If you decide to install a French drain, these steps will guide you through the process:
- Plan your drain’s location, and look for an ideal area for the water to drain. ...
- Dig a trench about 18 inches deep where it begins. ...
- Lay filter fabric inside the trench. ...
- Pour about three inches of gravel into the bottom of the trench as the pipe’s base.
- Install an inlet grate at the beginning of the trench to help capture additional water.
Full Answer
How do you create a French drain?
These include:
- Decide where the french drain will be installed
- Dig trenches for the pipes
- Install the pipes
- Install the gravel
- Install the filter fabric or screen overtop of gravel
- Lay down stones or bricks to create an even surface, which will be covered by soil or mulch in order to help prevent weeds from growing in between them.
Do French drains really work?
If you want to be able to drain groundwater, then the French drain is perfect for the job. This will also work if your soil or yard usually ends up with standing water after a rain. French drains are effective,but if you are planning or redirecting or moving huge amounts of water, then it wont work as successfully.
How to know if you need a French drain?
French Drains. A french drain is needed when the shape of the area is irregular and does not have a central point or the area cannot be modified with berms and swales for different reasons. One real benefit to having a french drain is you will catch water at multiple points when water is traveling doward it and you can catch water over a larger ...
Do I really need a French drain?
Why French Drains are Necessary. If you are a homeowner with a wet basement or a moisture-laden yard, you can likely benefit from a French drain. Any issues with surface water along your property should also spur the installation of a French drain. If your driveway washes out, it is a clear sign you need a French drain.
Can I do a French drain myself?
A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.
How do you make a homemade French drain?
0:318:06DIY French Drain | Cheap Yard Drainage Solution | pt. 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLast spring i did a project where i put in a french drain in this low swale. Along that grass lineMoreLast spring i did a project where i put in a french drain in this low swale. Along that grass line along the fence all the way to the back of my yard. So the first step for me was to remove the sod.
Is there an alternative to a French drain?
Swales or Valleys Swales, also called valleys, are an alternative to French drains that capture and divert rainwater. Swales are shallow ditches that do not contain pipes. You can usually find them along a property's edge, following the natural grade of the land to direct runoff to ditches or wooded areas.
How deep does my French drain need to be?
French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.
Can you build a French drain without pipe?
Installing a French Drain Without a Pipe You don't always need a base, though. If your soil drains well, you can simply dig the trench and cover the bottom with 3 to 4 inches of 3/4-inch drainage rock, depending on the depth of the trench.
What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?
Aside from what we've listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.
Is a swale better than a French drain?
French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.
What is the difference between a French drain and a perimeter drain?
0:272:11French Drain or Perimeter Drain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsually in two different ways. The first one will be buried around the foundation wall on theMoreUsually in two different ways. The first one will be buried around the foundation wall on the external side of the foundation.
Where do you discharge a French drain?
0:0313:58Best Discharge for French Drain, Pop Up or Cut the Curb - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you put a curb hole. In then you've got really good gravity discharge in other words a pop-upMoreSo if you put a curb hole. In then you've got really good gravity discharge in other words a pop-up or catch basin is turning that line upwards from three to four maybe even five inches.
How far away from a house should a French drain be?
How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio, basement and deck before installing the french drain system.
Do french drains need an outlet?
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn't require an inlet on just one end either. You can construct the drain to accept water along its length, and disperse it underground.
Can I use landscape fabric for French drain?
The Bottom Line The best type of fabric for a drainage project such as a drain field or french drain is non-woven geotextile landscape fabric.
What materials are needed for a French drain?
What You'll Need to Install a DIY French DrainTrencher. Trust us – this isn't something that you want to try with just a shovel. ... Corrugated pipe (with holes or perforations)Gravel.Landscape fabric.A catch basin or inlet grate.Fittings.
Does a French drain need to be sloped?
You'll want to avoid the most common mistakes when installing French drain systems. For example, you always want to make sure the drain system is installed on a slope. This way, gravity will carry water out of the French drain. Other homeowners make the mistake of installing a completely flat French drain.
How do I drain water away from my house?
How To Divert Water From The HomeClean Your Gutters. This task is both simple and free. ... Extend Your Downspouts. ... Create A Rain Garden. ... Install A Rain Barrel. ... Seal The Driveway. ... Install A French Drain. ... Improve The Grading. ... Install A Sump Pump.
Which way do the holes go on a French drain?
0:011:23FRENCH DRAIN, HOLES POINT DOWN - Here's Why - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWater will flood up and into those holes pretty quick versus. Coming you know all the way up to theMoreWater will flood up and into those holes pretty quick versus. Coming you know all the way up to the top.
Community Q&A
Why are the holes of the pipe facing down? Wouldn't you want the water to filter into the pipe from the top holes and drain out from the bottom?
