Septic Tank Problems And how to solve them!
No one ever likes to have excess water on your property unless your filling a pool or pond. In your household, there has to be a certain amount of water allowed to be used and drained out. This way, the components of the property can be used efficiently. It is no secret that certain parts of the property can be subjected to excessive amounts of water. This could deteriorate the surrounding structure such as your home’s foundation. That is why many homeowners opt to putting in French drains.
It is imperative that a French drain be built around your home to divert the pooling water at its sides away from your living area. The French drain is basically a trench that has a perforated pipe running along the bottom of it, then covered with gravel. Aside from the water that comes from the surface, the French drain also intercepts the water in between rocks and soil or the groundwater. It essentially waterproofs your home so that it could last for a longer period, never worrying about the premature damages brought about by stagnant water or retained moisture.
When excessive amounts of water enter the French drain, it fails to do its work efficiently. Yes, I does get rid of the water that builds up around your home but since it is also a filter, it needs to do its job in the right amounts. The French drain can overflow and this could defeat the purpose it is designed for. The excess water that enters the French drain can come from surface water or from the groundwater. It may also be from the water you use around the home. Surface water can come from the surrounding bodies of water or from rainfall.
There are times when there is too much rainfall that it elevates the levels of ponds, streams, lakes, or rivers. If your house is situated near such bodies of water, there is a tendency for the water to take over your French drain. This allows sediments to overwhelm the French drain system. It also slows down the efficiency of the system to divert water away from your home. Like any other component in your property, French drains depend on gravity so they take time to work.
Too much rainfall can also increase the amount of groundwater that your French drain handles. There is a huge possibility that the increase in groundwater levels and surface water levels can happen simultaneously. When this happens, the process of waterproofing your home may not happen efficiently. It’s even aggravated if you use water around the home and dump it on the soil around you house, thinking the French drain will take care of it. You should know how to keep excess water away from French drains so that you can have a safe home to live in. As a French drain owner, you should know how to take care and properly use the French drain and not abuse it. The following are some practical things on how you can keep excess water away from French drains:
1) Change the drain location of your rain gutter.
Rain gutters are installed to divert rainwater from pooling near your foundation and damaging it. The runoff usually falls near or over the French drain, assuming that the drain will eliminate the excess water in no time. The sediments will immediately clog the French drain and the diversion of excess water will not happen that quickly. This results to the weakening of your home’s foundation. Let your rainwater drain away from the French drain so that the system can work more efficiently.
2) Be responsible when disposing of water.
When you use water around the house, do not dump it into your French drain. Too much excess water will imped on your French drains effectiveness. Tub water and water from your washing machine and dishwasher should be diverted into your greywater system so that they could be treated.
The French drain is an indispensable tool in keeping your home’s foundation prime condition. Consult your septic or drain expert to help you keep excess water from French drains.
