Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – 405 203 9419

Check out the French Drain installed in Oklahoma City.

French Drain Installed in Rest Home

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

Installing limestone inside trench liner for French drain

    

 

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, with 33 years of experience.

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.

Drainage System Installation in Edmond.

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.

French Drain running under sidewalk to Pop Up Emitter

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.  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.  A Surface Drain 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.

Surface Drain

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.  Surface Drains are available in many sizes.  How quickly they remove standing water is usually determined by the size of the Drainpipe that is connected to the Drain.

Surface Drain Installation in Norman 

Don’t let standing water or storm water run-off damage your home!  We can help  Drainage Problems in and around your home or business.  If you have water standing in the wrong place after a hard rain, a Drainage System can be a great solution!

If your sidewalk turns into a moat after a storm, or if your back yard floods from run-off from your neighbor’s roof give us a call.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can quickly diagnose your Drainage Problems and provide a solution.  We incorporate several types of Drains in our Drainage System depending on the Drainage Problem.

Surface Drain Installation in Oklahoma City

French Drain Definition

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 Drain Pipe is connected underground to an outlet on the Drain Basin.

Storm-Water Drains through the grate into the Drain Basin.  Once in the Drain Basin, water travels out of the basin through a Drain Pipe.  The Storm-Water 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

FRENCH DRAINS AS PART OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR BY THEMSELVES

A French Drain can be a part of a Drainage System or can stand alone.  A Drainage System is made up of one or several types of Drains connected in sequence moving downhill toward an exit or release point.  What makes up or determines the recipe of a Drainage System depends on the “Drainage Diagnosis.”  Every Drainage System is unique to some degree.

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

For Example, A four inch French Drain may run across a hillside, transition to solid 4 inch Solid Drain Pipe while running under a sidewalk, then connecting into a 12 inch Surface Drain in a low spot,  Solid Drain Pipe then could continue to a garage foundation where the Solid Drain Pipe changes back to 4 inch French Drain again and runs along the foundation for say 60 feet.

Complex Drainage System

Next the French Drain changes again to 4-inch Solid Drainpipe and continues under a fence to a Pop-Up Emitter which is the exit point.  This again is just one example of a Drainage System with 2 French Drains and one Surface Drain being the main parts.  This would be considered a “Complex Drainage System.”

A simple Drainage System might be a 6 inch French Drain running along a driveway, turning slightly and changing to 6 inch Solid Drain Pipe and continuing to a Curb Fitting as an Exit Point.

French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, with 32 years of experience. 

FRENCH DRAIN DESIGN

French Drain Design must take into account many variables.  One consideration for a French Drain that many times is missed, is the type of soil.  French Drain Design must take into account the type of soil that the French Drain runs through.  If the soil is “Tight or made up of Clay,

The Gravel or Limestone that is used to fill the French Drain trench may be all that is needed to maintain the integrity of the trench over time.   This means that dirt will not mix in with the French Drain Gravel and clog it up over time.

This is not the case however if your soil is sandy or loose.  A Trench Liner should be used to prevent this type of soil from moving into the gravel of the French Drain.  Trench Liners are relatively inexpensive and are not hard to install.  If you are not sure what to do then install the Trench Liner in the French Drain.

French Drain in Oklahoma City

Determining the size of the French Drainpipe

can be difficult.  If the French Drain is not very big and has no Gutter Down-Spouts or Surface Drains connected to it then 3 inch or 4-inch French Drainpipe may be used.  If the French Drain is large or has many gutters or Surface Drains connected into it, then you should use 6 Inch French Drainpipe or larger.

French Drainpipe Installation

French Drain Design

is also determined by the Problem Drainage Area.  If water is moving into the Problem Drainage Area underground (Sub-Surface), then installing a French Drain is a “Must!”  French Drains can move Sub-Surface water as well as Surface Water.  Surface Drains can only move Surface Water.  This is why French Drains do such a good job protecting driveways, sidewalks, and foundations.

Surface Drain with grate in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair install French Drains and Drainage Systems in all of Central Oklahoma including Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Mustang, Yukon, and Midwest City.

Oklahoma Drainage

Surface Drains in Edmond

French Drain Installation —   French Drains are designed to do a lot of things.  If you have an area that has unwanted water standing in it or running across it, a French Drain can be the answer.

A French Drain is a trench that runs across the Drainage Problem Area.  A French Drainpipe is placed in the bottom of the trench.  The French Drain Pipe is perforated with thousands of small holes.  In most cases the Drainpipe has a nylon soc around the pipe to act as a filter for the French Drain.

