Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – 405 203 9419

Sump Pumps are used when water can’t be drained away by gravity.  You might have water standing in an area and it is up hill in all directions.  A gravity flow French Drain or Surface Drain System will not work so you must pump the water to the Exit Point.  The Same holds true if you have water standing in a basement.  Pumping out the water is the only way.

Most Sump Pumps work automatically.  When the Sump Pump is under water a float rises up on the side of the pump and turns on the pump.   Once the water is pumped away, the float falls back down and turns off the pump.  When water is flowing constantly on to the pump, it turns itself on and off over and over.  This could go on for hours or even days.

Sump Pump Inside Sump Pump Cavity

Two Sizes of Sump Pumps

Pump Size refers to how powerful it is not how physically large it is.  For Home or Small Business use a 1/3 Horse or a 1/2 Horse Works Best.  Larger Pumps such as a 1 Horse Pump must be ordered by a supplier and must be Hard Wired to 220 voltage by an electrician.

A Sump Pump Cavity

looks like a trash can.  When water drains into the sump cavity it raises the float and turns on the pump. Once empty it falls down and turns off the Pump.

The larger the sump cavity the less often the sump turns on and off.   A small sump cavity wears out the sump pump faster because it turns on and off more making it less efficient.

Building a large custom sump cavity.

Larger Volume Sump Cavity

Large volume

custom sump cavities collect a large volume of water before the sump pump turns on.   Once on the Sump pump works for several minutes before turning off.  Once empty the larger sump cavity takes a longer time to refill again.  Which gives the pump a longer time to cool off and rest.

A sump pump in a large cavity will last much longer than one in a small cavity.

Norman Sump Pump Installation

Oklahoma Drainage recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in South Oklahoma City.

The Homeowner had a Sump Pump in their basement that was fed from a French Drain outside the Basement Wall.  The French Drain was 14 feet down along the Stem wall of the house.  The French Drainpipe was cheap and had collapsed.  We brought in a Mini Excavator and dug up the pipe and replaced it with Durable ADS 4 inch perf/soc French Drainpipe.  In the end, we were able to dig up the pipe and replace it.

Next, we installed a new exit for the water by installing a curb fitting.

No more flooding in the customers basement.  A few weeks later our customer was able to lay carpet in the basement with no problems.

Sump Pump Installation is necessary when water from a Drainage System can’t flow properly.  This means it is uphill in every direction from the Drain Intake.

Sump Pump Installation

French Drain Installation, Oklahoma City, Duncan, Blanchard, New Castle, El Reno, Yukon, Mustang

6 Inch Drainpipe for French Drain in Back Yard

Oklahoma Drainage – We install French Drains, Channel Drains, Surface Drains, Sump Pumps and Sod.

If You live in Oklahoma City and water damaging your foundation, we can install a French Drain for you.

With water standing on your driveway, we can install a Channel Drain for you.

If you live in Edmond and have water flooding your basement, we can install a Sump Pump for you.

Moore homeowners who have water washing out your flower bed mulch, we can install a Surface Drain for you.

If you live in Yukon and need grass to grow, we can install Sod too!

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

When Installing a French Drain as part of a Drainage System, there are many things to consider.

What is the primary source of water coming into the problem drainage area.

Are there secondary sources of water entering the area.

What are they and how many.

How fast does water enter the area and how often.

What are the potential exit points for the water,  Where do we want to take the water too.  Is there more than one potential exit point to increase drainage capacity.

Does the customer want a Drainage System or a Flood Prevention System and does he understand the difference.

French Drain along stem wall.

Curb outlet with more than 6 inches of fall

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, with 34 years of experience. 

French Drain Installation under walkway

Completed French Drain under walkway

Just what is a “French Drain?” Many times, people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,” when they mean “Surface Drain” or “Channel Drain.”

A basic French Drain

consists of a Perforated Drainpipe in the bottom of a trench. The French Drain Trench runs through a Problem Drainage Area that needs to be drained.   The French Drainpipe is perforated (Full of Small Holes) and has Neo-Prene Soc around the pipe.  This soc helps prevent debris from clogging the French Drainpipe.

