french drain

Springtime Drainage System Installation

The warm, wet season is upon us, and you are likely becoming aware of any drainage system failures in your yard.

Fortunately, spring is the ideal season for yard drainage repair, as it offers a variety of benefits that we will soon explore.

Ready to get your property in perfect shape to preserve its value and make your yard the envy of the neighborhood?

Discover what you need to know about yard drainage installation.

Related: Types of Yard Drainage Solutions

Signs of Drainage Failure

Questioning if yard drainage repair or new system installation is in your yard’s best interest?

Luckily a routine property inspection can reveal potential yard drainage problems. Backyard flooding, standing water, and overly saturated landscaping are clear signs that yard drainage repair is needed.

Other exterior signs of damage include soil erosion, clogged gutters, and downspouts that are directed towards the home. You can additionally explore signs of damage inside the home.

Water that enters into the foundation and seeps into crawl space walls is a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Mildew, mold, fungi, and bacteria all provide heavy odors that indicate drainage system failure is likely occurring. You can also check the walls for a crusty salt deposit known as efflorescence for additional signs of drainage system failure.

Overall, you can most accurately spot signs of drainage system failure during the warm, dry months, as they provide the ideal climate, temperature, and soil saturation level for accurate inspection.

Springtime Advantages For Drainage Installation

Now you likely have a clear idea of whether or not your yard drainage needs some work. It’s almost time to take the next step and explore the solutions available.

But first, you should know when the best time is for drainage system work. When it comes to your yard drainage repair or installation, springtime holds a clear advantage. Warm weather is much more predictable, offering fewer hindrances, problems, and unforeseen disruptions. This will allow the process to proceed with minimal interruption. Spring weather also offers a very important advantage, as warm weather soil is easiest to work with.

Rainy months create oversaturation of soil water content, which could lead to work delays.

As you’ll discover when we explore drainage system solutions, it’s very important to work with soil when it is in its best state. Too much moisture will cause the soil to expand, while too little will lead to it contracting.

The springtime provides the best climate for soil, allowing the drainage system installation to most accurately be completed. It’s always recommended to avoid winter installations since frozen pipes can interfere with the process.

Related: Yard Drainage Frequently Asked Questions

Different Drainage Systems

Drainage system installation will safeguard your property against the threat of flooding, which can cause enormous damage. There are a variety of yard drainage options to explore that involve different degrees of installation, though all systems benefit from a spring installation when the soil is easiest to work with.

At Yard Drainage Los Angeles, we are proud to offer every drainage system available on the market.

Solutions include French drains, trench drains, channel drains, sump pumps, drain boxes, rounded grates, pop-up emitters, atrium grates, catch basins, Flo-wells, and more.

French drains are among the most sought-after yard drainage installations, as they are installed in the ground and do not have any protruding pipes or parts.

These subsurface drains work to remove excess moisture from the soil and distribute it away from the home.

Meanwhile, sump pumps are installed underneath crawl spaces inside the home and are used to rapidly pump water away from the home.

Surface drains, such as trench drains and channel drains, work to collect surface water and redirect it to an appropriate outlet. Such surface drains are relatively simple in design, but they are incredibly effective when it comes to handling large quantities of surface water.

Overall, a professional contractor can determine which yard drainage repair solution will most benefit your property, with the best solution sometimes being a combination of drainage systems that act together to facilitate optimum yard drainage repair.

Related: Yard Drainage Problems

Drainage System Benefits

So which drainage system is the best?

Well, that depends on the problem you need to address. The warm days and cool nights that spring provides create the ideal temperature for a professional contractor to get the most accurate yard drainage system inspection.

This will allow the contractor to see which drainage system will offer the best benefits. French drains, for example, are installed most often along crawl space floors and around the perimeter of the home, since they are highly adept at removing excess water from the soil.

This makes them ideal solutions for keeping water out of damp basements, which provides much needed structural protection. French drains are also favored for not disrupting the landscaping, offering visual appeal benefits.

Sump pumps are also ideal drainage system installation choices for houses equipped with basements, or houses located on a slope that puts the home at a low level. Sump pumps remove water at a rapid pace to prevent home flooding.

On the other hand, surface drain options such as trench drains and channel drains are skilled at quickly diverting large quantities of surface water to appropriate outlets.

Their long, sleek designs make them excellent choices for installation along driveways to prevent excess water from entering into the garage.

Spring Cleaning Needed

Though many believe that the wet, rainy months are the best time to attend to drainage system work, spring is the ideal time. Don’t wait for the wet months to discover that your drainage system requires work when you can have your yard fully prepared to face even the wettest of winters.

By following simple routine cleaning and inspection steps, you can keep your yard in top shape. Always be sure to inspect both your downspouts and gutters.

