Why Your Drainage System Isn't Working (And What Actually Does)

By Handy Andy

I've been in the home improvement, irrigation, and drainage business for more than 30 years, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that water will always find the path of least resistance. The problem is, sometimes that path leads right into your yard, or even into your home.

A lot of the calls I get start the same way:

"Andy, I already have a French drain, but it doesn't seem to be working."

Or,

"My gutters are overflowing, but they're completely clean."

When I hear that, I know it's time to take a closer look.

The first thing I do when I arrive at a property is inspect the existing drainage system. Homeowners typically don’t know that drainage needs an area large enough to contain the excess water to work effectively. So, when I look at the French drain and only see a few inches of rock spread up against the home, I know that I need to have a talk with the homeowner about what effective drainage actually looks like. 

The same goes for gutters. In many cases, I find downspouts connected to pipes that disappear underground, but that's where the planning stopped. There's no emitter to release the water somewhere else, no protective rock or drainage sock around the pipe to keep dirt out, and often no proper pitch to keep the water flowing in the right direction. Before long, those pipes clog up or hold water instead of moving it.

When drainage systems fail, it's usually because one or more of those important details were overlooked.

One Solution We Use: Dry Wells

Another great option for managing excess water is a dry well.

If you have water pooling between homes, collecting in a low spot in your yard, or constantly gathering near your gutters, a dry well can often make a huge difference. Think of it as a large underground filtering system that allows water to disperse naturally into the surrounding soil rather than sitting on the surface.

They're especially useful for replacing those long gutter extensions that tend to crack, fade, become tripping hazards, or get run over by the lawn mower man every few weeks.

Another Solution We Use: French drains

What a Real French Drain Looks Like

A properly installed French drain isn't a shortcut or a quick fix.

In most situations, it should be installed directly alongside the problem area. Typically, we dig at least two feet deep and about two feet wide, although the exact dimensions depend on how much water needs to be carried away.

The length also matters. The drain should extend beyond the problem area so the water has somewhere to go. Depending on the grade of the property, that could mean extending it an additional five to ten feet or even farther.

Every property is different, which is why drainage isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

When We Need Something More

Sometimes a French drain alone isn't enough. If there's a large area holding water or the property's grade makes drainage difficult, we'll often install a basin system connected to an emitter.

This setup collects the water and moves it underground through a series of connected basins and perforated pipes. The water is then discharged in a lower part of the yard, away from the problem area, or possibly a dry well depending upon the grade.

To keep everything working properly for years to come, the pipes are surrounded by drainage rock or a protective drainage sock designed to keep dirt from clogging the system. Just as important, the pipes must be pitched correctly so water flows naturally from one basin to the next and eventually reaches the emitter.

That attention to detail is what separates a drainage system that works for decades from one that fails after the first heavy rain.

The Best Part of the Job

Over the years, we've installed French drains, dry wells, and drainage systems for homeowners, commercial properties, HOA communities, and multifamily residences.

But I'll tell you the truth, my favorite part isn't the installation itself.

It's getting the phone call afterward.

The call where a customer says, "Andy, the standing water is finally gone."

Or,

"The gutters are draining like they're supposed to."

Or even better,

"We don't have water coming into the house anymore."

That's why I do what I do.

There's a lot of satisfaction in solving a problem that's been frustrating someone for months or even years and giving them peace of mind every time it rains.

Don't Ignore Standing Water

If you're dealing with water pooling around your home, overflowing gutters, soggy areas in your yard, or drainage issues that never seem to go away, don't wait until the problem becomes more expensive.

The right drainage solution can protect your landscaping and most importantly, your home.

Give Handy Andy's Handyman & Sprinkler Repair a call at (407) 522-2730.

Because when repairs are a must... who do you trust?