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My understanding of French drains was limited to an article I read a few years back. It talked about water draining down into a tiled channel and then into a gutter. I believe if French drains can be used this way they can also be adapted into draining into other forms of storage. Ponds, cisterns, rain barrels and who knows what else. Anyway this page is dedicated to the term French drains which now is becoming a common term on the Internet and in construction though the methods and opinions vary.
Ask the Builder-Linear French Drains-Advice from Tim Carter on the purpose for a simple French drain and what happens to the silt.
Bay Area Drainage-California-French drains actually help remove water so you have fewer issues with mold and mildew.
Berger Building Products-You will find a listing of various parts for gutters. The ones I like are made of copper.
Builders Web Source-Some good advice on problems with drainage. A story on a family who's home was abandoned when water came up 'with soil' six feet into their basement. I must admit it would be hard to use French Drains in their location as they were in the lowest part of a development.
DIY Doctor-A nice little article on FD. I learned that FD do fill up with soil and become clogged over time and are not meant to replace regular water drains. (Note: This is the old style of building FD's)
Drainage-The roof collects a lot of water. Also other issues that have arisen over the years. Interesting article.
Forest Road Deactivation Practice-A french drain is a subsurface drainage structure installed to diffuse heavy seepage or ground water piping which may be encountered during road construction or deactivation.
Foundation Repair Association-A very comprehensive page on various ways of dealing with water around the house and yard.
French Drains-I have heard some FD do plug up. This site recommends a riser where the plug can be cleaned out. Some other good info also.
French Drains for gravel Driveways-how the FD changed their flooding problems for the better.
GRP-French Drains can also be used alongside highways to drain away excess moisture and perhaps even deal with hydrocarbons.
HGTV Pro-They have a nice little video on producing French Drains using a modern style along the side of a house.
Installing French Drains-Lots of pictures of a construction of one.
Satiruium-Short satire with William Stockton on the words French drain and the 'clogging' that took place when the name French was changed.
Scenic Nursery-Garden blog on FD's. A few interesting ideas and thoughts.
Sky Bolt Enterprises-Article on French Drains. One of the best I've read covers its history as well. Here is an excerpt: A French drain is a trench filled with rocks, gravel, sand or other pervious media constructed to absorb and direct water to a distant point. Sometimes the trench is lined with tiles. Modern French drains often include a porous, cloth-covered pipe for faster drainage and longer effectiveness. French drains are also known as blind drains because the entrance of water is by percolation and not open channels and most often they are not noticeable.
Unexco-First time I had heard there were two types of French Drains both inside and outside. A brief description.
Water Proofing-French Drains are commonly used behind retaining walls.This is most effective on large or tall walls of poured concrete, or brick/stone laid up with mortar (because there is no easy way for water to escape from the wall).
What's so French about French Drains-Article on Henry French who seems to have been the source for the name. He wrote a book on Farm Drainage and covered a huge amount of information on the subject back in 1859.
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