Downspouts should be directed at an appropriate angle so that they don’t allow water to flow too close to the foundation. Gutters, meanwhile, should always be clear of clogs, such as dirt, leaves, and other forms of debris.

For best results, you can hire a professional contractor to perform regular drainage system cleaning, though homeowners can simply remove clogged debris on their own in some cases.

Always inspect your yard for backyard flooding, which can at times be discovered by dead plants. Too much water can lead to vegetation death, insect and pest presence, and mold inside the home, so be sure to look out for such warning signs and call a professional contractor if you notice anything unusual.

Related: How To Identify A Broken Drainage System

Different Drainage Systems

Ready to make some improvements to your Los Angeles area yard drainage system?

From French drains to trench drains to sump pumps, we’re ready to make backyard flooding a thing of the past.

At Yard Drainage Los Angeles, we take the time and care needed to provide thorough and complete custom drainage system solutions.

Allow us to inspect your property and create a plan tailor-made for getting your yard in its healthiest shape.

Related: How To Improve Your Yard Drainage

Homeowner!

Call Today For Your FREE Yard Drainage System Inspection And Estimate!

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How To Improve Your Yard Drainage

Is your yard drainage system withstanding the test of time? If you’ve been noticing soggy vegetation, unsightly water pools, and damp foundation material, then there is a good chance drainage system failures have sprung up.

Fortunately, drainage system failure does not necessarily mean a system replacement is necessary. While improvements can be made to your yard drainage system, yard drainage cleaning can go a long way when it comes to facilitating smooth and effective yard drainage. Learn the steps you can take to have your yard drainage running fault-free at a fraction of the cost, as well as solutions available.

Related: Types of Yard Drainage Solutions

How to Deal with Standing Water

One of the biggest yard drainage issues that homeowners contend with is standing water.

This issue can be solved by understanding if the problem is caused by habits or design. Habit-based standing water could arise from issues such as overwatering, which can be solved by adjusting how much your plants are watered.

Check to see if your downspouts are pouring into your plants and causing problems. On the other hand, design-based issues will have to be treated with a professional solution. The majority of drainage system issues occur due to issues with the soil. Composting your soil can assist with helping the soil absorb more water so that it doesn’t pool.

Additionally, the subsoil of your yard should be investigated to see if it is having problems absorbing water. Another issue could be that your water table is too high. Luckily this problem can be solved by several options such as raising plant beds with more soil, lowering the lawn borders to facilitate drainage or a combination of solutions.

Get Your Yard Graded and Sloped

The most effective yard drainage system often operates with several different components. One key area of your yard to alter for better drainage is the soil grading. Soil should be properly graded to ensure that excess rainwater can flow away from the home. Gravel, vegetation, mulch, and other materials should never cover the siding of your house to facilitate smoother drainage. Always ensure that any of these obstructions are sloped away from the home and its foundation. Additionally, make sure that your drainage system isn’t being obstructed by anything in your yard.

Yard drainage cleaning will help facilitate a clear pathway for the water to flow, while the proper grading will safely carry the water away from your home. For best results, professional soil grading is recommended, though homeowners should inspect their yards after heavy storms to ensure that the grading is in good condition.

Related: Yard Drainage Frequently Asked Questions

At Home Yard Maintenance Tips

Having a healthy yard and home requires routine maintenance. While it’s always wise to bring in a professional contractor to install, clean, and work on your yard drainage system, there are steps you can take to preserve and maintain your system between professional visits. Ensure that your downspout is positioned at the correct angle so that it can properly direct water away from your property. This simple yard drainage solution can save much excess moisture hassle. Yard drainage cleaning is something that can be done professionally, but routine inspections can help prevent any major hassles. For example, checking gutters for signs of debris and blockage after storms is always a good idea to prevent water flow blockage from interfering with healthy draining. On the other hand, it’s best to call a professional to deal with yard drainage cleaning for underground pipes.

Related: Yard Drainage Problems

drainage system

Create the Right Yard Drainage Plan

If your yard drainage system is failing you, then it could be because the system isn’t suited for your yard. Designing a yard drainage plan will allow you to implement the ideal solution for your property to target your landscape’s exact drainage needs. While you can try to navigate this obstacle on your own, it’s always recommended to go the expert route since not all drainage system failures are apparent to the untrained eye.

Creating a drainage plan that is tailored to your yard’s exact needs is extremely important because there are a variety of yard drainage solutions that are suited for different drainage purposes.

A professional eye will aid the yard drainage solution process greatly, since there are a variety of factors that need to be taken into consideration, such as slopes, soil, grading, exterior landscaping features, driveway placement, high and low spots, and where the excess water can be discharged.

