touch with the professionals with Basement Flood Protector. We have a great deal of experience in French drain installation and will make sure we install yours correctly the first time. Contact us online or call (847) 852-7150 or (866) 930-7898 to learn more or schedule service.