Flooding is one of the most expensive home disasters in Texas. In 2023, homeowners in North Texas reported over $1 billion in water damage repairs. That kind of damage doesn’t come from hurricanes alone. It often comes from poor yard drainage during heavy storms.
French drains prevent flooding by redirecting water away from your home. They reduce standing water, protect foundations, and save you from massive repair bills.
Texas Water Boys has been installing and repairing French drains across Carrollton, Rockwall, Van Alstyne, and surrounding cities since 1986. Here’s everything you need to know about how a French drain can keep your home safe and dry.
What Is a French Drain?
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that redirects surface and groundwater away from your property. It’s an underground system that moves water from where you don’t want it—like near your foundation—to where it can safely drain, such as a curb, street, or dry well.
Components of a French Drain System
- Trench: Dug at a slight slope to encourage gravity-driven water flow.
- Perforated Pipe: Usually made of PVC or flexible plastic, buried in the trench to collect and transport water.
- Gravel: Surrounds the pipe, allowing water to flow easily toward it.
- Landscape Fabric: Prevents dirt from clogging the pipe while allowing water to pass through.
How French Drains Work
French drains collect excess water and reroute it away from your home. Rainwater flows through the gravel and into the perforated pipe. That pipe channels it to a designated drainage area.
Because the trench is sloped, water naturally flows away from areas like your foundation or low spots in your yard. This minimizes soil erosion, prevents basement leaks, and protects concrete slabs from shifting or cracking.
6 Reasons French Drains Prevent Costly Home Damage
1. Eliminates Yard Flooding
Heavy rainfall in North Texas often causes water to pool in low areas. French drains help your yard shed excess water quickly, keeping your lawn healthy and walkable.
2. Prevents Foundation Cracks
Too much moisture around your foundation causes soil to expand, contract, and shift. Over time, this leads to costly cracks. A French drain keeps the soil around your foundation stable.
3. Protects Basement and Crawlspaces
Water seeps through basement walls and crawlspaces when drainage is poor. French drains divert water before it reaches your home’s perimeter.
4. Reduces Mold and Mildew
Standing water increases humidity around your home—creating the perfect conditions for mold. French drains keep things dry, making it harder for mold to grow.
5. Improves Property Value
A professionally installed drainage system signals proper maintenance to future buyers. Homes with good drainage sell faster and at higher prices.
6. Prepares Your Home for North Texas Storms
In cities like Carrollton and Rockwall, storms drop 2-3 inches of rain in a matter of hours. French drains prepare your property for these conditions.
Do You Need a French Drain?
You may need a French drain if:
- You notice standing water after rain.
- Your basement or crawlspace smells damp.
- Your foundation shows signs of cracking.
- Your yard becomes muddy and unusable after storms.
Texas Water Boys evaluates your property and drainage patterns to determine the best location, pipe depth, and slope.
Where French Drains Are Most Effective
French drains work best in these areas:
- Around home foundations to redirect roof runoff
- In low spots of your yard where water tends to pool
- Near retaining walls to relieve pressure from saturated soil
- Around patios, decks, or pool areas where puddles form
We often combine French drains with surface drains or sump pumps to create a complete water management system.
Installation Process from Texas Water Boys
- Site Assessment: Our licensed professionals evaluate elevation and water flow issues.
- Custom Drain Design: We calculate slope, pipe placement, and outlet locations.
- Excavation: We dig precise trenches while protecting existing landscaping.
- Installation: We lay pipe, add gravel and fabric, and secure the system.
- Backfill and Restoration: We cover the trench and restore the area to blend with your yard.
Each system is tailored to your property’s needs, using only the highest-quality products like NDS drainage materials and Liberty pumps.
French Drain Maintenance Tips
To keep your French drain working properly:
- Clean gutters regularly to reduce runoff overflow.
- Avoid planting deep-rooted trees near drain paths.
- Watch for soggy areas or slow water drainage after storms.
- Call for service every 2–3 years to inspect for clogs or blockages.
Texas Water Boys offers drain cleaning and repair services to keep your system in top shape.
Why Choose Texas Water Boys?
With over 36 years of experience, we know Texas soil, storms, and drainage challenges. We’re a fully licensed and insured team that uses only the best materials from Hunter, Rainbird, NDS, and Liberty.
We’re proud to be a trusted name in Carrollton, Rockwall, Van Alstyne, and beyond. Our team is trained, reliable, and committed to solving water problems the right way—by the Golden Rule.
Schedule Your Drainage Service Today
Don’t wait until the next storm causes thousands of dollars in water damage. A French drain installed by Texas Water Boys protects your foundation, prevents erosion, and gives you peace of mind.
Call us now at:
- Carrollton: (972) 733-4343
- Rockwall: (972) 737-2589
- Van Alstyne: (972) 544-6294
Texas Water Boys is your go-to expert for sprinkler installation, irrigation repair, and professional drainage solutions.