Install the Best Yard Drainage System

When it comes to installing the “best,” there is no one size fits all solution for a yard drainage system. The aforementioned variables play a large role in determining the best choice. For example, French drains are excellent yard drainage solutions for dealing with over-saturated soil as this underground drainage system is built to deal with excess soil moisture. Therefore, they are great solutions for keeping basements dry. On the other hand, surface drains, such as trench or channel drains, are perfect for removing large quantities of water over wide expanses quickly. Therefore, they are ideal for preventing slippage, keeping driveways free of water buildup, and contending with heavy rainfall. Sometimes the best yard drainage solution is a combination of systems, while simple spot solutions might just require minor changes. To determine the best choice for your yard, have a contractor inspect your property.

Related: Yard How To Spot A Broken Drainage System

When left unfixed, faulty yard drainage systems can cause vegetation death, unsightly yards, and foundation damage due to excess water. Avoid lowering both the curb appeal and property value of your home by implementing a yard drainage solution today. At California Foundation Works, our team is dedicated to maintaining, strengthening, and improving the quality of your yard drainage by implementing a custom solution based on our evaluation. Call today to book your free yard drainage inspection and make soggy yards a thing of the past!
Related: French Drain vs Trench Drain

Call Yard Drainage Los Angeles today to book your Free yard inspection for homeowners!

Is My Drainage System Broken?

From puddles in the yard to water leaking through your crawl space walls, signs of a broken drainage system are often quite clear to spot if you know where to look. Avoid contending with a water-damaged yard and compromised building structure by correcting yard drainage failure before it reaches critical levels. Discover how to spot signs of a faulty drainage system and what solutions are available to remedy your situation.

Related: Yard Drainage Frequently Asked Questions

Spot the Bad Signs

Are you wondering if your drainage system is suffering from damage? The first thing you need to do is locate damage warning signs.

So what should you be looking for? Water pooling, puddles, and eroded soil are all clear indicators that there is a drainage issue in your yard.

These issues will present themselves most clearly after heavy storms, so be sure to perform a routine property inspection post rainfall.

Soil erosion can be spotted by comparing the soil height to the foundation to check if it is being removed during precipitation. Healthy drainage systems will not have soil being eroded during each rainfall.  

Additionally, you should also inspect your gutters to check for clogs, as they present a clear drainage system hindrance. Ensure that your gutters are both clear of debris and distributing rainwater at an appropriate angle to redistribute it away from your building and property.

Search Your Home Yard Drainage

While many signs of drainage system failure can present themselves in your yard, there are also signs you can spot around the home. The most obvious sign of drainage system failure is the presence of water in your home. Invasive water can often be located in crawl space walls, as well as in your home’s structure. Warped, buckling, and bowing floors and walls are indicators of a moisture intrusion problem.

Other signs include mildew, which can be spotted by its musty odor, and efflorescence, which is a salt deposit that forms in crusty white or grey piles on foundation walls as excess water evaporates. Bacteria, mold, and fungi are also known to breed in moist environments, so all unusual odors should be immediately inspected.

Related: Types of Yard Drainage Solutions

Understand Your Drainage Situation

Damaged drainage systems are a potentially very serious problem if not corrected by a professional contractor. Excess water in the yard can lead to the death of vegetation, which can cause the visual appeal of the property to plummet. However, the real danger lies within intrusive water entering your home.

There are three main ways that moisture can enter the home, with each leading to a different type of potential damage. When water enters through cracks in the foundation, serious foundation structural damage can occur. This could lead to requiring foundation repair or even replacement. When there are high water tables beneath the home, water often will enter the building through the floors and cause warped and distorted floorboards. This situation can be remedied by installing sump pumps and an appropriate interior drainage system.

Lastly, water at times enters into the foundation without any visible cracks showing. In this case, there is likely an issue with the home’s grading system or gutters, so appropriate yard work will be needed.

Related: Yard Drainage Problems

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Explore Drainage Solutions

Fortunately for homeowners, once the signs of drainage system failure are recognized there are many solutions that can be implemented.

A professional contractor will be able to evaluate your property and determine which drainage system solution is most appropriate for your situation.

The wide variety of drainage system customization will allow for your drainage problems to be permanently resolved, protecting your property and foundation structure.

French drains are one of the most popular yard drainage systems, as they can redirect excess water in the soil to prevent water from invading the basement, crawl spaces, and home structure.

Surface drain options, such as channel drains and trench drains, are often installed for redirecting large amounts of water away from the property during heavy rainfall.

Additionally, many low-level homes can benefit from a sump pump installation so that excess rainwater can be pumped away from the home quickly.

Other professional drainage solutions include sloped grading, terracing, rounded grates, atrium grates, Flo-Wells, and pop-up emitters.

Stop invading water in its tracks to protect your property.
At Yard Drainage Los Angeles, we’re dedicated to keeping your home free of excess water and all the harmful issues it can bring.

It’s our mission to return your home to a healthy and harmonious balance to guarantee lasting structural success and permanent resident safety.