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 lime stone. 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).

Oklahoma Drainage recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in South Oklahoma City.  The Homeowner had a Deep French Drain down along the Stem wall of the house.  The French Drainpipe was cheap and had collapsed.  We brought in a Mini Excavator.

 They had a Sump Pump

in their basement that was fed from a French Drain outside the Basement Wall.  The French Drain was 14 feet down.  We used and Excavator and dug up the pipe and replaced it with Durable ADS 4 inch perf/soc French Drainpipe.  In the end, we were able to dig up the pipe and replace it.

New Trench for French Drain

Next, we installed a new exit for the water by installing a curb fitting.

No more flooding in the customers basement.  A few weeks later our customer was able to lay carpet in the basement with no problems.

French Drain Installed Along Stem Wall

Oklahoma Drainage — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

French Drain Installed in Lawton

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage has been diagnosing and solving Drainage Problems since 1993. As a result, we have gained a tremendous amount of experience.

Water has the ability to get into places around your home where you really don’t want it to be. This is never a good thing!

Some drainage problems are easy to solve.  Typically, water enters the problem drainage area one way from one source.

The really tricky drainage problems occur when water enters the problem drainage area from multiple directions and from multiple sources.  Sometimes a secondary water source can’t be seen or identified until the primary water problem source is eliminated.

Think About

You have to think about all the possible ways water can get into the problem area.  Sometimes it is obvious.  Sometimes its hard to determine all the possible water sources.

French Drain Installed along and under walkway to pool.

A drainage system

is installed with a surface drain as the “intake” with drainage pipe running to an exit point.  Initially the water drains away and everything looks great.  The next day water is back and is all around the surface drain, but below the edge and it hasn’t rained at all, so no additional water ran over the surface of the ground to flood the area.

The primary water source was solved, ( The surface water run off ) but the secondary water source was not.  Which was sub-surface water, (ground water) running into the area.  A surface drain can’t drain “ground water.”  A French Drain should have initially been installed instead of a Surface Drain.   French Drains can drain both Surface Water and Ground Water.

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

Oklahoma Drainage Services all of Central Oklahoma including Norman, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, Purcell and Chickasha.

Now we are expanding our service area to include

: Lawton, Altus, Duncan, Chickasha, Elk City, and all of Western Oklahoma.

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain

 Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and grass. 

Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t have gutters, or does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a heavy rain, or worst of all, is water seeping into your foundation and duct work after a thunderstorm?  These are just a few of the Drainage Problems that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help with.

We can design a Drainage System

 to fit your specific needs.  We install many types of Drains to solve many types of problems.    French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drain, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps are utilized.

Installing Drainage Curb Fitting for a French Drain in South Oklahoma City

FRENCH DRAIN CONNECTED TO GUTTERS

Many different types of Drains can be hooked together by one Drainpipe.  The Drainpipe then running to an Exit Point makes up a Drainage System.  One common type of Drain used in a Drainage System is A “French Drain.”

Many times, a French Drain is installed close to a building foundation or in a low area next to a home or business.  This puts the French Drain in close proximity to Gutter Down Spouts.  Rather than have water come off the roof and out the Down Spout and on to the ground below, many times it is much better to tie a Gutter Down Spout Directly into a French Drain or nearby Drainpipe depending on the Drainage System Design.

Connecting The Down Spouts Directly

into a French Drain is much more efficient and causes suction to occur in the French Drain.  Connection of Gutter Down Spouts to a French Drain makes the Drainage System work better.

Gutter Down Spout Connected to French Drain

French Drainpipe running to curb outlet in Oklahoma City.

French Drains can protect your home and property from water damage.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair install a wide variety of Drains in many different places.  A Drain or Group of Drains with Drainpipe going to an exit point is a “Drainage System.”

Drainage Systems 

can be made up of one drain or a combination of many drains.  Drainage problems can be very complex.   Complex Drainage Problems may require a combination of several different types of drains all inter-connected and working together.  Other times the drainage problem may be simple and straight-forward requiring only one drain or several of the same type of drain connected together.

