Archive for the ‘Drainage Systems’ Category

French Drain Tips, French Drain Information, Part 1

Posted: February 7, 2020 in Drainage System, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Tips
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French Drain Tips are Provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.

French Drains and Surface Drains as part of Drainage Systems

This is a series of blogs that first explains exactly what French Drains and Surface Drains are,  and how they are used in a Drainage System.

Next, I will explain exactly what the benefits and drawbacks are of each type of drain and why you would use one type of drain over another in many different situations.

Last, I will explain the specifics of how to install your own Drainage System and how to diagnose exactly what type of system you need in the first place.

At the top and  bottom of every blog in this series will be a listing of all the connecting blogs that you can “Click” on to easily move back and forth through the series.

Next Blog

A French Drain is just a part of a Drainage System.  Many people refer to basically any type of Drain in or around their home as a French Drain.  This actually in not correct.

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

Before you can really understand what a French Drain is, you first must be familiar with a Drainage System and what it involves.

Intake

A Drainage System has three parts.  It has an “Intake” to bring water into the Drainage System.  It is placed in a low area where water is standing or is in area where water sometimes runs across it over the surface or under the surface or both.  An “Intake” will be a French Drain, Surface Drain or Sump Pump.

In a Simple Drainage System there will only be One “Intake.”  In a Complex Drainage System there will be several Intakes.  They may vary in type and size.  For Example, You may have a Drainage System with a Surface Drain, and a French Drain and a Sump Pump all as separate  Intakes in the Drainage System.  The Intakes will vary in number and type depending on what water issues you are trying to fix.

Transition

The “Transition” is the second part of the Drainage System which is the Drainpipe that moves the water out of the area that is flooded.  It is your water “High Way, ” as it were.  Typically there are two types of Transition Drainpipes that will be covered later.

Exit

Finally you have an “Exit” which releases the water from the drainage system.  It must be in an area that is lower than the French Drain or Surface Drain that is you “Intake.”

 

connecting down spout

Connecting Gutter Down Spout to French Drain Under Sidewalk

Perforated Pipe

A French Drain  is a perforated pipe that is basically full of slits or holes.  A trench is dug across the problem drainage area.  The dirt from the trench is hauled away.  The perforated pipe is placed in the trench.  The Drainage trench is dug deep enough so that the perforated French Drainpipe is several inches below ground level when placed in the trench.  Next gravel or some type of crushed stone is placed on top and around the French Drain perforated pipe until the trench is full.

 

Once a French Drain is completed you will see gravel on the surface in a place where dirt use to be.

Large Amount of Water

A French Drain is designed to take in and move a large amount of water.  It covers a large area with water standing on or moving across the area.  It needs to have some “Slope” or “Fall” to drain the water.  The pipe needs to run down hill to the exit point to release it from the Drainage System.  If it is up hill in all directions from the French Drain then there is a problem.  We all know that water will not flow up hill.  Some times this can be overcome when it is only slightly up hill by digging the trench deeper as you go up hill.  Still the exit point in the Drainage System must be lower than the French Drain where the water is taken into the drainage system, or the water will never drain.

In conclusion, a French Drain is a perforated Pipe in a trench covered in gravel.  It is the “Intake” part of a Drainage System.  It covers a wide area and needs to be higher than the exit point of the Drainage System.

This is the first in a series of blogs about French Drains and all other types of Drains as well.  If you would like to learn more just Click on the “Next Blog” below.

Next Drain Blog

French Drain Inspection, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Norman, Edmond, French Drain Repair –

Posted: January 24, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage System Repair, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Inspection is a primary focus for Oklahoma Drainage. We have been Inspecting and servicing French Drains as part of Drainage Systems since 1993.   We also install Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps to fit our customer’s needs.

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

A Drainage System is made up of three parts.  An Intake, a transition, and an Exit.

An intake is a Drain or a group of Drains that brings water into the Drainage System.  It can be a French Drain, Surface Drains, Channel Drain, or Sump Pump.

A Drainage System can have one intake or several.  If more than one, it can be any combination of French Drains, Surface Drains, Etc.

For Example: You might have a Surface Drain set in your sidewalk and a Channel Drain next to your driveway and a French Drain in your yard.  They all connect to each other through drainpipe and feed water into the Drainage System.