The French Drain trench is then filled with some type of small rock or stone.  We typically use crushed 1 inch Limestone to cover the French Drain Pipe.  The dirt that was dug out of the trench is taken away or spread out around the French Drain.  The Limestone replaces the dirt and fills the French Drain Trench all the way to the surface.

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 26 years of experience. 

Installing Surface Drain in Driveway

Oklahoma Drainage Recently installed a Drainage System in Nichols Hills.  The Drainage System was made up of a 4 inch French Drain starting in the back yard.

It ran between the garage and the pool.  Several gutters were connected directly into the French Drain.  From this point, we expanded up to a larger 6 inch Drain pipe to handle the added water into the system from the gutters.  In several places the French Drain had to run through areas where Sprinkler Pipes were in the way.  We had to re-rout all the Sprinkler Pipes and Wires under the French Drain.

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

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.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

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 Drain Pipe 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.

 

Curb Fitting with Acrylic Cement For French Drain

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO LIBRARY!

Photos of French Drains

Photos of Surface Drains

Photos of Channel Drains

Photos of Sprinkler Repair

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.

Limestone or Gravel

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.

French Drain 

A 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 Down-Spouts connected to it.

The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’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.

Don’t Cover a French Drain with Dirt

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.

 

What is a Drainage System?

Simply put, a Drainage System is one or a group of underground Drainpipes that take water away from a place that has water standing on it or flowing across it.  The water that is in the problem area, can be causing damage or may be inconvenient or both.  (Usually Both)

A simple Drainage System is a Drain for the water to enter, a Drainpipe to move the water away from the Drain, and an Exit Point for the water to be released out of the Drainpipe.

Drainage Systems quickly can become more complicated.  Considerations must include:

How does the water get to the problem area?  There may be one or many sources.

Water Sources:

1.  It falls from the sky directly

2.  It flows downhill over the surface (surface water)

3.  It flows underground under the surface (sub-surface water)

4.  It flows from the edge of a roof ( There may be many roofs near the problem area, neighbors etc.)

5.  It flows from a gutter downspout

6.  It flows over the edge of a gutter because the gutter is too small is is clogged

7.  It flows up from the ground (seeps and springs are common in Oklahoma)

8.  It flows from a sprinkler system use ( yours or your neighbors)

9.  It flows from a leaking pipe ( water mains, water meters, water lines, sprinkler pipes, sprinkler valves)

There are other reasons for Drainage Problems, the above reasons are just the most common.

Once the number of water sources is determined, a rough estimate of the amount of water that needs to be drained away on average must be estimated.  This can be simplified down to “SMALL, MEDIUM, OR LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER TO BE DRAINED AWAY.

Diagnosing Drainage Problems

You don’t have to be an engineer trying to calculate fluid dynamics.  Experience at diagnosing drainage problems helps however.  How much water needs to be moved will help determine the type and size of the Surface Drain or French Drain that needs to be installed.

It also helps to determine the size of Drainpipe required for the Drainage System.  A good rule to follow is, “If in doubt, install a larger Drain and Drainpipe.”  Unused Drainage Capacity is better than property damage caused by a Drain that is overwhelmed by too much water.

For home and small business use typical materials used are:

6 inch, 9 inch, and 12 inch Surface Drains –

3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch Drainpipes —

3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch French Drains —

French Drains move more water than Surface Drains —

French Drains move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water

Surface Drains move Surface Water only

Surface Drains look nicer than French Drains in most cases

Drainage System

Once the type and number of drains is determined and what size Drainpipe will connect them, an exit point must be selected.  (Where is the Drainage System going to take the water to and release it?)

Installing Drainage Curb Fitting for a French Drain in Norman

The Drainage Curb Fitting is installed when the desired exit point for the French Drain will release the Drainage Water into the Street.

A Drainage Curb Fitting

is rectangular in shape and made to be installed through the curb.  A small section of Curb is cut out with a concrete saw.  The Section is a few inches wider than the Drainage Curb Fitting.

We then install new concrete around the curb fitting.  Once the concrete has dried, the Drainpipe coming from a French Drain or Surface Drain is connected to the Drainage Curb fitting and then covered with dirt.

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.  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.

Oklahoma Drainage

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!

French Drain as Part of a Drainage System

A French Drain is one part of a Drainage System.  A French Drain can be connected to other types of Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts and then run through Drain Pipe to an Exit point where the water is released.

A Drainage Exit Point is the area where water goes to be released when it comes out of the Drainage System. The two most common exit points for a Drainage System are a Pop-Up Emitter or a Curb Fitting. A Pop-Up Emitter is a Fitting on the end of a Drain Pipe that has a lid that pops up and releases water. When water drainage is complete, the lid shuts back.

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

Haul away the excess dirt

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 French Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.

Drawback of a French Drain