Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – 405 203 9419

French Drain Mistakes

French Drain mistakes are made by Homeowners and Contractors.  We will focus on mistakes made by Homeowners.

 

Oklahoma Drainage installs French Drains, Channel Drains, Surface Drains and Sump Pumps.  We also provide top quality Sprinkler Repair for all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

 

French Drain Mistakes are very common and unfortunate.   Mistakes are caused by many different reasons.  One or several mistakes can cause a New French Drain to perform poorly, or not at all.  Time and money are wasted.  People with Water Damage need to have their drainage system work correctly and last a long time.

People who have need for French Drain Installation are highly motivated.  Unwanted water in your AC Floor Ducts for example, motivates folks to do something quickly.

Cracking Driveways

Cracking Driveways and Foundations from Water Damage is also an “ATTENTION GETTER.”

In the picture below, look at the water stains on the Driveway.  A correctly installed 6 Inch French Drain has solved the Standing Water Problem.  The driveway will stay dry and last.

French Drain Versatility is a wonderful thing.   Correct French Drain Installation solves a wide variety of water drainage problems.

Still Mistakes Are Made.

To Start, The Biggest French Drain Mistake is a Unqualified Drainage Diagnosis.   This is taking bad advice from someone who really doesn’t know.   Bad advice leads to a Drainage System that performs poorly or won’t work at all. This Obviously, occurs all the time in today’s world, whether It be French Drain Diagnosis or Auto Repair, or any other contract work you might want done.

Typical Mistakes

Additional mistakes that relate to Unqualified Drainage Diagnosis are:

1.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor that can’t provide good current References.

2.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor that has been in business less than 5 years.

3.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor that doesn’t specialize in French Drain Installation.

4.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor Who needs money up front.

In Review, If you have a French Drain Contractor who needs money up front to begin work, or is also good at landscaping or pushing a lawn mower, then you should RUN!  You need References! You need to know how long they have been in business.

Drainage System VS Flood Prevention System

The Second Most Common French Drain Mistake Is NOT DECIDING if a French Drain should be a part of a “Drainage System,” or a “Flood Prevention System.  You need to understand the difference between the two and choose one.  A French Drain Expert can help you make that decision.   A French Drain can be a part of A Drainage System or a part of a Flood Prevention System.

A Drainage System drains water away from a Water Problem Area over time.

A Flood Prevention System prevents water from ever getting into the Problem Drainage Area in the first place.

Flood Prevention Systems Intercept Surface Water and Sub-Surface water at the same time.  The pipes are larger and more robust than the pipes in a Drainage System.  Flood Prevention Systems are more expensive and harder to install as well.

The Third mistake that is made with a French Drain being installed is lack of a Trench Liner or Pipe Filter being used.  The Trench Liner maintains the integrity of the Drainage Trench and keeps the Gravel or Crushed Stone that is used clean.

The Pipe Filter keeps Debris out of the French Drain Pipe.

Both of these things ensure longevity and functionality of a French Drain.  I have Installed French Drains all the way back to 1993 that still work great!

The 4th mistake with a French Drain Installation is ,” Not Setting The Fall of the French Drain.”  “Setting The Fall,” is a process that makes sure that water flows through the French Drain Trench at a Constant Speed.  French Drains always cross ground that is irregular.  They cross humps and low areas.  This process is done by French Drain Professionals or Individuals who are accomplished and understand the two ways that “Fall may be set.”

Bad Fall

“Bad Fall,” For a French Drain means that water will stand in several low areas of the French Drain underground.    Once the French Drain has finished draining, it should be empty.   You want all the water to drain out of the French Drain Pipe.  By looking at the French Drain on the surface, It will look fine.    You won’t be able to tell if some of the Drainage Water Stayed inside the French Drain.  Everything will look OK, but it won’t be.  If any type of tree is nearby, the tree roots will seek out the water that is left in a french drain.   Tree roots attack the French Drainpipe causing damage.  Soon  French Drain Performance will drop off.  In may quit working completely over time.

TREE ROOTS WON’T ATTACK A FRENCH DRAINPIPE THAT IS EMPTY!

Oklahoma Drainage provides top quality Sprinkler Repair Service.  If you live in Oklahoma City and need a Sprinkler Head moved, we can help.  You might have a Sprinkler Pipe leak that needs attention.  A Sprinkler Valve might we wore out as well.  You might just want a Sprinkler System Checkup for Spring.  For these problems and many others, Oklahoma Drainage can help.

We service Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

Emergency Sprinkler Repair

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

IF YOU NEED HELP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR ON A WEEKEND WITH YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM, GIVE US A CALL.

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR.  405 203 9419

IT MAY TAKE A FEW HOURS FOR US TO GET THERE BUT WE WILL COME TO HELP.

 

One Common problem is that they continue to run and won’t shut off.  In most cases this is a problem with a sprinkler valve that has “Stuck” in the on position.

This can be temporarily solved by shutting of the Emergency Shutoff Valve.  The problem is that some sprinkler systems don’t have one to turn off or if they do the homeowner doesn’t know where it is.

It may be on the back-flow valve which may be located on the side of the house under a big plastic fake rock.

Many sprinkler systems in Oklahoma have them. (50 % ?)  Under the plastic rock is a back-flow valve with two shut off handles.  Usually, they have blue or green or tan handles.  Turn one of the handles and it should shut off the water to your sprinkler system.

Other times the Emergency Shutoff Valve is in a box in the ground out by the curb near your water meter.  The valve box will have a green lid.  Sometimes they are difficult to open.  Many times, I had to pry them open with a flat head screwdriver.

 

Inside the valve box is a plastic handle that can turn off the water to the sprinkler system.  It can be blue or red or grey in color.

Many times, the valve box will be full of dirt, and you can’t turn or even see the handle until some of the dirt has been dug out by hand.

 

Water might be shooting up in the air somewhere on your property.  This can be caused by a broken sprinkler pipe or sprinkler valve.

SHUT OFF THE SPRINKLER WATER IF YOU CAN AND GIVE US A CALL.

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR. SERVICING ALL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA.

405 203 9419

Servicing Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and all of Central and Western Oklahoma