What are French Drains?

French Drains are an elegant and effective way to drain rainwater away from your foundation. Traditional downspouts end at the base where the gutter meets the foundation (example in the top left picture above). When using these traditional downspouts, it becomes necessary to have either a concrete or plastic splash guard at the base. This prevents rainwater from washing out the soil. Unfortunately, these splash guards usually come with their own brand of problems. Plastic splash guards are too light and can move or be blown away in the wind. And oddly enough, concrete splash guards can actually cause water to gather and cause serious maintenance issues such as mold, insects and moist soil. In conclusion, French Drains are the best solution for downspouts that easily get over-flooded.