If parts of your yard turn into puddles every time it rains, the problem may be more than an inconvenience. Poor drainage can leave lawns soggy, wash away landscaping and contribute to erosion around your property.
One of the most common ways to manage excess water is a French drain. And with hurricane season bringing the potential for periods of heavy rainfall to coastal North Carolina, now is a great time to tackle those drainage projects you’ve been putting off.
For a limited time, Bianchi Brickyard is offering 5% off online orders of drainage rock and drainage pipe, so you can get the materials you need and get to work before the next big storm.
What Is a French Drain?
Despite the name, a French drain isn’t particularly complicated. It’s essentially a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that gives excess water a path to travel away from areas where you don’t want it.
Water enters through the drainage rock and flows into the perforated pipe below. From there, the pipe directs it toward an appropriate outlet or lower area of the property.
The result? Instead of sitting on the surface and creating a soggy mess, excess water has somewhere to go.
Signs Your Yard Could Benefit From Better Drainage
You don’t have to wait for a major storm to figure out whether your property has a drainage problem. Your yard will usually give you a few clues.
Some common signs include:
- Puddles that remain long after it stops raining
- Consistently muddy or soggy areas
- Water collecting along walkways, patios or driveways
- Landscape beds that regularly wash out
- Visible erosion after heavy rain
- Areas of the lawn that struggle because they’re frequently saturated
If you’re seeing the same problem every time it rains, adding a drainage solution can help you better manage where that water goes.
Why Is Drainage Rock Used in a French Drain?
Drainage rock is an important part of a properly functioning French drain.
The spaces between the rocks allow water to move through the trench rather than becoming trapped at the surface. From there, the water can reach the perforated pipe and be carried away.
The rock also helps keep soil from directly surrounding the pipe while creating a defined drainage channel through the yard.
That’s why both drainage rock and the right drainage pipe are key materials when planning a French drain project.
Where Can You Use a French Drain?
French drains can be useful in several areas around a residential or commercial property. Depending on the layout and grading of the site, they may be installed to help manage water in low areas of a lawn, alongside driveways or walkways, near landscape beds, or in other areas where runoff regularly collects.
The goal isn’t simply to make water disappear. It’s to give excess water a better route through and away from problem areas.
For more complex drainage issues, particularly water collecting near a home’s foundation or significant flooding, it’s always a good idea to consult a drainage or landscaping professional before starting the project.
Don’t Drown This Hurricane Season
Coastal North Carolina is no stranger to heavy rain. If you already know your yard has a few problem spots, hurricane season isn’t the time to keep ignoring them.
Take advantage of Bianchi Brickyard’s limited-time sale and save 5% on online orders of drainage rock and drainage pipe.
Whether you’re installing a French drain yourself or gathering materials for an upcoming job, you can order what you need online and get your drainage project underway before the next stretch of heavy rain.
Don’t drown this hurricane season. Shop drainage rock and pipe online and save 5% for a limited time.