Tips
You may want to spray the installed drain area with water to get it to settle or compact a bit.
Warnings
Never use a tamping tool or powered compacting equipment, as it will crush the pipe, causing failure.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity.
How to make a French drain work?from wikihow.com
Find a downhill slope. In order to work well, your French drain needs to be constructed on a slight downhill grade. This allows water to drain away from the problem area through the force of gravity.
What are French drains and drywells?from kglandscape.com
A French drain is a trench dug in the ground into which a perforated tube is placed, and which is then filled with gravel or lose rocks. The purpose is to take water from wet areas and disperse it into dry areas. The loose gravel and perforated tubing help facilitate that water movement. Swampy areas in a yard occur because there is too much water there, so moving the water away and spreading it out corrects that problem. You can read about how to build them correctly below.
How deep should a trench be for spray paint?from hgtv.com
Referring to spray paint marks, use shovel to dig a 6" wide trench with a depth no greater than that of the nearest foundation (Image 1). Tip: Proper trenches run parallel to buildings and horizontally across slopes. Once trench is dug, add a 3" layer of gravel along bottom (Image 2).
How to prevent debris from entering drain pipe?from wikihow.com
Then unpin the excess landscaping fabric and fold it over the layer of gravel. This will prevent any debris from entering the drain, while still allowing any water to filter through. ...
How to make a trench with a sock?from kglandscape.com
Then make a sock with landscape fabric and fill it with gravel. Just drop the sock in the hole and you’re good. When you’re finished digging, line the inside of the trench with landscape fabric that allows water to pass through.
What to line a trench with?from wikihow.com
Line the trench with landscape fabric. Once you have finished digging the trench, you will need to line it with the water-permeable landscape fabric.
How to hide the end of a drainage ditch?from hgtv.com
Hide the end of a drainage ditch with attractive pebbles.
What is a French drain?from wikihow.com
The French drain is a simple, yet versatile construction which can be used to drain standing water from problem areas in your yard or basement. The process is fairly simple; it just requires a little preparation and planning, the right tools and materials, and a little DIY know-how. Steps.
Where should a French drain run off?from wikihow.com
Ideally the French drain should runoff in a relatively unused section of land, away from any buildings, into sandy soil which allows water to pass through easily.
What are French drains and drywells?from kglandscape.com
A French drain is a trench dug in the ground into which a perforated tube is placed, and which is then filled with gravel or lose rocks. The purpose is to take water from wet areas and disperse it into dry areas. The loose gravel and perforated tubing help facilitate that water movement. Swampy areas in a yard occur because there is too much water there, so moving the water away and spreading it out corrects that problem. You can read about how to build them correctly below.
How to prevent debris from entering drain pipe?from wikihow.com
Then unpin the excess landscaping fabric and fold it over the layer of gravel. This will prevent any debris from entering the drain, while still allowing any water to filter through. ...
What to do if your basement is wet?from doityourself.com
Sod. If you have a wet soggy area on your property or perhaps your basement is subject to periodic flooding, a French drain may be the solution to your problem. These systems have been used for over a hundred years to move unwanted water, and it’s a simple idea that still works well.
How to measure drain grade?from doityourself.com
You can easily measure the grade your drain has using two wooden stakes, some string, a string level, and a tape measure. First, drive one stake in at the top end of your drain and fasten the string to it. Then, go to the far end and loosely tie the other end there .
What is drywell in a trench?from kglandscape.com
A drywell is a hole dug deep in the ground using a post hole digger or auger, which is then filled with gravel. This a vertical version of a French drain. The gravel in the vertical hole allows the water to penetrate deep into the ground and spread out.
What is a French Drain?from thisoldhouse.com
Although they sound quite European, French drains are in fact named for a New Englander, Henry French.
Where is the French drain on a house?from thisoldhouse.com
Every new house has some version of a French drain at the bottom of the foundation. Where the lot has enough slope and size for a drain to run downhill from the foundation to daylight, most builders prefer to install the drainage outside the footings. In many cases, older homes with foundation water issues lack a French drain at the footing level.
How do curtain drains work?from mtdrain.com
Curtain drains are the same as french drains, except they work underground. Instead of laying the pipe and gravel in a trench along the surface, workers dig a few feet below ground level.
What is a curtain drain?from civilweb-spreadsheets.com
A curtain drain is a linear drainage element typically used to intercept groundwater flows on steep slopes. Curtain drains are often used where groundwater flows would cause slope instability or where groundwater flows would emerge on the side of the slope causing further problems.
