In addition, drainage around buildings is important to prevent leaks and moisture intrusion into building foundations and walls.
Drainage systems can use a variety of techniques to remove unwanted water from an area, whether on a residential, commercial, or golf course site.

Surface Drainage Systems

Surface drainage systems aim to collect excess surface water from hardscaping, planter beds, window wells, and specific turf areas where water tends to collect. Water enters a surface drainage system through catch basins, which have a sump area that collects debris to prevent clogging of the piping.

Catch basins and drainage grates that go on top of them are available in a variety of sizes and styles depending upon the application.

Round drainage grates are used in turf areas.
Square drainage grates are used for hardscaped areas; walkways, driveways, parking lots, around swimming pools, etc.

Atrium drainage grates have a raised “domelike” design to prevent debris from building on top of the grate openings. These are used in window wells, planter areas, and other applications where bark mulch, stone, or landscape debris would tend to cover drain openings.

Another form of the surface drainage system is the channel drain. Channel drains are frequently used in paved areas to collect water. They are essentially an extended trough or catch basin covered by a long grate. Typical channel drains can be 10’ long and 4” wide. Channel drains are also connected together with solid piping.

Sub-Surface Drainage

The most frequently used form of sub-surface drainage is the French Drain or underground collection drain. This drain collects underground water from saturated soils and carries it to a desired destination. Sub-surface drains help carry water away from low spots and can protect drainage sensitive plant material.

Downspout Drainage

Drain lines can be used to carry roof water from downspouts away from buildings and planting beds. Downspout drain lines can be especially helpful if the natural grade around a building does not cause water to move away from the foundation. Downspouts can be connected to solid PVC or corrugated plastic drain pipes to carry roof water away from the building.

Constructing a French Drain

French Drains collect sub-surface water from poorly drained areas and carry it to a main drainage line, dry well, ravine, or the street. French drains can intercept water that is draining from adjacent properties and carry it away before it enters your landscape.

In areas with severe drainage problems, multiple perforated lines are used as water collectors or interceptor drains. Water enters the perforations in the drain lines when the surrounding media is saturated and can be carried away more quickly than just by percolating though the gravel.

If desired you can connect the french drain perforated lines into a main, non-perforated header line to collect and carry the water to it’s intended destination.