DRAINAGE DEFINED
Engineers and Architects generally divide drainage into surface and sub-surface. These are the two basic categories of drain problems, with solutions for each best obtained by a specific style of system. In order to properly analyze drainage solutions, it is important to first have a basic understanding of the types of drainage, Surface and Sub-surface.
...is simply any water that is visible above grade, usually a direct source of rain water, run-off, irrigation, possible leaks etc. Surface drainage is the removal of water from the surface of the land or structure which can be accomplished either by grading in some cases or may be achieved by installing solid drain lines connected to inlet pipes and directed away from the designated problem area and usually exhausted into the street or alley.
... or ground water drainage is the removal or control of water below the surface. In typical sub-surface drains (also called French Drains) water moves readily through voids in crushed stone or gravel to a pipe. Water moves into the pipe through perforations and flows through the pipe-line towards the discharge point, or in many cases, due to depth, to a sump pump.
I. EARLY STAGE: In the earliest stages, signs of poor drainage include water ponding, soil compaction, erosion, soil odors, attraction of insects, drowned plants and lawn areas often too wet to mow. In the early stages it is basically a nuisance problem, which is mostly a surface water problem.
II. PROGRESSING STAGE: As poor drainage issues persists, the related problems become progressively more serious and may affect the habitability of the property that is wet carpet in “slab construction”, buckled wood floors in “pier and beam construction”, mildew on walls and in closets along with termite problems etc. This stage will require very extensive surface style drainage and probably some sub-surface system.