French Drain Services

Do you frequently get water in your basement? Is there a permanent damp spot in your yard? If so, a straightforward and affordable solution is to install a French drain. At ULB-DRY Waterproofing, we’ve done this for hundreds of homeowners throughout the Chicagoland area. If you’re looking for a dependable and experienced waterproofing company to address your drainage concerns, we are the team to call.

What Is a French Drain?

The term French is associated with all-things fancy, right? Not always — French drains do not go by the title they suggest. It was originally a concept promoted by Henry French in the 1950s concerning farm drainage. These are nothing but a ditch in the ground, channeling water into the gravel-filled trench and then to the perforated or solid pipes. Depending on where your property is located, the water may divert into a drainage canal, low lying area, street, or a dry well.

What Does a French Drain Do?

Adding a French drain minimizes the chances of your home taking on moisture, and it helps prevent cracks from forming in the foundation. This, in turn, helps you avoid mold growth and water damage. Installing a French drain in your property helps redirect water to areas where it cannot cause harm to your home.

DIY or Professional French Drain Installation?

The French drain installation process is relatively straightforward and quick, but it involves a whole lot of digging and heavy lifting. Knowing how the process works will help you decide if it’s worth installing the drain yourself, or if you should hire a professional.

Begin by marking the underground utilities and safely digging a trench in the path you want the water to slope. A level string can be used to help determine the proper angles. Every step to install the drainpipe around the foundation requires a high level of precision. Nevertheless, after digging, fill in the bottom of the trench with crushed stones, cover these with porous landscaping fabric, and lay the piping trench. Wrap the material around the pipe and fill in the track with dirt and gravel.

Reality Check: There are certain waterproofing measures that can be implemented by yourself. However, a complex system that is designed to redirect water away from your basement is best left to the professionals. A professional will be able to provide a free initial inspection and estimate, and they will have all the necessary machinery and equipment to install your French drain properly. Although hiring a waterproofing contractor is more expensive than DIY, a licensed, trained, and insured waterproofing contractor is well worth the money.

Furthermore, when our experts are on site, we carefully inspect and identify the locations where water accumulates on your property. We can assess your situation to determine whether the water should run into a drainage ditch, or if it should flow into the street or in dry wells.

French Drain Maintenance

French drains are relatively easy to maintain, but only if you keep up with them regularly. The drain can become blocked due to dirt, tree branches, and silt. The best way to ensure that water flows away from your foundation is to clean the drain once or twice every year. Utilizing the best-in-class equipment, such as an electric sewer snake, is very effective when it comes to preventing blockages. With proper installation, industrial-grade materials, and consistent upkeep, a high-quality French drain may last a decade without needing to be replaced.

Contact ULB-DRY Waterproofing for All Your French Drain Needs!

If you’re looking to install a French drain at your home or commercial property in the Chicagoland area, we can help provide appropriate drainage solutions for your specific needs. Please call or fill out this contact form to get in touch with us, and one of our representatives will get back to you as soon as possible.