Some of the best gravels for your French drain
- Pea Gravel: lower level. Pea gravels are good for French drainage systems as the size is perfect for the project. ...
- Pink Quartz: upper level. Some homeowners prefer pink quartz because it looks great. ...
- Northern Granite River Rock: upper level. ...
- White Dolomite: upper level. ...
- Crushed Stone #411: lower or upper level. ...
How much rock do I need for French drain?
You would need around 0.72 cubic feet of gravel per foot length of French drain for a typical French drain width of 10 inches and a depth of 12 inches if you're using a 4" drain pipe. On the other hand, you would need around 0.6 cubic feet of gravel if you're using a 6" drain pipe. Kenneth Alambra Drain pipes needed Total drain pipe length ft
Are limestone rocks good for French drains?
In the State of Michigan we have natural stone and a very hard limestone readily available as a good coarse rock for French Drain construction. A great test for a French drain stone is to begin with a 5 gallon bucket. You can purchase one at a home improvement store.
What is the best type of rock for drainage?
What Size Rock is Best for Drainage?
- Use large to medium-sized rock.
- Landscape gravel, crushed stone #3, and 3/4 inch gravel are great for drainage.
- Choose an angular rock that avoids compaction.
- Do not use sand, round gravel, or small rocks. These drain poorly and are prone to sliding.
How to build the best French drain?
Part 1 Part 1 of 2: Planning and Preparation
- Look at underground safety. Before building a French drain in a specific area, you must locate all underground cables, pipes or other installations that could make digging dangerous in ...
- Check for any zoning or runoff issues. Some municipalities have rules on whether you can build or even dig on your own property.
- Find a downhill slope. ...
Do you need to put gravel under French drain?
The old way of installing French drains is to do it without the gravel and the fabric. Without the gravel and the fabric, however, the drain can clog up with sand and soil over time.
Do French drains need rocks?
French Drain Gravel The upper 12 inches above the pipe shall be filled with native soil, to avoid having crushed stone over the perforated pipe that could damage the pipe. It is important to place the gravel around the pipe because they will filter any sediment that the geotextile is not able to remove.
What is the cheapest rock for French drain?
Pea gravel is a good choice for french drain lines since it is a good size and affordable on any budget.
Can you make a French drain with just gravel?
2:104:21FRENCH DRAIN, Lots of GRAVEL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAway. Okay time to clean up we're going to go ahead and cover all this up put some soil back on topMoreAway. Okay time to clean up we're going to go ahead and cover all this up put some soil back on top of that separator. And put it together. Remember the key to a French drain is lots of gravel.
What size stone is best for French drain?
1-1/2" roundUse Natural 1-1/2" round rock for best drainage. Washed rock is ideal. Avoid small pea gravel as the spaces in between stone is smaller minimizing flow rates. Avoid Crushed Rock (minus) that compacts and has "fines" that will clog pipe inlets.
Is pea gravel good for French drain?
Do NOT Use Pea Gravel, Pea Pebble, Pea Stone When Building a French Drain. When building a French drain, you want to use a coarse rock that has been screened and washed. The rock that you see in this French Drain is 3/4″ and larger. You end up with large voids that'll move far more water.
What is the best gravel for a French drain?
Hard rocks such as granite or river gravel prove viable options for a French drain because they won't break down over time as much as other rock varieties, such as sandstone and limestone.
How many inches of gravel do I need for a French drain?
Pour and compact about 3 inches of gravel or landscaping stone along the bottom of the trench. This will act as bedding for the drainage piping.
How deep should a French drain be dug?
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.
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.
Should I use landscape fabric in French drain?
Non-woven geotextile fabric is the best choice for drainage applications where water flow through (permeability) is the main concern. Non-woven landscape fabric is commonly used in French-drains, drain-fields, and erosion control.
Is sand or gravel better for drainage?
It's recommended to place down a few layers of crushed rock or sand underneath the gravel in order to stabilize the drainage surface. When it comes to drainage material layer size, typically a two- to three-inch layer of gravel will effectively deter water buildup.
