LANDSCAPE DRAINAGE, FRENCH DRAINS, AND SUMP PUMPS

Contrary to what the popular hysteria currently says, the Earth Operates in cycles. Always has and always will. Mother Earth will be here after humans are gone. And more than likely, Mother Earth will see to that. Anyway, California is a large state. Half of it is covered in desert, the other has a luscious flora with trees everywhere. The fake boarder at the edge of the land touches the ocean, filled with bays and inlets, the other fake boarder on the east has some of the most spectacular mountains and ranges. Half the state is wet, the other half is dry, 90% of the time. But the storms do come, and they come in heavy at times. The term El Niño and La Niña have much to do with this. The term was used by the Incas and the earliest Americans.

El Nino happens on the west coast and above the land in the jet streams. It occurs around the Christmas season and can last into the summer or more. That is where the name El Nino name comes from, the child Christ. This “El Nino” brings rivers of water and other disastrous disruptions, such as wind, warm water, and warm temperatures, this happens up and down the west coasts in the Americas - California. No need to panic and no need to try to blame humans or get the government to try to resolve this natural occurrence. It happens, it’s been happening for millions of years, yes before humans and it will happen after i stop typing. Here is what you can do:

Landscape Drainage should come out of each pipe clear and clean.

Storm water creates problems only in the built environment, Suprise, Suprise! Meaning, only were we live, alter the earth or travel. Why, because we, smarty pants humans, build in the path of the natural rain and water runoffs. We think that our retaining walls and foundations will divert the water no problem, sure… right. But guess what, nature does not think so. Rain is made to “run off” and find a stream, river natural lake (not a dam, dams will fail too), or mother ocean again. But first the earth needs to drink and soak up what it can. Only after that will the earth allow the rain to sheet flow on the surface or run off. But hold on the water does move below your feet in what is know as Subsurface runoff. You to can get the water to move below your feet so that you do not flood or cause irreversible damage to property.

• French Drains

  This is a system of drainpipes that are placed in a trench below the surface and back filled with drain rock and wrapped in filter fabrics, the system allows for infiltration of surface water, this system only works if you have sufficient slope towards a point where the water can day light and continue its natural path to the streams.

• Subsurface Drains

  This is a system of drainpipes that are placed in a trench below the surface and are back filled with natural soils. they do not allow infiltration into the pipes as French drains systems. These subsurface pipes depend on other means to capture the rainwater to move it along underground. Other means include, Area Drains, Catch Casins, Roof Gutters and Downspouts. These drains will not work if the rainwater capturing systems become clogged or are not regular cleaned.

• Sump Pumps

  This is a mechanical system used to move water from a place where it is trapped, or the topography does not allow for the water to move, creating a severe problem for the human. You find sump pumps in crawlspaces, in basements and in valleys. This system is exactly what it sounds like. You will need a pump, the size varies, depending on the amount of water that is needed to move in order not to overwhelm the pumps capacity. You will need an electrical source to get these pumps to operate. These pumps will also need routine maintenance to keep them clean and working properly.

These are the basics there is more, lots more:

Most importantly the Rules, Codes and other cautionary ordinances need to be observed with Rainwater and drainage pipes!

Prevent pollution by installing proper preventative measures. Run off from roofs and poorly installed drainage systems is bad for the environment.