Retaining Wall vs French Drain: Which Drainage Solution Is Right for Your Property in the Saline, MI Area?
If you are looking for a drainage solution in the Saline, MI area, you may be wondering if a retaining wall or a French drain is best for your outdoor space. While both are good options, each can serve a specific set of needs and may be a better fit with your landscape. There are several considerations when weighing the pros and cons of your drainage solution.
French Drain vs. Retaining Wall
Although a French drain and a retaining wall are both drainage solutions, they are vastly different. A French drain is specifically designed to move water from one part of your property to another. It is a perforated pipe that is buried in the ground and covered with soil or rock. As water seeps into the ground, the pipe transports it to a more appropriate area to prevent flooding and standing water. French drains work well on flat or sloping properties.
A retaining wall is designed to prevent soil erosion and water runoff. These features are typically made from stone or brick and can be used to level out a sloped yard. A retaining wall is especially helpful for properties with very steep slopes where water runoff is the primary concern and can cause significant damage.
How Much Water?
One of the first questions to answer is how much water your property receives. If your property is more likely to see large amounts of standing water, a French drain might be the best drainage solution for you. Designed to handle large amounts of water, your French drain can take water from the area prone to flooding and move it to a rain garden or other space that is designated to handle the excess water.
How Sloped Is Your Landscape?
While a slight slope can help a French drain move water more efficiently, a steeper slope may require a retaining wall. If your slope is receiving a lot of rainfall, your property may also be at risk of soil erosion. A retaining wall can not only help divert the water but prevent any excess soil movement and keep your landscape intact.
How Is the Soil?
You’ll also want to consider the type of soil on your property. If you have very dense soil, like clay, it may be harder for water to seep into the ground. This can result in more standing water which is often the right scenario for a French drain. With a French drain, you can cover the perforated pipe with pea, gravel or other crushed rock so that water can move between and find the drainage pipe more easily.
What Will the Drainage Solution Look Like?
Although they function similarly, a French drain and a retaining wall provide two very different visual effects. A French drain can be completely or partially hidden in your landscape. Because the mechanics of the French drain occur underground, you can cover the French drain with soil that can support plant growth that matches the rest of your lawn and other greenery. You can also cover your French drain with rocks to create a contrast between the French drain and the rest of your property while still keeping it an understated feature.
On the other hand, a retaining wall is usually a larger feature that should be planned for in conjunction with your other landscape features. This wall can be multi-purpose and support a beautifully tiered garden or pair well with a paver patio. You are also not limited in design with a retaining wall—you can choose from a variety of earth-tone materials to create a retaining wall that complements the rest of your landscape while still adding a modern element like a smooth, darker colored coping.
Related: 3 Tips for Making a Retaining Wall a Usable Addition to Your Paver Patio in the Canton, MI Area
About the Author
Through consistent communication among all our lawn care, landscape maintenance, and irrigation team members, Local Life provides efficient and reliable landscape solutions. From our full property analysis during our maintenance visits to the expert design and construction options we offer, we provide a wide range of services for keeping landscapes beautiful. And our customers’ satisfaction is second-to-none. Everything we do follows our core set of values—safety, accountability, continuous learning, teamwork, and integrity. Our knowledgeable team has your property’s best interest at heart.