We have a gravel
driveway that
is 200 metres long. During the winter, melt water would run down
the driveway and exit onto the road. Since the driveway is so long, the
water volume built up as it ran toward the road. The flood tended to
erode the gravel and leave large ruts where large volumes of water
ran toward the road.
In the summer of 2004 we decided to try a french drain. We dug a trench
across the driveway and sloped it down toward a small ditch. That ditch
runs beside the driveway down to the large roadside ditch.
We then filled the trench with coarse gravel. It was a miracle!
Whenever a big rainstorm arrived, the water, just as before, started
down the driveway. When it hit the french drain, it disappeared. There
was no more gravel erosion.
In the winter, the upper part of the driveway still accumulates ice and
snow. After the french drain, the ice disappears. A day of sun usually
burns away the snow on the lower part of the driveway and leaves our
beautiful smooth gravel while the upper part of the driveway is still
covered with ice.
We can see now that a few more french drains would go a long way toward
keeping our driveway ice free throughout the winter.
French
Drains for Soggy Lawns
Another property in town is located in a very wet area. Each spring the
lawn was soggy all through May. By putting in a system of french
drains, the lawn dries out about a month before his neighbours'
properties do.
It is easy to install lawn drains. Hire a backhoe to dig a trench
downhill toward a storm sewer. The backhoe will do it quickly and save
your back. If desired, the trench can be lined with agricultural
fabric. Almost fill the trench with coarse gravel. If you are using
agricultural fabric, cover the gravel with fabric. Then fill the last
of the trench with coarse building sand. You can then cover the sand
with grass seed to hide your french drain. Your water problems should
now be a thing of the past.
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