What is the difference between a curtain drain and a French drain?

Curtain drains essentially do the same thing that french drains do- get rid of the water. The main difference is that french drains deal more with groundwater while curtain drains have more to do with surface water. Curtain drains are built in a very similar way to french drains but are dug to a shallow depth.

How long does a curtain drain last?

When enough sand, clay or silt gets past the fabric, the gravel spaces fill and the effectiveness of the french drain ends. This is why most experts state that a French drain is not a long-term solution to a drainage problem: You have to dig it up and reinstall it every eight to 10 years.

How deep should a curtain drain be?

Curtain drains need a hole that begins around two feet below ground level. This requirement means that your original hole must be three to three and a half feet deep.

Is there something better than a French drain?

A sump pump is one the the most popular and most effective alternatives to a french drain. A sump pump add lots of drainage but comes with a few downsides. A sump system requires electricity to function and can be expensive to install and maintain.

How far away from the house should a French drain be?

How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio and deck.

French drain vs Curtain Drain

What's the difference between a trench drain and a French drain?

Aside from what we've listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.

How much does a curtain drain cost?

Curtain Drain Cost

Curtain drains cost $1,000 to $5,000. They're usually 2 feet in the ground against the foundation. This perimeter-style French drain slopes away from the foundation. Unlike deep drains, these divert surface water like rain and roof runoff.

How do you hang a curtain drain around the house?

1. Plan the Location. Figure out where the excess water is pooling and where you want it to go. ...
2. Dig a Trench. ...
3. Line the Trench with Filter Fabric. ...
4. Pour the Gravel Bedding. ...
5. Hook Up the Pipe Connections. ...
6. Set the Pipe Drain in the Trench. ...
7. Cover with Gravel and Filter Fabric. ...
8. Backfill with Topsoil.

Is a French drain worth it?

French drains help prevent flooding and reduce the risk of long-term water damage to your property. They can last between 30 and 40 years. They're cost-effective. French drains can be aesthetically pleasing as they are usually covered with small rocks, plants and sometimes even decorative grates.

What can go wrong with a French drain?

One of the biggest problems with French drains is that the pipes can become filled with silt, sediment and other debris, causing water to overflow or even backflow from the pipes and into the house. Cleaning the pipes is a costly job as they will need to be dug up.

How often should French drains be cleaned?

French Drain Maintenance

To prevent this, clean out and snake the French drain once a year. Whether you're performing interior French drain maintenance, basement French drain cleanout or exterior French drain maintenance, you'll need an electric sewer snake. You can easily rent one if you don't want to buy it.

Do you put dirt on top of a French drain?

Because a French drain has holes throughout the pipe which allow it collect water, you should not install dirt on top of the drain pipe. Installing dirt will clog the pipe and the holes, rendering it useless.

Are french drains better than gutters?

It sounds elegant but in reality, it's nothing more sophisticated than a gravel-lined ditch with an embedded pipe that carries water away from the home. Whereas gutters collect precipitation as it runs off the roof, French drains manage water at ground level.

Does a French drain need an outlet?

A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn't require an inlet on just one end either. You can construct the drain to accept water along its length, and disperse it underground.

Do French drains increase home value?

The value of the property. Installing a French drain will increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell it in future. On the other hand, a substandard French drain may spell disaster for neighboring residences.

Which is better sump pump or French drain?

Sump pumps offer a few key advantages over french drains. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the amount of water they can pump and drain. Pumps like the Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate can drain up to 43 gallons of water per hour at a 5′ head height – something that french drains can't compete with!

Will a French drain keep my basement dry?

A French drain, often called “drain tile,” installed inside or outside the foundation, will keep most basements dry and never requires maintenance or replacement.

When should you use a French drain?

French Drains are primarily used to drain groundwater from gardens and around the foundations of buildings. French drains are designed to move water that is trapped in the ground away or towards an area. They are best used in soil that is prone to frequent saturation from rain or flooding.

Where does a French drain drain into?

An interior French drain intercepts water as it enters your basement — it's the surest method of keeping your basement dry and a better option than a footing drain. However, if you have a finished basement, you'll have to remove interior walls in order to install the system.

Do French drains attract mosquitoes?

As great as french drains are for moving water, the water basins that serve as inlets are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos. They are dark, wet, and usually undisturbed except during a rainfall.

Can you run downspouts into French drain?

A French drain is actually a network of pipes laid in trenches dug beneath the ground through which water runoff can flow. This structure can be attached to your downspouts and will work seamlessly with your existing gutters.