08/31/2026
It’s rainy season, and many home owners are wondering what can be done about their water issues.
There are 2 main types of drainage systems we can install to manage water. Here is an explanation of both, with some pictures.
The majority of erosion, pooling, and flooding, is caused by runoff from the homes roof. The first step is to catch that runoff with gutters. Once the water is to the downspout, we can now properly route it under ground and to a suitable location.
The first type of drain is typically called a “French Drain”, using drainage rock with a perforated pipe, so water is able to travel and dissipate underground, before reaching its exit point. This is usually the best option.
However, some newer neighborhoods have been built up on clay, and have poor percolation. A trench in these types of conditions will hold water for several hours, making the French drain counterproductive for perpetually soggy areas.
Thats where the second type is useful, a “gravity drain”, using slope of the land to carry water completely away from the problem areas, and exiting to a better spot on the property.
The 3rd and last resort option used when there is no slope, or negative slope, is a “French Drain Dry Well”, where maximum void space is created using a combination of reservoirs, piping, and drainage rock to temporarily hold runoff until it can dissipate. These style drains will inevitably fill up during a hurricane style event, but can solve issues caused by heavy summer rains.
We use a mix of all 3, depending on the circumstances.