The Transition is the Drainpipe that takes the water to the exit point.  It can be a large pipe or small depending on how much water needs to be moved and how fast it needs to drain.  More than one Drainage Exit Point.  This increases the amount of water that the Drainage System can move.

There are other things to take into account and consider as well.

french drain walk way

French Drain installed under walkway

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

installs French Drains and Surface Drains in lawns, flower beds and many other places.  We also install Surface Drains and Channel Drains Set in concrete in sidewalks and driveways.  Wherever you need a Drain to help protect your home or property, we are there to help.  Experience Counts, going on 27 years now.

A French Drain Can Handle Surface and Sub-Surface Water

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 under ground) 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.

Appearance

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

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.

Setting in the channel drain

Setting in the Channel Drain in the cut.

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.  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

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?)

The Drainage Curb Fitting

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

 

Another Storm is headed our way.  It looks like a WET FALL.  Every time it rains, Do you have water standing in the wrong place?  Even worse!  Do you have water seeping into your home or business?  If you have water standing in your yard, on your sidewalk, or dripping into your basement, Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help.  We have been designing Drainage Systems for Homes or Business since 1993.

cement channel drain

Channel Drain in Sidewalk

Today we installed a Drain Basin and a Sump Pump in front of a recessed basement door.  Problem solved!  

We can deal with a wide variety of Drainage Problems, Specializing in: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basement Drains, and Sump Pumps.

WHAT DRAINAGE PROBLEM CAN WE SOLVE FOR YOU?

 

 

standing water

A good place for a French Drain 

French Drain and Drainage Systems Installed, Oklahoma City, Norman, Lawton, Duncan

Posted: January 17, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage System Repair, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – Drainage System Installation, French Drain Installation, Lawn Sprinkler Repair, Since 1993.

Servicing: Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Lawton, Duncan, and all of Central and Western Oklahoma

A good place for a French Drain

 

Just what is a “French Drain?” Many times people incorrectly

A French Drain can protect your foundation!

use the phrase, “French Drain,” when they mean “Surface Drain” or “Channel Drain.”

Surface Drian

Channel Drain

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

Perforated French Drain Pipe

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 lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated 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. 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 about 20% of the time. Most of the time a liner in not needed.

French Drain March 2011

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.

French Drain with Colored Gravel

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 lime stone. 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.

French 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.

Oklahoma City French Drain, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Lawton /

Posted: November 12, 2019 in Drain Installation, Drain Repair, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Photos, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma City French Drain Installation,  Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma

Standing Water can cause all types of problems in and around homes in Oklahoma.

swampy french drain area

A good place for a French Drain

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler repair can help.  We can put a Drain in a Driveway, or fix a leaking Sprinkler Valve.

If you have water standing in your yard and need a French Drain, or have a broken Back Flow Valve that has frozen and is leaking, We can help.

405 203 9419

French Drain Pipe running to curb outlet in Oklahoma City.

French Drain Pipe running to curb outlet in Oklahoma City.

 

 

 

When installing a Drainage System of any type, a decision must be made on the size of Drain Pipe used.  Typically 6 inch, 4 inch, and 3 inch are the most common in Residential Drainage Systems.

 

If you have one or two 6 inch Surface Drains or a stretch of French Drain that is less than 10 feet, then a 3 inch drain pipe can be used.   Three inch drain pipe is used for low volume applications.

4 inch and 6 inch

4 inch and 6 inch Drain Pipe

If you have two or three 12 inch Surface Drains or a stretch of French Drain that is 60 feet or less, then 4 inch drain Pipe should do the job.

If you have Six 12 inch Surface Drains or less or 100 Feet of French Drain, Then the use of 6 inch drain pipe becomes necessary.

two French Drain

100 feet of french drain

These numbers can be exceeded.  More Surface Drains or French Drain can be added to the above listing, however the drain pipe will be overwhelmed at times of heavy rain.  If it is OK with you for your French Drains or Surface Drains to Stand Underwater for a while until the Drainage System can catch up and clear the excess water away.  How long it stays underwater varies from one application to another.

Slope is a big consideration.  If your drain pipe runs downhill nicely and the water moves quickly, then you can exceed the above numbers.  If you have very little slope and your Drain Pipe only runs downhill slightly, then installing fewer drains is definitely a good idea.