Should I put rocks in my ditch?
Things You'll Need A rock-lined ditch with water flowing in it is aesthetically pleasing. Lining a ditch with rock enhances any ditch. It improves water flow through the ditch, can trap trash and sediment and can reduce erosion.
How much rock do I need for a French drain?
How much gravel do I need per foot of French drain? You would need around 0.72 cubic feet of gravel per foot length of French drain for a typical French drain width of 10 inches and a depth of 12 inches if you're using a 4" drain pipe.
Do rocks help with drainage?
Using rocks, water can be directed towards ditches, for example, that are landscaped as swales and resemble creeks or meadows. Because rocks do not compact or degrade with time, they make excellent components to a yard's drainage system and do not require constant upkeep.
Should I use landscape fabric in French drain?
Non-woven geotextile fabric is the best choice for drainage applications where water flow through (permeability) is the main concern. Non-woven landscape fabric is commonly used in French-drains, drain-fields, and erosion control.
What is the best stone for french drain?
Mexican Beach Pebble – This is product is an ideal choice for french drain gravel. The stones are roughly 1″ to 1 and 1/2″ wide and are already smooth which is ideal for water to run along the surface of the stone. Vigoro All Purpose Decorative Stone – This stone is not quite as wide as the beach pebble but is still a great option ...
What stone is best for filling a French drain?
Vigoro All Purpose Decorative Stone – This stone is not quite as wide as the beach pebble but is still a great option for filling your french drain as it is extremely hard and will not wear quickly. The rigid nature of this stone will also be perfect for filtering soil out of the water which will prevent the drain from getting clogged.
What is the purpose of gravel in a French drain?
In the set up of a french drain, gravel normally fills at least the bottom one third of the trench and a perforated pipe is laid on top of the gravel to allow even faster drainage in case the water is soaking into the ground faster than can be drained by the gravel. In french drains where there is not a pipe being installed, ...
Why is the French drain filled with gravel?
The gravel is one of the most crucial components to the french drain as it allows water that has soaked through the ground to be carried away down the slope of the french drain.
How big should gravel be for French drains?
In french drains where there is not a pipe being installed, make sure to get even bigger gravel pieces. Try to get stones 1 and 1/2″ or bigger if possible. Additionally, it is wise to choose a harder rock for your base gravel so that it doesn’t wear down too quickly. Softer rocks that break down over time will become too small to properly drain ...
What is a French drain?
A french drain is a type of draining system that allows pooling water to escape to a lower point in the yard or the street. The main concept behind the design is a slightly sloped trench ...
How effective is a French drain?
A French Drain can be an extremely effective method for solving a drainage problem in your yard and maintaining the integrity of below grade concrete walls. If you determine that a french drain is right for you, make sure to do your homework in terms of best practices for installation. Additionally, make sure to locate any utility lines ...
What is the best drain line for a French drain?
Pea gravel is a good choice for french drain lines since it is a good size and affordable on any budget.
What is a French drain?
The bottom of the trench needs to have enough room to let water flow – without being packed in too tight! Remember, a french drain system is basically an underground river that lets you drain water into an area of your choosing – as long as you can slope the drain downhill.
What to do if your French drains clog every spring?
If your french drains clog every Spring you likely need to loose the bottom layer of gravel in your drainage system or double check the perforated pipe.
How long does river rock last?
We like to use river pebbles for this layer since it has already been exposed to running water and is difficult to erode – meaning it will last for at least 20 years. Be careful if it feels like the stone you are putting into the bottom layer feels like it can crumble in your hands – it will likely break up in the drain line. River rock on the other hand will be smooth to the touch and unbreakable!
How do French drains work?
French Drains are powered by gravity and work by using a slight 1 or 2 degree downslope. The layers of filler rock and sand help prevent blockages and protect the piping. We recommend putting a layer of sod and larger pieces of rock around the entrance and exit for extra protection.
Why is my gravel drain line clogged?
