Our downspout spills out onto our patio, and the water would then make its way out into the yard.
We recently had some new landscaping installed, and the landscaper built a berm along the patio. He didn't give any consideration to drainage.
We had a heavy rain yesterday, and the berm prevented water from escaping, and the patio was flooded.
My father-in-law is a builder, and he told me to install French drains. He told me that when I go to the home store, ask for French drains. But after Googling and reading about these, it seems to me a French drain is an idea, not a specific product. Am I wrong about that?
Is there actually a "French drain" product? What would it be? PVC pipe that's perferated only on one side?
And is it mandatory that I use gravel? Can I just bury a drain pipe under the berm to direct the water out into the low part of the yard?
I'd ask my father-in-law, but I don't want him to think I'm any more stupid then he already does.
Hope someone can help set me straight without meanness and sarcasm. :)