French drains can definitely be a solid solution, but they're not always the best fit for every scenario. In my experience, a lot depends on your property's slope and soil composition. I've seen situations where French drains didn't perform as expected because the soil was heavy clay or compacted, causing water to pool above the drain rather than filtering through properly.
Personally, I found that grading the property correctly—making sure water naturally moves away from the foundation—can sometimes be just as effective (and cheaper). Also, if you have significant vegetation nearby, roots can become a real headache over time. I've had tenants complain about drainage issues only to find out tree roots had completely clogged the system within just a couple of years.
Ground cover is a great suggestion though; plants like creeping juniper or pachysandra really help stabilize slopes. But I'd caution against relying solely on French drains without considering other factors like proper grading, gutter placement, and regular landscaping maintenance. It's usually a combination of solutions that gets the job done right...
I learned the hard way about French drains and tree roots. A few years back, I installed a French drain thinking I'd solved my flooding issues forever. Fast forward two years, and I'm standing ankle-deep in water after a heavy rainstorm, scratching my head. Turns out, the maple tree I'd planted nearby (for shade, ironically) had sent its roots straight into the drain pipe. It was like the tree had personally decided to sabotage my DIY efforts.
Ended up ripping out half the system and redoing it with better grading and some strategic landscaping—creeping juniper was a lifesaver for stabilizing the slope. Honestly, if I'd known earlier how much simpler proper grading and smart planting could be compared to wrestling with clogged pipes, I'd have saved myself a lot of muddy weekends and colorful language...
