Oklahoma Drainage — Installing French Drain, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps Sprinkler Repair and Sod since 1993

French Drain Installation

French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

A French Drain

is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drainpipe in the bottom of a trench.  The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.   This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged.

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.

The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain Every time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Drainage System Installation in Norman

 

surface Drain installation

Surface Drain installation

The picture above is a Surface Drain.

Large Water Volume

French Drain is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Downspouts connected to it.
The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part isn’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the limestone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is Ok.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the drain.
DONT COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.

DECORATIVE STONE CAN BE USED TO COVER A FRENCH DRAIN AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND LAST A LIFETIME.

French Drains Can Look Great!  
 

4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
4 Inch Drainpipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.

 

Comments
  1. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  2. […] Surface Drains on the side of the house,  6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters in the back yard and 3 Curb Fittings in the front.    First we installed 4 inch French Drain in […]

  3. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  4. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  5. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  6. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  7. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  8. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

  9. […] to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area […]

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