CATCH BASIN a surface drain that looks like a box. The discharge hole is in the side of it about 3 inches from the bottom of the box, allowing silt and trash to fall to the bottom, and as the water rises, it will drain down, leaving most of the silt and trash.

CLOSED DRAIN SYSTEM a drainage correction system whereas the water is collected in surface drains or gutters, then discharged through a non perforated pipe. When a perforated pipe is used to collect the moisture, it is called a French drain.

CULVERT a drain for storm water placed under a road or berm of soil.

EROSION the removal of soil by wind or water from a surface area.

FRENCH DRAIN has been described simply as a ditch full of rocks. Many engineers call a French drain "lowering the water table". French drains are intended most always for subsurface water problems only, whereas as the water table rises, it will fall into this "ditch full of rocks", and then into a perforated pipe at the bottom of the rocks that will discharge the collected water downhill or to a pump. French drains typically run horizontally around the perimeter of the affected area. Any structure underground, as in a basement, garage, or room, must be accompanied by a perimeter French drain, and sometimes other means, to prevent certain and sure water problems. Caution: even though many call all drainage corrections a French drain, really subsurface moisture problems are the only place for a French drain. A surface drain system is usually employed, with proper grading to correct most 'surface' drainage problems.

PERFORATED PIPE pipe used in mostly subsurface drainage correction that has holes in about 80% of it's sides. The remaining side without the perforations is installed on the bottom to discharge the water that percolates through the holes in the pipe.

POP UP DRAINS a drain at the end of a drain pipe that pops up when enough water pressure builds up behind it. This is considered a poor choice in drainage correction because water will pond inside the pipe for long periods of time, allowing a breeding pond for mosquitoes and bugs.

SURFACE DRAIN a drain that is like a shower drain, that collects water that flows into it.

SURFACE DRAINAGE also called runoff, includes all water at the surface, originating from rain or possibly from creeks and rivers.

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