Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    33 Colorful Houseplants You’ll Love

    March 15, 2023

    14 Indoor Plants That Grow From Seeds

    March 14, 2023

    7 True Low-Light Houseplants

    March 13, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Garden WisperGarden Wisper
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Home
    • Gardening

      Best Gardening Trousers 2023: Men’s And Women’s Options

      March 10, 2023

      10 Best Gardening Hats For Men And Women

      March 9, 2023

      Gardening For Children | Kids Gardening Tools

      March 3, 2023

      Planting Guide For Home Gardening In Alabama

      February 16, 2023

      National Gardening Day – Holidays Calendar

      February 14, 2023
    • How To

      How To Get Rid Of Centipedes In Houseplants

      March 11, 2023

      How Often Should You Fertilize Indoor Plants? What To Know

      March 8, 2023

      How To Stop Mold On Indoor Plants: 8 Tips

      March 4, 2023

      How To Get Rid Of Mint Plant Pests

      March 4, 2023

      How To Start Home Gardening In Hawaii For Beginners

      February 1, 2023
    • House Plants

      14 Indoor Plants That Grow From Seeds

      March 14, 2023

      7 True Low-Light Houseplants

      March 13, 2023

      17 Of The Most Fragrant Houseplants To Grow Indoors 

      March 12, 2023

      How Often Should You Fertilize Indoor Plants? What To Know

      March 8, 2023

      15 Rare & Unusual Houseplants To Add To Your Collection

      March 8, 2023
    • Pests & Diseases

      How To Get Rid Of Centipedes In Houseplants

      March 11, 2023

      9 Cucumber Pests You Need To Watch Out For

      March 8, 2023

      How To Get Rid Of Mint Plant Pests

      March 4, 2023

      13 Most Common Strawberry Plant Pests And Diseases

      February 15, 2023

      Diseases And Pests Of Jalapeno Pepper Plants

      February 15, 2023
    • Recommendations

      How Much Does an Arborist Cost in 2022?

      November 24, 2022

      How Much Does Bush Removal Cost in 2022?

      November 24, 2022

      13 Signs Your Tree Is Dying

      November 22, 2022

      Common Types of Tree Fungus

      November 14, 2022

      What Is Dollar Spot?

      November 11, 2022
    • Weed Control

      Is Roundup Dangerous?

      November 10, 2022

      What is Cheatgrass?

      November 10, 2022

      How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Home and Yard – A Basic Guide

      November 1, 2022

      9 Best Post-Emergent Herbicides

      October 18, 2022

      7 Best Battery-Powered Weed Eaters of 2022

      October 11, 2022
    Garden WisperGarden Wisper
    Home»Yard»How To Tell If A French Drain Is Working
    Yard

    How To Tell If A French Drain Is Working

    VictorBy VictorSeptember 2, 2022Updated:September 2, 2022No Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit WhatsApp Email
    French drain
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email

    Table of Contents

    • How do I know my French drain is clogged? 
    • Can a French drain get clogged? 
    • How do you clear a blocked French drain? 
    • Can French drains fail? 
    • Summary

    Not having a good drainage system could cause a lot of harm to your basement and even to your lawn. 

    If your lawn grass is the type that doesn’t thrive so well in a permanently damp area, it would result in unhealthy-looking lawn grass. You don’t want that for your lawn. 

    This article will throw more light on the use of a french drain and how it works, this would help you avert the damages that could be caused to your foundation. 

    Before we delve into the answers to the above questions, let’s talk about what a French drain is exactly. 

    French drains are pipes embedded deeply into the ground that diverts water away from an area or building, like your home or office building.

     It ensures that any water that builds up under the ground will be gotten rid of. This avoids negative developments on the foundation and other surrounding establishments in the area. 

    How do I know my French drain is clogged? 

    Waters that pass through the soil tend to get to the French drain carrying along soil particles that would be dumped on the drain; this keeps building up over time restricting the flow of water and completely blocking it after some time. 

    When you take a proper look at your lawn and find out that there is water dampening the area then there is a problem. Here are the signs of a clogged French drain: 

    • Negative changes in your lawn: what comes to your mind when your lawn starts having irregularities and there is a foul smell coming from it? That’s exactly what happens when your French drain is clogged. Have a proper inspection of your drainage. 
    • Unusual dampness: You will notice that the foundation of your house is soaking up water, you might even feel the wetness on the walls, ceilings, and the floor. This is a clear indication of a clogged drain pipe, if your drainage is not clogged it will reroute the water and release it elsewhere. 
    • Change in water flow: this is one of the immediate signs that your drain is clogged, there might just be something on the pipe’s way creating a blockage and preventing the smooth flow of water. 
    • Strange sounds from the drain: you might have experienced this, the gurgling sound you hear when water drains from your sink indicates that your drain might be clogged 
    Read Also: Dry Well vs French Drain: What’s the Difference?

