When to do the french drain?

[Eli M.]

Dear BP family,

I was wondering, when is it necessary to do the french drain? Why do flippers tend to do the french drain?

Thank you in  advance,

Eli M

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

French Drains are a great way to go. There is no electricity or any moving parts involved and it is a permanent solution when done properly. I live on the edge of the Washington Rain Forest. We have a barn at the bottom of a long hill that used to get soaked every winter. Could not really store anything in it that was not in plastic garbage cans. I showed my gardener the basics and he installed a drain along the back wall and down one side; and Presto! It is bone dry in there now and stays that way. Also did one around my primary in California years ago.............yes, it rains in California; it worked perfectly for the 30 years we owned the place.

It does not require any expertise to install a French drain-just remember that water flows downhill-and it is a permanent solution; there are youtube videos to help you.