Pros and Cons Comparison: French Drains vs Catch Basins vs Channel Drains

It is important for any lawn to have proper drainage, as standing water can destroy areas of a lawn, as well as trees and shrubs in the area. Standing water on patios and recreational surfaces can also lead to degradation of the surfaces. The following will be a pros and cons comparison of three different types of lawn drainage: French Drains vs Catch Basins vs Channel Drains. These can help you narrow down which is right for your specific needs.

Pros and Cons Comparison:
French Drains vs Catch Basins vs Channel Drains
These three types of drains can be quite effective in certain situations, but it is important to know which one will fit your individual needs and the needs of your lawn or patio. Our team of specialists can help walk you through the process of choosing and installing your preferred type of drainage.

French Drains
A French drain is a type of drain that involves digging a trench and filling it with a well-draining substrate and a pipe which will collect the water and funnel it off to a better location.
    
Pros

• French drains are effective at channeling water away from areas of the lawn that it is undesirable.
• French drains are great for lawns that have wet or swampy areas.
• The mechanism is simple and effective.

    
Cons    

• French drain installation involves excavating large areas of a lawn.
• There may be a need to install a French drain underneath existing landscaping or patios, and this would require excavating through or under those features
• Service and repair of a French drain system requires digging the drain back up and locating the problem.

Catch Basins
Catch basins are installed in the lowest part of a lawn to “catch” all the runoff that comes from the roof of the house, patios, and higher areas of the lawn. These may require another type of channel or drainage to direct the water into the basin.

Pros    

• Catch basins are great for lawns that have a low area where water collects.
• They hold water in a concrete basin which will keep it from creating a swampy area in the lawn.
• They are an effective way of keeping the runoff from standing in the lowest area of the lawn.

 Cons

• They may require more drainage to be installed both to and from the basin.
• There may be a need to clean debris from the bottom of the basin occasionally.
• The water sitting in the basin can attract mosquitoes.

Channel Drains
Channel Drains are an effective way to direct water from a hard surface such as a driveway or patio. These work well for preventing water from collecting in or near a garage, on sidewalks, or on pool patios.

Pros

• Channel drains can direct patio and driveway runoff to reinforced areas of a lawn to prevent soil erosion.
• They can be easy to maintain, as simple as removing a grate and scooping out debris.
• Easy to install in existing surfaces without total excavation of the patio, driveway, or sidewalk.

Cons

• If the inside of the channel breaks, it may require total replacement.
• If areas at each end of channel are not reinforced, the high-water flow may cause washouts.

    
Whether you are looking to combat swampy areas of your lawn, keep water off your patios and sidewalks, or channel excess water away from a garden, these choices cover several needs and circumstances. Our team of professionals can walk you through choosing the right type of drainage for your specific needs, as well as installation and maintenance of whatever you choose.