Complex Drainage System

An example of a complex drainage system would be:  A French Drain in the back yard connected to a Surface Drain near a flower bed connected to several gutter downspouts, which are connected to a Channel Drain going across a driveway, which is connected to additional Surface Drain in the front yard, which runs to a Curb Fitting that lets all the water drain out on to the street.

Simple Drainage System

A simple Drainage System might consist of a Surface Drain that is connected to a second Surface Drain which runs to a Pop-up Emitter which lets water drain over the curb and into the street. An “Exit Point” is the term used for where all the water leaves the Drainage System.

Determining the Exit Point is very critical.  It is one of the first things we do when diagnosing a Drainage Problem. Drainage Systems can: 1.  Keep water away from foundations — A French Drain is best because it can move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water (water moving underground) away from the foundation.  Many times less experienced companies install Surface Drains to keep water away from foundations.  This can be a big mistake.

Surface Drain Problems

A Surface Drain can’t move or drain Sub-Surface Water.   Also, A Surface Drain often can’t move enough water fast enough and easily becomes overwhelmed during a heavy rain.

They also can’t cover or protect a broad enough area. Surface Drains should be designed in a Drainage System to be located in smaller Drainage Areas moving moderate amounts of water.

Surface Drains look better than French Drains.  If ,”appearance” is more important than Drainage Capacity, Go with the Surface Drain.  Just know what you are getting into and what your expectations should be.

One side of a foundation

alone, can be over 100 feet.  A 4 inch or 6-inch French Drain is best when protecting a large area such as a foundation.

2.  Keep water away from small or enclosed areas.  This might be a low area just through a gate on the side of a house, or the low area between a flowerbed and the wall of a house or standing water on or near a sidewalk or driveway.  These types of Drainage Problems are best served with Surface Drains.

A Surface Drain can move water away from a low area that is relatively small.  This can occur in yards, flowerbeds, sidewalks and driveways.  A surface Drain is designed to move Surface Water away from a problem area to a predetermined exit point.

The Drainage Pop-Up Emitter

is connected to the end of a Drainpipe.  It is downhill from a French Drain or a Surface Drain.  It is a small release basin with a green pop-up lid.  When releasing water, it pops up about an inch to release the water from the French Drain or Surface Drain.

When the Storm Water has moved through the Drainage System and out of the Pop-Up Emitter, the green lid closes back to its original closed position.  The emitter is designed to release water out into a yard or down a hill or other desirable Drainage Exit Point where there is no curb.

Drainage System installation and design

is a big part of our business.  We have installed several thousand since 1993.

Does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a hard rain?  Does part of your yard look like a pond after a thunderstorm?  Worst of all, are you experiencing concrete deterioration to your foundation, sidewalk, or driveway. 

We can design a Drainage System to solve your Drainage Problems.  Our Drainage Systems can be simple or complex.  We utilize, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basin Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, and Sump Pumps.  Estimates are free!

What Is a French Drain

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times, people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,”  to apply to many different types of Drains that could be used in a Drainage System.   The term is widely used and many times incorrectly connected to “Surface Drains,” or “Channel Drains.”

A Surface Drain has a grate that sits on top of a basin.  The basin is underground.  A Drainpipe is connected underground to an outlet on the Drain Basin. Stormwater Drains through the grate into the Drain Basin.  Once in the Drain Basin, water travels out of the basin through a Drainpipe.  The Stormwater continues downhill in an underground Drainpipe to an exit point.

A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes.  It is a Drain Basin with a Drain Grate on top and a Drainpipe connected on the side.  The Drain Grate may be round or square.

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.  It is long and narrow with a grate on top.

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.  A Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.   The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.   This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged.

A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used. Usually, the trench is 12 inches wide or more.

Different sizes of French Drains

French Drains come in several sizes.  Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drainpipe.

The dirt that is 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 lime stone.  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.

Grass can grow over a French Drain

DONT COVER THE GRAVEL