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.
What is a French drain and how does it work?
What Is A French Drain System, And How Does It Function? Simply put, a French drain helps collect and redirect water. Its design consists of a wide perforated pipe laid on the ground and covered with porous sand, gravel, or rock materials. To make such a drain efficiently direct water away, it needs to be angled downwards away from the area ...
How do you make French drains?
- Check for underground utility lines and pipes before digging.
- The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide.
- French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. ...
How do you install French drains?
Steps for Installing a French Drain
- In the area where water is to be collected, the sides and bottom of the trench are lined with filter fabric to keep dirt from washing in and clogging the ...
- Perforated pipe is laid in the bottom of the trench atop this fabric.
- Beyond the water collection area, non-perforated pipe is used to transport the water away.
Should there be water in my French drain?
There are many factors to consider before installing a French drain. Slope is essential, as a downhill course must be downhill enough to keep water running along to its intended destination. Generally, a French drain should drop at least one percent in depth for every 100 feet of length.
Where does the water go at the end of a French drain?
Water passes through the gravel or stone and through the holes in the perforated pipe. Landscaping fabric wrapped around the pipe allows water to pass through while preventing weeds, dirt and other debris from clogging the holes. The pipe carries the water to a drainage area in the yard or the municipal sewer system.
How does a French drain work outside?
A French Drain is a pipe that collects and directs water. A wide, perforated pipe placed in the ground collects excess water and drains it away from the affected area. The pipe is covered with gravel or rock so that it's not visible, and it's angled downward to make sure drainage is smooth.
What does a French drain connect to?
An outdoor French drain is a trench you cover in rocks. It's connected to pipes to guide water away from your home. The first part of French drains is the elevated or higher end, referred to as a drain field. The drain field is where the groundwater or excess surface water enters the drainpipes.
Why do French drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
How long do French drains last?
approximately 30 to 40 yearsGenerally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.
Does a French drain need an exit?
To operate properly, the drain must have adequate slope and a place to open onto the ground, into a drain pipe or somewhere else where water can exit.
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.
How deep should French drain be?
About 8 inches to 2 feet deepFrench 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.
Does a French drain need a catch basin?
Does a French Drain Need a Catch Basin? Not all French drains require catch basins or another surface drain. If you live in a region with moderate rainfall, an area where storm systems are uncommon, or your yard doesn't experience heavy surface flooding, you can install a standalone French drain.
How far should a French drain be from the house?
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.
How much does it cost to unclog a French drain?
French Drain Repair Cost Homeowners who need to have their French drain cleared through hydrojetting services should plan to pay a plumber between $150 and $200 per hour to clear the clog.
Do you cap the end of a French drain?
Cap the end at beginning of the system. Level rock 4 inches from the top of the trench. Note: If you just dump rock on top of the pipe, it will shift to one side of the trench. Make sure to keep it in the middle of the trench.
Can French drain end in yard?
With a large enough building lot, it's often possible to direct french drain water onto the surface of the lawn. In effect, this only moves the wet area to a different part of your property, but in the right situations, this solution can work well.
Where does the drain in my yard go?
How a Yard Drain Works. The structure of a yard drain is very simple: A small underground catch basin covered by a metal or plastic grate catches runoff water, and one or more branch drain pipes carry this collected water from the basin to some termination point—often near a street or into a municipal storm drain.
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.
When You Need a French Drain?
If you’re having any major flooding problem on your property, then a French drain may be the solution for you. Not only is it an effective draining solution, but it won’t detract from the overall appearance of your home and lawn. Consider a French drain if you’re dealing with one of the following situations:
How to keep water level down on property?
Directing surface water away from your property is a great way to keep the water level down. A trench drain system , such as a French drain is one of the best ways to do it. The entire design starts with a sloping trench that is at least half a foot wide. Next, the soil needs to be packed down before adding anything on top. From there, you can add a base layer of gravel, perforated piping ( weeping tile) to drain the water, and a layer of landscaping cloth on top.
What is a French drain?
A French drain is a trench, lined with gravel or small rocks, which is designed to direct water away from an area through a perforated pipe. A French drain can help property owners to prevent water from pooling within their yards. It’s a drainage solution that, despite everything implied by the name, has nothing to do with France.
What happens when it rains on a French drain?
During heavy rain, water from the ground will rise and enter the pipe of your French drain. Since the trench is sloped downward, the groundwater will naturally flow to the end of the drain until it’s safely off your property. When planning your French drain, be sure to double-check that the pipe will lead the water to a sewer or some other kind of appropriate drainage destination.
Why add a French drain to your home?
By adding a French drain to your home, you can direct excess water off your property and away from your patio. Keeping your patio and yard dry will also prevent mosquitos and other pests from breeding right by your home.
What to put on top of a French drain?
Once the trench is constructed, you have the choice to put sod, gravel, or other rocks on top until the entire trench is level with the rest of the yard. One important thing to note about the functionality of a French drain is that the holes in the piping need to be on the bottom. The holes will allow water that rises from the ground, to drain faster.