Are you ready to get started on exploring your drainage solutions? Call today to talk about your options!

Call Yard Drainage Los Angeles today to book your Free yard inspection for homeowners!

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French Drains vs Trench Drains

Perhaps you’ve started to notice that your drainage system isn’t what it used to be. There might be soggy spots forming around your yard, killing vegetation. Or even worse, water could be leaking into your home and threatening the structural stability of your dwelling.

Whether your drainage system is failing you or your yard isn’t equipped with one in the first place, luckily installing a new drainage system is all it takes to rectify your drainage situation.

However, one very important question remains. Which type of drainage system is best for your property?

Today we’re going to compare and contrast two of the most popular drainage systems, French drains and trench/channel drains, to see which option best suits your yard.

Related: Types of Yard Drainage Solutions

french drain

What Are French Drains?

French drains are one of the most sought after yard drainage solutions. French drains are highly skilled at preventing water from entering into a building’s foundation by redirecting the flow before this can occur.

The primary purpose of this drain is to divert the flow of water away from the yard and home and contend with oversaturated soil.

French drains are composed of perforated pipes placed in dugout trenches in the ground which are connected to an appropriate water outlet. This allows them to primarily deal with moisture within the ground.

French Drain Benefits

There are many clear reasons why homeowners often select French drain installations, as these drainage systems are built to deal with soil saturation in a straightforward and aesthetically appealing manner.

French drains are trusted for keeping basements dry by dealing with water-saturated soil, but they are also favored for not disrupting the appeal of the property.

Because French drains are installed underneath the ground and do not contain any protruding pipes or parts, they do not disrupt the landscaping or aesthetic appeal of the property. Therefore, many homeowners favor this attractive drainage system option.

Subsurface drainage systems, such as French drains, are ideal solutions for preventing water from entering into your home, which can lead to very serious and costly water damage issues.

trench drain

What Are Trench Drains?

Trench drains, also known as channel drains, are surface system drains. They are designed to intercept runoff surface water as it flows throughout the property.

Trench drains assist in keeping the surrounding pavement and surface vegetation dry, making them reliable solutions for avoiding slips and falls.

Trench drains are usually made of a drainage box located underneath the drain grate that installed on top of the box.

This box serves as a transport system for runoff water, effectively dispersing it away from the property and to an appropriate outlet.

Trench Drain Benefits

Trench drains and channel drains are highly adept at removing large quantities of water over wider expanses of the yard. Therefore, they are ideal solutions for yards with more severe drainage problems or in areas prone to frequent and heavy rainfall.

Trench drains are also very versatile drainage systems because they come in many different sizes, allowing them to be broad enough for city streets to thin enough for pool decks.

Because they assist in preventing slips on wet pavement, they are often installed around commercial buildings to prevent injury. This makes trench drains and channel drains popular choices for restaurants and other businesses.

Trench drains are most often installed across paved surfaces, such as driveways and large expanses of concrete. Surface drains, such as trench drains and channel drains, are often the most reliable solutions for dealing with heavy rainwater.

Contending with System Flaws

While both French drains and trench drains are reliable and trustworthy drainage solutions, at times they might not be the best options for your specific yard situation.

For example, to effectively divert water, French drains need to make accommodations for the natural flow of yard water. Therefore, the French drain must be properly designed and installed for the slopes in your yard to accommodate water at its highest and lowest points.

French drains also have to deal with the potential issue of root intrusion, which is something to consider.

On the other hand, trench drains and channel drains are surface drain solutions that don’t directly deal with soil saturation, but rather focus on runoff water. Therefore, if your goal is preventing basement flooding, French drains are likely a better drainage system solution.

Related: Yard Drainage Frequently Asked Questions

Final Conclusions

French drains and trench drains are both enormously popular and effective yard drainage solutions. It is important to remember that while French drains and trench drains might seem similar at first, they are structured for dealing with different areas of water intrusion. Therefore, when it comes to deciding which type of drainage system to install, the “best” drainage choice depends on the specific needs of your yard.

Your current drainage system failures coupled with the climate and amount of rainfall are all factors that contribute to selecting the right drainage system. Contacting a professional yard contractor will allow your yard and home to be professionally evaluated to assist in determining which drainage solution will best meet your specific needs.

Related: Yard Drainage Problems

Are you ready to put a permanent stop to your drainage problems?

At Yard Drainage Los Angeles, we have the industry experience and expertise needed to deliver top of the line drainage system repairs and installations. Our team of highly skilled workers is ready to work with you to determine the ideal solution for your yard drainage. We’re able to install any drainage system on the market to guarantee the drainage success of your property. Call today to book your complimentary property inspection so that we can share our evaluation!

Call Yard Drainage Los Angeles today to book your Free yard inspection for homeowners!