Before we get more technical about the two types of drainage systems, let’s see if you understand the basic concepts related to drainage. The first thing to ask is: Why is drainage important?

Whether natural or artificial, drainage keeps extra water off land, houses, and other territory where it’s not welcome. Natural drainage means using natural resources to make the water flow where we want it to. An example of that is adjusting the steepness of your backyard to make sure the rain water flows away, without making a pool out of your garden.

Artificial drainage is a system of man-made pipes, drains, sewers, containers, wells, etc., which all serve the purpose of redirecting excess water away from your property.

By now it’s clear that modern urban societies can’t rely only on natural drainage, so drainage systems are installed everywhere in the world where there are livable and/or arable spaces. Cities usually have their complex network of pipes and other infrastructure that make up a city drainage system, but each property owner can also install their own, improved drainage system for their home.

This is where we get to our main question: What are the drainage system types?

Surface and Sub-Surface Drainage Systems

It is generally agreed upon that there are two main types of drainages: surface and sub-surface drainage systems.

Surface drainage systems remove excess water from the surface of a property which usually accumulates from rain or water leaks. This is achieved using open drains and piping – the water gathers in open drains and flows into the piping which directs the water away from the house.

Sub-surface drainage consists of underground drains and pipes which remove excess water from the soil. There is also a large collector drain that collects all the excess water and transfers it away from the property.

All this water is diverted to some watercourse or a treatment facility.

What Are the Effects of a Poor Drainage System?

You know you have a poor drainage system when your house/property is flooded on a regular basis. When this happens repeatedly, the constantly flooded soil around your home becomes oversaturated, turning into an unstable foundation. If you don’t resolve the problem in time, the damaged foundation may become unrepairable.

Another serious consequence of poor drainage and constant pools around and underneath your home is the spread of diseases, because the stagnant water quickly becomes a breeding site for insects and rodents.

If you notice any signs of flooding or water leaks on your property, it’s best to act sooner rather than later – schedule a drain inspection immediately and think about building a better drainage system.

How Do You Build a Drainage System?

Every urban settlement already has some sort of drainage system installed, and every house that is built has drainage included in the planning phase. However, those draining solutions often aren’t adequate. When you discover their poor performance, you need to build an improved drainage system. It doesn’t have to be anything complex. It can consist of a few simple trenches dug in your backyard, depending on what the problem is.

By now you may be able to tell whether you need a better surface or sub-surface drainage, but let a plumber you trust determine the full strategy for improving your drainage system.

Do you need help with your drainage system? We have a team of licensed technicians ready to assist you. Contact us!