Understanding Yard Drainage in Orlando: French Drains, Collection Boxes, & More

Posted by Joe Mouad on Jun 22, 2020 1:51:35 PM

Read anything fascinating about yard drainage lately?

What? You don’t think yard drains are fascinating? Hmm, maybe it’s just us.

But if you live in a newer Orlando neighborhood, chances are you need some kind of yard drainage.

Drainage here in Orlando is a continuing problem as the city grows. All the dry areas have already been developed, so nearly all the houses in new neighborhoods have drainage problems. The already-wet ground can’t absorb extra water.

New homes also often have poor soil, so water doesn’t seep in as well as it should.

What kind of yard drain is best for your house?

Let’s take a look. 

A Yard Drainage Basic: Collection Boxes

Collection boxes, also called catch basins, are a yard drainage staple.

It’s basically a 12-inch-square box with a grate on top and a drainage pipe that slopes away from the basin.

Placed in the ground at a low point on your property, or wherever drainage is a problem, they work pretty simply — water and debris enter the box through the grate. Solids settle to the bottom while water drains out of the pipe and is diverting to the street storm drains.

A collection box will catch water in one spot, covering the 12 inches or so where it’s installed.

This a great yard drainage solution for catching the water from the channel drain that runs between your pool or patio, or taking care of the water your air conditioner drains. 

Downspout water that doesn't drain away from your foundation can easily flood your basement, so collection boxes are great for beneath downspouts, too.

It’s a simple solution for easy fixes. But sometimes you need something more. 

Next Up: French Drains

Sound too fancy? A French drain has nothing to do with France. It’s pretty basic, really — a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe inside.

French drain in Orlando lawn

It’s named after a Massachusetts farmer, Henry French, who wrote about the technique in his 1859 book on farm drainage.

French drains, typically installed next to your home’s foundation, use gravity to divert your yard’s excess water. Water flows into the trench, soaks down through the gravel and into the pipe, which diverts it away from your yard.

The gravel also blocks the passage of excess debris.

French drains differ from standard collection boxes because they collect water over the entire length of the drain, which can span the length of your house, instead of in just one particular spot. 

French drain installation in Orlando

Measuring a couple feet wide, 18 inches deep and several feet long, French drains can handle a lot of water. 

They’re great if you have backyard flooding, or water problems in your basement or with your foundation.

But they’re also a lot of work to install, so they’re expensive.

So, there’s another option.

Meet the NDS EZ-Drain: a French Drain Alternative 

An alternative to the French drain, the NDS EZ-Drain installs without gravel, saving a lot of time and money. 

EZ-Drain bundles consist of fabric, lightweight gravel substitute, and pipe. It’s like an entire yard drainage system, bundled neatly together.

It drains excess water in much the same way as a French drain, but it can’t handle as much water as expansive French drains. 

It cuts installation time in half by eliminating the need to transport, shovel, and move heavy gravel.

Yard Drainage: Why Bother?

If all of these yard drainage solutions sound like too much trouble, then you probably haven’t needed waders to get to your backyard grill or watched entire families of ducks paddle past your kitchen window.

Excess water is no joke. 

lawn with drainage problem

It can damage your building’s foundation, erode and crack sidewalks, driveways and retaining walls.

Landscapes that drain poorly can cause problems inside the house, too — especially in your basement.

Too much water creates mold and mildew and causes cracks in interior walls and exterior surfaces. Damp conditions can even encourage mosquitoes and rodents to breed.

Yard Drainage Problems? Trust Ground Source 

If you’re still with us after all this, you probably regularly see standing water on your property. Or you’ve noticed your grass stays saturated, long after the rain stops. Or water pools in your garage or basement after a heavy rainstorm.

Not sure what type of yard drain you need? Get out of those wet socks and give us a call. 

We’re yard drainage experts, but our skills don’t stop there. 

We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.

Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.

Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.

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Image source: flooded lawn