A French Drain is a polypropylene box that is buried underground at a certain depth.  It has an open grate at the top that collects water in a low area or bottom of a trough.  It has one or more outlets that allow the water to exit into an underground pipe and into a lower body of water.  We find that a properly-installed French Drain is as effective as an underground pipe connected to a downspout.  Many factors go into a French Drain installation including size of box, number of boxes, depth, and positioning.

Sometimes, several boxes need to be used if an area collects a lot of water.

Channel drains are designed to withstand a certain amount of weight from lawn care equipment and foot traffic.  They can be used in landscaping applications such as in grass, but must be installed with a concrete footing to work properly.  The depth of the box and angle at which the water approaches is very important so it must be installed by a certified contractor or concrete mason.  These have proven to be effective on high volumes of water, if there is wide sheet flow causing the erosion instead of concentrated flow in one narrow channel.

Often, the back or side of a property needs a swale or culvert to direct water out to the road.  It is important to get the downward pitch just right so that the water flows at the intended velocity.  Also, you must prepare the area with a special woven underlayment and top it with a good aggregate such as shell or stone.  This should create a permanent solution that carries water and lasts a long time.

The ultimate goal is to carry as must water as possible from the roofs and properties into the lake or stormwater management system before it enters the local canals and eventually the Gulf of America.  This helps prevent costly erosion, land loss, potential fines, and property damange.