Why do we need perforated pipes?from mtdrain.com
Sometimes, a perforated pipe is installed for extra efficiency and water control. The tube prevents water from seeping down into the ground. The use of piping keeps even more water out of your yard and pulls extra away from your foundation. Most often, you’ll either find a curtain drain beginning in front of a house and pointing away from ...
How deep should a curtain drain be?from mtdrain.com
Curtain drains need a hole that begins around two feet below ground level. This requirement means that your original hole must be three to three and a half feet deep. The width will be approximately one and a half feet. Fill the hole with gravel that spans one and a half feet in all directions.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a pumped basement drain system?from thisoldhouse.com
One disadvantage of a pumped system is that it relies on electricity. If the power goes off, the basement can flood. Systems with battery backups are available.
What is a French Drain?from thisoldhouse.com
Although they sound quite European, French drains are in fact named for a New Englander, Henry French.
Where is the French drain on a house?from thisoldhouse.com
Every new house has some version of a French drain at the bottom of the foundation. Where the lot has enough slope and size for a drain to run downhill from the foundation to daylight, most builders prefer to install the drainage outside the footings. In many cases, older homes with foundation water issues lack a French drain at the footing level.
How to make a trench for a grave?from wikihow.com
Dig a trench that’s 5-6 inches wide with a 1-2° slope, then line the trench with water-permeable fabric and add a thin layer of gravel over the fabric to keep it in place. Place fabric-wrapped perforated pipe that’s 4 to 6 inches in diameter into the trench, then cover it grave and more fabric.
What is the difference between PVC and flexible drain pipe?from bobvila.com
PVC lasts longer, and if you encounter a clog, it can be cleaned with pressure or a plumber’s snake. Flexible pipe , on the other hand, is less expensive and easier to work with. Advertisement.
Why is a drain pipe too wide?from wikihow.com
Pipe that is too wide can take up too much space in the trench and allow debris to get into the drain.
How deep should a drain be?from wikihow.com
Dig a shallow trench to redirect surface water. The trench should be 2 feet (0.61 m) deep and 1 to 1.5 feet (0.30 to 0.46 m) across. This will ensure the drain can catch any water on the surface of your property near your home and channel it away to a safe draining spot.
How to dig a trench faster?from wikihow.com
Rent a trench digging tool for a faster dig. Look into renting a trench digger at your local hardware store or buy one, especially if you plan to do deep digging in your yard in the future. A trench digger is usually a must if you are digging a deep trench around the perimeter of your home, as it will make the process much faster and easier.
WHAT IS A FRENCH DRAIN?
It sounds elegant but in reality, it’s nothing more sophisticated than a gravel-lined ditch with an embedded pipe that carries water away from the home.
DIGGING A TRENCH FOR A FRENCH DRAIN
Whether installed in the yard or the basement, a French drain works on the same principle. First, a trench is dug with a slope in the direction you want the water to go; a slope of one inch for every eight feet in length is generally recommended.
FILLING AND PIPING A FRENCH DRAIN
After digging your trench, fill it with a few inches of crushed stone. Cover the stone with water-permeable landscaping fabric to discourage weed growth. Next, lay piping into the trench. Choose one of two types, either rigid PVC with predrilled holes or flexible drain pipe cut with slits.
Further Notes on French Drains
Instead of wrapping pipe with landscaping fabric, you can buy a flexible perforated pipe that comes encased in water-permeable fabric.
1. Cheap Drainage Solution
Watch this YouTube video to learn how to build a French drain that will be a cheap drainage solution for your landscape. Landscapes often have a low-lying spot where water collects and renders that spot almost useless.
2. Drainage For Flat Lawns
Flat lawns are pretty to look at but often hard to use. Water will not drain from a flat lawn quickly so it will remain wet and soggy for much of the time. Soggy, wet soil is difficult to build on, grow grass or other plants in, and unpleasant to walk on.
3. DIY Dry Well
Creating a dry well at the end of a DIY French drain is the ideal drainage solution for small yards with poor drainage. This will allow the rainwater to drain away from the yard and provide a place for it to be collected so it won’t drain into your neighbor’s yard. A dry well is placed underground at the end of the DIY French drain.
4. Easy DIY French Drain
All the effort, time, and money you put into landscaping around your home can be lost if the soil does not drain well.
5. Sloping French Drain
The most important part of building a DIY French drain is the slope. The drain must be created at just the right slope to channel water away from the soggy landscape area. These free plans will show you how to dig the drainage ditch at the right slope so excess rainwater will be swiftly channeled away from the landscape.
6. Slotted Pipes
Good drainage in the landscape is essential for keeping your home dry and free of mold and mildew.
7. Flower Bed French Drain
Transform the flood prone area of your landscape into an attractive flower bed with this DIY project. A flooding problem can be turned into a thing of beauty when you learn how to build a French drain like this one.
