Every family depends on clean water for daily living. However, once they have used that water in showers, sinks, and toilets, it must get out of the house. The drainage system in your home uses gravity to move grey water and waste from your building to the septic or sewer line. Depending on the size and setting of your property, this system may use several types of drains to accomplish this task. Inadequate drainage can lead to foundation problems like water intrusion and settling.
What Is Drainage?
When you open the drain in your sink, the water flows quickly into your pipes. This same process happens more slowly in the soil outside your home. After a heavy Tennessee rainstorm, you may notice puddles on your lawn. If you look again in a few minutes, they have disappeared because the water drains into the soil as it makes its way through the water table.
If you’re searching for drainage systems installation, you may have realized that this happens too slowly on your property. Water follows the force of gravity. The pitch of the land may require you to install a drainage system that channels the water flow in a new direction.
Types of Drainage Systems
Several types of drainage can address water flow issues on a property. Most work only with the force of gravity, but some types of drainage systems move water from sensitive areas with pumps.
Relief Systems vs. Interception Systems
Before beginning the installation of a drainage system, the property owner and engineers must determine the goal of the drainage. An agricultural property may not want complete drainage. Instead, they need a solution that maintains the water table level. A relief system drains water after it exceeds a certain level in the soil.
Engineers use interception systems to steer water away from an area. A building prone to water intrusion may need to install a drainage system that diverts excess water before reaching the structure.
Surface Drains
Surface drains are the least complicated types of drainage. Drainage installation involves digging ditches to collect excess water. Water will fill these pools to protect other areas from water accumulation and damage. Because this is an open drainage system, the property owner may need to remove debris after the ditches drain.
Subsurface Drains
A subsurface system involves underground pipes that channel water to a central drainage line. The main pipe may connect to a drainage field or ditch, or it might empty into a local waterway. This drainage installation involves more work than an open drainage system. Excavators must dig a trench and place pipes along that path. Because this system is underground, it involves very little routine maintenance.
A French drain is a subsurface system that diverts water from residential foundations. Experienced professionals can install this small-scale system with minimal disruption to homeowners.
Well Drains
Well drains are an expensive solution used especially for relief drainage systems. Wells on the property collect water and maintain the water table level. If the volume exceeds the desired level, pumps move it away from the property. These mechanical pumps work against gravity, so running these drains is more expensive than those working with natural forces.
Drainage System Installation
Before starting an installation project, the designer must determine what is the drainage profile of the area. Topsoil, clay, and sand all have different levels of permeability. Soil that drains water slowly will require a more powerful drainage solution.
The planning process may also require environmental impact studies. Drainage water can carry fertilizer, salts, and other impurities. The potential for environmental damage will determine if a system can empty into a stream, a drain field, or the local stormwater system.
The next step in the installation of a drainage system is preparing the land. Heavy machinery like front-end loaders and trenchers will dig channels and collection ditches into diverting the stream. In an open drainage system, digging is the final step. Subsurface drainage systems installation also involves refilling the trenches to cover the pipes.
Restoring and Protecting Your Foundation from Drainage Issues
Many homeowners realize their need for supplemental drainage only after seeing problems with their property. A high water table around your foundation can cause a flooded basement, cracks in your foundation, and crawl space foundation failure.
Ground Up Foundation Repair can help restore your home with waterproofing and foundation repair services. We’re also your local experts for French drain installation to move water away from your home. If you have concerns about your home’s foundation, contact us today for a free evaluation.