Connecting a gutter downspout to a drain that only has a small slope is always a good idea.  The water on the roof has nice velocity when it comes out the gutter and into the drain pipe.  It speeds up the water movement when the slope ins’t very good.  It also causes suction behind the gutter downspout in the French Drain or Surface Drain that you have installed.

Drainage System Information, French Drain, Surface Drain, Channel Drain, Oklahoma City, Norman

Posted: February 13, 2015 in Drainage Systems, french drain
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Drainage System Information

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.

Or If you live in Norman and have 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.

Or If you live in Moore and 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.

Hard rain and flooding seem to be more common all the time.  When I started this business in 1993, having over an inch of rainfall in an hour was pretty extreme.  Now having over 4 inch an hour rainfall is not unheard of and is becoming more common.

Protecting our homes and businesses from unwanted water should be a goal for all of us.

Oklahoma Drainage has seen and dealt with virtually every possible Drainage and Standing water problem that can occur in or around your home.  With over 2700 Drainage Systems installed since 1993, we have amassed a great deal of experience.  This is helpful in seeing underlying problems.  We look for Secondary Water Issues not just the Primary ones.

 In this business EXPERIENCE TRULY COUNTS!

Hiring your brother- in- law  or a Landscape Company to put in your Drainage System is a bad idea.  If a landscape company also installs French Drains, you should run!

Why don’t they specialize???  Does your Lawyer also do physical therapy?

Some Builders also make bad choices concerning drainage on new homes they are building.  New houses should not  have problems with water.   Builders usually have a landscape company that installs their drains.  Sometimes its a maintenance guy that works for the builder.  It’s Usually the cheapest fix possible.  I’ve testified in more than one class action lawsuit where a whole housing sub-division had unnecessary Drainage Issues.

Water can cause a huge amount of damage.  How important is your money and your home?  Over 30% of the work done by Oklahoma Drainage is fixing other people’s mistakes.   I appreciate the work, but I get frustrated when bad things happen to good people concerning water!

Blane Callen, 405 203 9419

 

 

We Service Surrounding Central Oklahoma including Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, and Purcell. 405 203 9419

French Drain Installation this week was a little more difficult than normal. Many times the route that a Perforated French Drainpipe must travel to its exit point is not very easy from an installation point of view. French Drains may have to travel through tree roots, (big ones) under sidewalks, through retaining walls, around swing sets or dog kennels or Mom’s Prize Rose Bush. The 4 inch French Drain we installed this week was in Oklahoma City south of 23rd in an old part of town where all the houses were old 2 or 3 story homes with lots of huge Elm Trees.

The Elm Tree

in Question actually was just an old stump that had been topped out but not completely removed. They left the roots just for us! The roots were growing into the homes foundation and were right in the way of the path of the French Drain. Forty feet of solid Elm Roots and 4 chain-saw blades later we were successful in running a new French Drain through a tree stump. Yuck! “Well you gotta do what you gotta do!”

A little info about French Drainpipe and Tree Roots. Normally tree roots don’t seek out and penetrate French Drainpipe. Tree roots seek moisture and residual water that may stay inside Solid Drainpipe.

French Drainpipe is perforated.

Water that does not reach the exit point of the French Drain will seep out of the Pipe into the surrounding dirt. Solid Drainpipe that is used with Surface Drains can be penetrated and eventually clogged by roots if the pipe does not have good slope or “Fall”. If the solid pipe does not drain well and has residual water, tree roots will seek it out.

Check out our most popular blog!

Drainage Systems are designed to protect your home or business from standing water. Storm-Water Runoff can cause damage in many ways. Water from your gutters can seep down into your home’s foundation if it has no good way to drain off. If the temperature then drops below freezing, the water around your foundation can freeze and cause serious damage to the home’s foundation. Foundation repair can cost more than a Drainage System.

Drainage Systems typically make use of, French Drains, Surface Drains, or Channel Drains. Depending on the Drainage Problem.

 A Drainage System

may utilize one or several types of Drains. We might install, for example, A Surface Drain in the middle of a driveway that runs to a gutter that is connected into the drainpipe. The Drainpipe might continue to a French Drain running parallel to a home’s foundation. Next the drainpipe might continue to a channel drain cutting across a sidewalk. The Drainpipe might then reach its exit point running out through a curb fitting installed and cemented through the curb.