Can a French drain be installed in a basement?
While foundation damage may not be the easiest to spot, a French drain can do wonders for preventing it in the first place. It can end up saving you hundreds of dollars in damages that would happen as a result of water harming your home’s foundation and getting into your basement. Install one so that you can prevent floodwater from ever reaching your home.
Move standing water away from your yard by installing a French drain system
Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management.
French Drain Systems
The French drain was detailed in an 1859 book written by Henry French, a judge and farmer who lived in Concord, Massachusetts. He helped to popularize the idea specifically to drain excess water away from crop fields in order to improve the crop yield and prevent flooding.
How French Drains Work
The basic principle of a French drain is to provide a path of least resistance for water to follow instead of building up and flooding the soil. This is achieved with a hollow, perforated drainage pipe that can collect and carry the water from the yard to a designated drainage location, like a municipal wastewater drain or a rain bucket.
When to Use French Drain Systems
Before deciding to start trenching the yard, it's important to understand when a French drain system is beneficial and how it can help to improve common problems caused by heavy rain, excess groundwater, and melting ice or snow.
Cost of Installing a French Drain
Another factor to keep in mind before installing a French drain is the cost of materials, as well as any costs associated with hiring a professional to complete this work. While this task can be handled by an experienced DIYer, many people may prefer to have the system professionally installed to ensure that it will work effectively.
What Is A French Drain?
A French Drain is a pipe that collects and directs water. A wide, perforated pipe placed in the ground collects excess water and drains it away from the affected area. The pipe is covered with gravel or rock so that it’s not visible, and it’s angled downward to make sure drainage is smooth.
Can I Install A French Drain Myself?
We are huge fans of DIY, but we recommend you call a professional to install a French Drain. Here’s 4 reasons why it is important to find a professional you can trust:
Why do you have to calculate the dispersal of water?
You have to calculate the dispersal carefully because you want to drain water away from your house or yard quickly but also keep the water level in the pipe itself low. Many people lay the perforation holes in the wrong place. You want them facing downwards at all times to keep that water level low.
Why is my French drain angled downward?
The pipe is covered with gravel or rock so that it’s not visible, and it’s angled downward to make sure drainage is smooth. Open ditches and stormwater drains manage rain-flow and excess water near roads, but you don’t want an open ditch near your building or house. A French Drain system is less open, but still allows water to drain ...
What is a collector and interceptor drain?
Collector and Interceptor drains direct groundwater and surface run-off towards the same drain. It quickly handles surface water to prevent flooding or ground upheaval, but should have a filter because of the shifting earth and debris. Otherwise, you have problems with the pipe further down the line.
Can you nick a gas line while burying a French drain?
Nicking a gas line or sewage pipe while you’re burying a French Drain can cost you a chunk of change to fix and ruin the goodwill of your neighbors.
Do all French drains look the same?
Not all French Drains look the same. Depending on your needs, you have a few options. Traditional French Drains, sometimes called Curtain Drains, follow the directions above. They use gravel and perforated pipe to collect water and it’s covered in earth and vegetation. They’re the least obstructive.
What is a French drain?
At its basic level, a French drain system is a ditch lined with gravel and inset with a perforated pipe that drains water from one place to another. Usually, it diverts water to someplace like a drainage ditch, storm drain, or sewage system. French drains are commonly installed in basements to prevent flooding or in yards to prevent standing water.
How much does a French drain cost?
The cost of a French drain is between $30 and $100 per linear foot on average for labor and materials. To calculate linear feet for a basement installation, simply add up the full length of the perimeter. A 36’ by 24’ foot basement would be 120 linear feet — 36 +24 +36 +24.
Why are French drains called perimeter drains?
French drains are sometimes called perimeter drains because they often run the length and width of the edges of the basement, where water seeps in.
When installing a French drain outside, do you call 811?
When you’re installing a French drain outdoors, don’t forget to call 811 before you dig. You’ll want utility markers that make sure you don’t cut straight across a gas line or other utility when your trench is being dug.
Does a sump pump need maintenance?
The sump pump connected to a basement French drain installation requires its own maintenance. Follow these tips to keep a sump pump in good operating order.
Do French drains cost more?
The harder it is to access the area and install the drain, the more you’ll pay. For instance, an outdoor French drain that merely requires digging will be on the lower end of the price range. A basement French drain that requires cutting into concrete and establishing a pipeline to the outdoors will cost more.
Can a French drain damage a foundation?
Indeed, a French drain that gets rid of too much water can also damage your foundation, so you need an expert to get the balance right.
Do French Drains Really Work?
French drains may look simple but they are indeed very effective. Unlike the usual surface drains which only drain water in one dedicated area, French drains collect water across the entire length of the drain, minimizing the likelihood of water flooding in the area.
How do I fill a trench for a drain pipe?
After laying the drainpipe in the trench, fill the trench with the remaining gravel but remember to keep it below the ground level. Wrap the gravel and drainpipe using the extra drainage fabric (remember I said at least 10 inches on each side).
What is used to cover drainage wrap?
