Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.
We service and install French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps. Expert Lawn Sprinkler Repair is also Available.
What Is a French Drain?
It is a trench with a perforated pipe placed in the bottom. That sounds simple enough!
Gravel is then placed on top of the pipe. In most cases the trench is filled to ground level.
French Drain
Look at the Picture above.
The perforated pipe has thousands of holes in it. Not just a few. It has a lot.
The Drainage Pipe has a black Neo-preen cloth around it. This is a “Pipe Filter.” Its purpose is to keep debris from clogging the French Drainpipe. As a result, the French Drain will last a long time.
Notice the white cloth in the picture. This is “Trench Liner.” Its purpose is to keep the gravel clean and to maintain the integrity of the trench. Dirt or sand will soak into the sides of the French Drain if no Trench Liner is used. This occurs underground. On the surface everything will look fine, but over time the Drain will stop working if no Trench Liner is used.
Trench Liner and Pip Filter are very important. They ensure that your French Drain will work well and last a long time.
I Installed a French Drain with trench liner and pipe filter in Norman in 1993. It still works!
Trench Liner and Pipe Filter Installed with French Drain
Trench Liner is essential for functionality and longevity!
NDS Grey Channel Drain Running Across Driveway
This is also Not a French Drain, this is a Surface Drain
This Is a French Drain
The French drain along the driveway keeps water from standing on the concrete.
This Is Decorative French Drain being installed
Installing Decorative Drain
Completed Decorative Drain
High Water Volume
French Drains are Designed to handle a higher volume of water than Surface Drains. They can handle broad problem drainage areas that are irregular and would be impossible for a Surface Drain to handle just because water just runs around them and keeps going. French Drains can handle a broad water flow.
They also Intercept Sub-Surface water too!
People don’t realize or think about water flowing across their yard underground. This happens in every yard to some degree. It moves much slower than surface water. Sub-Surface water causes damage to foundations, driveways, and roads. Concrete deteriorates when it stays wet for long periods of time. Even more damage occurs when the water freezes.
French Drains are many times placed across areas that stay wet all the time. Water flows into the gravel of the French Drain laterally underground and are taken to the exit out of the problem area. This keeps foundations and driveways dry. THEY DO A GREAT JOB DRYING OUT THE ENTIRE AREA!
Surface Drains do nothing for Ground Water
A Surface Drain Does absolutely nothing for Sub – Surface water. Wet soil and water below ground are not affected by a surface drain. If you put a Drain Basin with a Grate in the middle of a muddy area with ground water issues, it is a total waste of time and money.
Drain Grate
Below is a Combination Drainage System.
Initially We have a 6 Inch ADS French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter Connected to a NDS 4 Inch Channel Drain. Actually, they are not connected. The 6 Inch French Drain Runs under the Driveway and the 4 Inch Channel Drain is Installed on top of It. So, you have a total of 10 Inches of in Drainpipe Diameter. This was necessary because of the huge volume of water running across their yard. The two drains have their own separate outlet pipes. Together they can handle the “River” that runs across their driveway every time it rains hard.
French Drain and Channel Drain Independently running across the Driveway
Gravel Flower Bed with French Drain underneath
French Drain under walkway
- Drains can look great!
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.
THIS IS NOT A FRENCH DRAIN!
A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes. The Drain Grate may be round or square. Here is a picture of a common Surface Drain.
- Surface Drain and Drainpipe
A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain, and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.
Channel Drain installed in Driveway
Finished Channel Drain From the previous picture
- Channel Drain
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.
Crushed Limestone
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). Surface water falls through the gravel and enters the perforated pipe underneath. Sub-Surface water enters the drain underground laterally, flowing into the drainpipe. Water above ground and water below ground is drained away and taken to the exit.
Drainpipe Installation in Edmond
DON’T COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.
DECORATIVE STONE CAN BE USED TO COVER A FRENCH DRAIN AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND LAST A LIFETIME.