A Surface Drain basically is a basin that has a grate on the top. A drainpipe is connected to the basin below ground. The water flows in through the grate and down into the basin. The water then exits the Basin through the Drainpipe and move toward the exit point of the Drainage System.

Surface Drains are designed to handle water that accumulates in a low area. These areas should not be too large or broad, and the water that drains into a surface drain should not be moving very fast. Surface Drains can become overwhelmed if they are placed in an area that must move a large volume of water, quickly. Selecting the correct drain for the specific drainage problem is a benefit that we provide through twenty years of experience.

FRENCH DRAIN, SURFACE DRAIN PHOTOS AND INFORMATION

Posted: October 13, 2014 in Drainage Problems, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Contractor, Oklahoma City French Drain
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FRENCH DRAIN, SURFACE DRAIN PHOTOS AND INFORMATION

 

 Standing water can cause many types of property damage ranging from foundation problems to cracked sidewalks and dead plants and shrubs.  If you have need of French Drain or Surface Drain, give us a call.  We provide free estimates for all of central Oklahoma.

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

 

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains.  Most Drainage Systems , however are basic and require just one type of Drain.  Oklahoma Drainage installs a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains are most commonly used.  If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, give us a call.    405-226-0629

Channel Drain Installed by CMG In Yukon

Channel Drain Installed by Oklahoma Drainage In Yukon

Channel Drains are one kind of Surface Drain that we install in concrete.

The most common Drain that we install is the French Drain.  This is because the French Drain is versatile.  It can handle Surface Water Problems or Underground Water Problems (sub-surface).  A huge mistake that many people make is assuming that water gets to a Problem Drainage Area by flowing over the surface only.  For example, if water is flowing down hill underground toward your home’s foundation, the only way to stop or intercept it is with a French Drain.  Water can flow laterally into a perforated French Drain Pipe.  It is then diverted away from the Problem Drainage Area to an Exit Point.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Pop Up Emitters can release water from Surface Drains or French Drains.  They can release water on to sidewalks or driveways, or out in the middle of yards.

 

 

 

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.  There are several sizes of French Drainpipe.   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 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.

 

 

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

When we run Drainpipe across yards to an Exit Point, the sod usually can be put back into place and in a few days you can’t tell a French Drain was ever Installed.
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 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 French Drain.  In some cases thick grass growing up through the French Drain will create a natural “Thatch” filter.  This makes the French Drain invisible.  The trick is to allow the grass to grow over the French Drain Gravel without covering it up with dirt.  Grasses such as Bermuda which grow well in the sun will put out runners and new roots and will grow up and through the French Drain.  This will not affect the performance of the French Drain.  The problem is that some times depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain.  Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.

DON’T 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.   

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:
                                         A.  Leave the French Drain as-is and allow grass to grow over it in time.
                                         B.  Add grass seed directly to the French Drain gravel with (Light Hand Watering) to speed the growth process
                                         C.  Leave the French Drain as-is but decorate it with steppingstones and landscaping rocks (leaving large cracks between stones to allow water to get into the French Drain,
2
If you install a French Drain in a shady area, you can:
                                        A.  Leave the French Drain as-is, it will work well and look as it did for many years.

                                        B.  Leave the French Drain as-is, but decorate it with stepping stones or landscaping rocks.  Many French Drains are hidden under rock walk ways.

 

Installing Surface Drain System in Edmond Oklahoma

Installing Surface Drain System in Edmond Oklahoma

Sometimes Surface Drains make more sense when the Drainage Problem area is fairly small with Surface Water Flowing into it.

  Oklahoma Drainage also installs a variety of other types of Drains.  Our Drainage Systems may utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.  In the past 21 years, we have installed French Drains to keep water away from home and business foundations, Surface Drains to keep water away from sidewalks and driveways, Trench Drains, and French Drains to keep standing water out of flowerbeds and yards, and Sump Pumps to remove water from basements and outdoor low-lying areas.

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with steppingstones

French Drain Information, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Yukon

Posted: October 9, 2014 in Drainage Problems, Drainage Systems, Edmond Oklahoma French Drain, french drain, French Drain Contractor
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FRENCH DRAIN INFORMATION, OKLAHOMA CITY, EDMOND, NORMAN, YUKON.