Top soil, grass or decorating gravel is then used to cover the drainage wrap. French drains should however not be confused with trench drains.
What is a French drain made of?
Modern French drains are made of PVC or corrugated flexible pipes. PVC pipes are used when the trenches are straight but if the trench is curved then corrugated pipes are flexible enough and hence the natural choice.
What is drainage fabric?
A drainage fabric allows water to pass through it while at the same time keeping soil and other debris at bay. Failure to use a drainage fabric will have soil (especially if you have clay) penetrating through the gravel and clogging it, affecting the efficiency of the drainage system.
Where is a French drain installed?
They are installed in the yard or around the perimeter of the house.
How much slope should a French drain be?
The way to do that is to ensure that the drain is gradually sloping from the area you need to remove water to where you intend to drain it. As a standard, French drains should slope downwards by 1 inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
What Is a French Drain System?
An outdoor French drain is a trench you cover in rocks. It's connected to pipes to guide water away from your home. The first part of French drains is the elevated or higher end, referred to as a drain field. The drain field is where the groundwater or excess surface water enters the drainpipes. Then, there's the second part: the French drain exit point, which is the lowest point where the water leaves the drain.
How Do French Drains Work?
It provides this accessible path and creates a sunken channel, encouraging water to drain out of the soil surrounding and flow along a smooth course.
Why use a French drain?
Whether you opt to send the water to a sump pump, your septic tank or as part of a French drain system combo, a French drain helps keep your basement dry to prevent potential foundation water damage.
How much does it cost to install a sump pump in a basement?
When a contractor handles the installation process, it's labor-intensive, requiring the digging of a large moat around the foundation of your building. You're looking at paying around $50 to $60 per linear foot.
What is the drain field?
The drain field is where the groundwater or excess surface water enters the drainpipes. Then, there's the second part: the French drain exit point, which is the lowest point where the water leaves the drain. A French drainpipe offers you the solution for if your basement is admitting water through the foundation.
What to do if your basement is damp?
If you're dealing with a permanently damp area in your lawn or end up with water in your basement after a heavy rain, there's an easy solution — a French drain outside or inside your home. It's essential you have good drainage to ensure your house remains dry and mold-free.
Why does my French drain clog?
There could be soil erosion causing muddy water to enter the French drain, which can cause it to clog. While you need to bury the drain deep enough, the groundwater passing through it can contain sediment that can build up. And, while at first the amount of this sediment won't be too much, over time it can clog the drain.
Is It Possible to Install a Sump and French Drains in an Existing Basement?
The old saying goes that anything is possible, and the impossible costs more. Retrofitting an existing basement is a perfect example of the truth in this case. Several scenarios and factors affect the overall cost of installing french drains and a sump pit in an existing basement. Before you begin a project to add French drains and a sump pit in your basement, you should consider these factors carefully.
What Problems Are Associated with French Drains?
While French drains and sump pits afford homes with basements a high level of protection, these systems have downsides that must be recognized. Many homeowners put their French drains and sump system out of mind until a problem occurs. Unfortunately, the sump system’s problems are often first recognized when water is in the basement.
What Does it Cost to Install a Sump System?
The cost of installing a French drain and sump system is complicated. Many factors have to be considered. The biggest factor is the timing of the installation. Other factors include the basement situation, the size of the installation, and local codes that may affect the installation.
When Is a French Drain Necessary?
A French drain is used to channel groundwater and rainwater away from the foundation of your house, preventing expensive leaks and damage. Here are a few ways you can recognize that you need a French drain:
Why install a French drain?
Installing a French drain can create better drainage in your yard by keeping water away from your house and foundation. It can also help to prevent standing water, drain puddles that damage your grass and plants, and stop leaks from infiltrating your basement or washroom.
What is a French drain called?
Most modern homes use a slightly variant form of the French drain called a curtain drain. This version consists of a perforated pipe that sits inside the gravel-filled trench. The curtain drain can be covered with soil, grass, landscaping, etc. Installed correctly, it is a subtle form of drainage that will blend right into your yard.
What is standing water in your yard?
You have a lot of standing water in your yard on a regular basis. Your yard sits lower than your neighbors’ yards. You live in a rainy climate or a swampy area. You live close to a water source such as a lake, river, pond, or ocean.
What is the name of the book that French authored?
French authored a book entitled Farm Drainage, and he went on to pioneer many practices that are still used today in agriculture and civil engineering to provide effective drainage. A true French drain is very simple.
Do you need to dig up a French drain?
Depending on the layout of your yard, installing a French drain may require you to dig up your landscaping, and it might even require the removal of parts of your sidewalk, driveway, backyard deck, patio, etc. Naturally, this can get expensive. And if you live in a cold climate, you will likely need to bury the drain deep into the ground, ...
Can you put a container at the end of a French drain?
You can also put a container at the end of the pipe to catch the water and recycle it to water your plants. Installing a French drain has a wealth of advantages. When properly installed, it can go a long way toward improving the drainage in your yard and preventing costly and disruptive damage to your home’s foundation.