If your fill rocks and pebbles are too big water will drain too quickly from the line and there won’t be enough surface area for the top layer of sand to sit on top. If the gravel you choose is too small then it may compact in the drain lines and cause a clog.
What kind of rock should I use for a French drain?
I prefer a ½” – 3/4” coarse washed rock that is screened. Pea stone I have found works but doesn’t move the volume of water. The more rock and larger the trench the more water the French drain can handle and the longer it will work.
How to make a French drain with filter fabric?
For best results you need to use these steps. Dig a 14” wide trench and line the trench with the 8 oz. commercial filter fabric. Then put 3 inches of rock at the bottom of the trench. Place the 4” perforated corrugated pipe (without a sock on the pipe) on top of the rock. Next fill in around the pipe with stone on all sides and wrap the filter fabric on top. Now it is fully contained to not allow sediment or solids to contaminate the French drain compromising its performance.
Where does river rock come from?
Just as the name suggests, the gravel used in river rock comes from the beds of rivers and streams. These stones are round and semi-polished from years of running water. They have a smooth texture, which means they tend not to stay put once you lay them down. However, they’re very attractive stones that are a great choice as a top layer. Just make sure to edge the river rock with another type of stone to keep it all in place.
Which is better, river rock or pea gravel?
River rock gravel tends to be larger than pea gravel, so it performs better as a mid-layer, though it’s too small to be used as a bottom layer.
What is crushed stone #411?
Crushed stone #411 is another very popular crushed stone option that’s quite similar to crushed stone #57. In fact, it’s made up of crushed stone #57 mixed with coarse rock dust and small stones known as fines. The smaller stones and dust fill in the cracks left by the larger stones, causing them to all compact together and form a tight surface. It’s great as a top layer of driveways and other areas that require drainage, though the inclusion of smaller stones and rock dust means it’s not an ideal choice for other layers. Luckily, it does tend to be a cheaper option for the top layer than some of the more decorative river rocks and pea gravel.
What is base gravel 3?
Base gravel #3 is a perfect gravel for filling your base level. The stones in base gravel #3 can be two inches across and even a bit larger, making it perfect for that bottom layer where drainage is of the utmost importance. The smallest rocks in this gravel will be about an inch wide, so there’s nothing to compact and get clogged up, ensuring that you’ll have great drainage.
What is a clean stone?
Washed clean stone is essentially crushed stone that has been washed to get rid of any small chips and rock dust. This prevents it from compacting and ensures that it will always have great drainage. Because of this, it’s an ideal choice for bottom and mid-layers, though it does tend to be a bit pricier than non-washed crushed stone gravels.
What is Jersey shore gravel?
Jersey shore gravel is similar to pea gravel, though not available in as many colors. These stones are rather small, and they’re all shades of tan, white, brown, and gold; essentially, the color of beach sand. Jersey shore gravel features smooth rocks that don’t stay in place well. They’re great for use as a top layer, but don’t perform well as a bottom or mid-layer gravel.
What is pea gravel?
Pea gravel is generally about ⅜-inch in size and is often called pea shingle. It’s a very attractive gravel that comes in a variety of colors, including brown, blue, red, and grey.
Is A French Drain Right For You?
Recommended Products
- If you do decide that a french drain is right for you, there are several options available in terms of product choices. You will need to select the type of gravel to fill the trench with and the type of piping to lay on top of the gravel. Here are some of the top products available. 1. Mexican Beach Pebble – This is product is an ideal choice for f...
Helpful Resources
- Whether you are preparing to install your french drain or just curious about the additional methods or products available, it is important to do your homework. Here are some of the most helpful resources I found when when initially doing research on the subject. 1. Great articles on overall installation process How To Build A French Drain 2. Do it Yourself – French Drain Installation 3. …
Final Thoughts
- A French Drain can be an extremely effective method for solving a drainage problem in your yard and maintaining the integrity of below grade concrete walls. If you determine that a french drain is right for you, make sure to do your homework in terms of best practices for installation. Additionally, make sure to locate any utility lines or wiring that might be beneath the area that yo…