    Can a French drain get clogged? 

    Despite the efforts put into manufacturing a French drain, it still needs annual maintenance because it could also get clogged by dirt, debris, and silt just like every other drain. 

    It needs inspection and proper maintenance for it to continue rerouting water away from a building’s foundation, if your French drain is properly maintained it could last approximately 30 to 40 years. 

    How do you clear a blocked French drain? 

    As water seeps through the soil, it carries along soil particles that end up on your French drain. 

    This builds up over time making it nearly impossible for water to flow easily, this could result in a damp basement. Here are the steps on how to unclog your French drain: 

    • First, locate the upper opening of the drain. To do this, check for a hole in the ground surface where the drain starts.

    In case you’re not certain about where it starts, then start investigating from the elevated points of your yard since the drain works by aiding water to run downward.

    • Upon locating where the drain advents, run some water down it. You can use a garden hose to send water through the drainage.

    If you notice that water is backing up instead of rushing through the drainage, then it’s a certain sign that you’re dealing with a clog. You’ll need to extract the clog to make the drain active again.

    • You can use a water pressure washer to unclog a French drain. The washer works by sending water down the drainage at extremely high pressure.

    It’s advisable to stand at the side of the drainage opening while sending water down the drain since it may back up upon reaching the clog.

    You should aim the water towards the bottom section of the drainage. Doing so will make it easier to get rid of the clog. Remember to move the pressure washer around to clean the pipe on the sides.

    • If the clogs are extremely adamant, then try to remove them with a plumber’s snake. If you’re using a water pressure washer but it doesn’t dislodge the clog, water will still back up from the drainage.

    A plumber’s snake refers to lengthy piping that is inserted into blocked drainage. It stops moving further down the drainage upon reaching the clog. Once it stops moving, push it gently onto the clog.

    Doing so will loosen up or break up the clog. You can break up the clog further and push it down the drainage by using the water pressure washer.

    Use both the water pressure washer and the plumber’s snake to completely get rid of the clog. This way, water will freely flow down the drainage.

    After carrying out these steps and the clog persists, we advise you to call a proper professional to inspect your drain and have it adequately fixed. 

    Recommended: 7 Simple Steps On How to Build A Rock Drainage Ditch

    Can French drains fail? 

    Numerous homeowners fail to lodge a drainpipe in their French drain. Consequently, their drain system won’t be able to regulate heavy water flow.

    The notion of a French drain is to route pooling surface water where you want it to go. However, this circumstance diminishes the effectiveness of the French drain in mitigating idle water.

    It’s better to include the drainpipe with the first go-around. Someday, you’ll realize that you have to dig the French drain up to lodge the pipe later, possibly after a serious storm.

    Another typical reason for French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees. Because the drain collects moisture, plant roots invade the pipe looking for water.

    Summary

    In conclusion, don’t ignore a clogged French drain. We advise you to call in a professional to inspect your drain, clean it up annually, and have it adequately fixed when necessary. 

    Victor

    Related Posts

    Best Gardening Trousers 2023: Men’s And Women’s Options

    March 10, 2023

    10 Best Gardening Hats For Men And Women

    March 9, 2023

    Gardening For Children | Kids Gardening Tools

    March 3, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Don't Miss

    33 Colorful Houseplants You’ll Love

    By Vikky jayMarch 15, 20230

    In the world of gardening, there are hundreds of houseplants with different varieties each with…

    14 Indoor Plants That Grow From Seeds

    March 14, 2023

    7 True Low-Light Houseplants

    March 13, 2023

    17 Of The Most Fragrant Houseplants To Grow Indoors 

    March 12, 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Our Picks

    33 Colorful Houseplants You’ll Love

    March 15, 2023

    14 Indoor Plants That Grow From Seeds

    March 14, 2023

    7 True Low-Light Houseplants

    March 13, 2023

    17 Of The Most Fragrant Houseplants To Grow Indoors 

    March 12, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

    Affiliate Program

    Garden Wisper is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and some of other companies linked to on this site.

    Latest Posts
    About Garden Wisper
    About Garden Wisper

    Here at Garden Wisper, we strive to provide the best practical, real-world advice and tips on how to make your garden the best it can be.

    Garden wisper provides detailed information ranging from plant growth, food production, plant care, and general gardening advice for your home.

    Continue Reading: HERE

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms and Conditions
    © 2023 Garden Wisper. Designed by WACN.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.