 

 

 

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drains are designed to cover large areas and move lots of water.  During a hard rain water will seep down through the gravel and into the Perforated French Drain Pipe that is buried under the gravel.  The water fills into the pipe and moves down hill to the desired Exit Point.  French Drains like the one in the picture above that are in the sun most of the day will have grass that overgrows the limestone.  The gravel will disappear over time.  The French Drain will continue to work even after the grass has grown over it.  A “Thatch Filter ” is made up of the grass that covers the French Drain.  The French Drain then has two filters.  First is the Neo-Prene Soc that comes around the Perforated French Drain Pipe.  Later when the grass grows over it, the French Drain then has a second Thatch Filter.  This ensures that the French Drain Pipe won’t clog over time with dirt, sand, or debris.  This only works with grass that does well in the sun like Bermuda or Tift.

Shade Grasses won’t grow up and through French Drain gravel.

 

French Drain Pipe Installation in Edmond

French Drain Pipe Installation in Edmond

 

Installing a French Drain by itself or as part of a Drainage System is a very fulfilling aspect of my job   Many times Drainage Problems have caused damage to homes or businesses.  Understandably the owners are stressed an unhappy.  Over the years French Drain installation has solved a broad range of problems caused by “Standing Water.”  French Drains have removed water from home foundations and stopped further water damage.  French Drains have protected and enhanced driveways and sidewalks.  French Drain Installation has also removed Standing Water from flowerbeds and yards that weren’t level.  Once we even solved a water flow problem where a customer in Chickasha had water tear off their garage door and take out the back wall of the garage.  A Double 6 inch French Drain across the hillside above the driveway solved the problem.  Providing piece of mind and safety to property is satisfying.  French Drain Installation Provides this!

 

Curb Outlet to release water from French Drain in Norman

Curb Outlet to release water from French Drain in Norman

French Drain Moore Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair, Norman, Edmond

Posted: September 24, 2014 in Drainage Systems, french drain, Moore Oklahoma French Drain, Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair
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French Drain Moore Oklahoma.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has provided Installation and Service since 1993.  Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma

French Drain as Part of a Drainage System, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond

Oklahoma Drainage  and Sprinkler Repair, 405 203 9419

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.   With over 32 years of experience, we provide top quality French Drains, Drainage Systems, and Sprinkler Repair.

Trench For a French Drain

A Drainage System has 3 basic parts.  They are the:  1.  Intake Point,  2.  Transition Stage,  3.  The Exit Point

 

The, ” Intake’ part of a Drainage System is usually located in the ,”Problem Drainage Area” at it lowest point.  This is where water is taken into the Drainage System through some type of Drain or Gutter.  A French Drain or a Surface Drain are the two most common intake Drains.

A French Drain is a trench that runs through the Problem Drainage Area.  The French Drain Trench usually runs one or two feet deep but can be deeper or more shallow depending on the need.  In most cases a trench liner is placed in the trench.  This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the French Drain Trench.  A perforated French Drainpipe is placed on top of  the liner and runs to the, “Transitions Stage.”

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

Installing Gravel on top of a 6-inch French Drain

A Surface Drain is also used as an Intake point.  A Surface Drain is a basin with a square or round grate on top.  The Drain Pipe that is connected to the Surface Drain or French Drain begins the Transition stage.  Simply put, for water to get into a Drainage System, it must pass through either a French Drain or a Surface Drain.

Large Amounts of Water

A French Drain is designed to handle large amounts of water over a large area.  A Surface Drain is designed to handle smaller amounts or water that is more centralized in a smaller area.

A French Drain takes in Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water (water flowing underground).  A Surface Drain can only take in Surface Water on top of the ground.

The Transition Stage is where water travels out of the French Drain or Surface Drain and into a Solid Drainpipe.  The Solid Drain Pipe takes the water to an Exit point or another Problem Drainage Area.  Several French Drains or Surface Drains can be connected in any combination.  This is determined by the needs of the next Problem Drainage Area that is farther down the hill.

Limiting Factor

The limiting factor is the size of the Drainpipe between Drains.

The greater the number of Drains that are connected together, the larger the Solid Drainpipe must be between them.

Surface Drains induct small amounts of water into the Drainage System.  If you have a large 6 inch Drainpipe, many Surface Drains can be connected together on their way to the exit point.  French Drains Take In larger amounts of water faster.  As a result, only a Few French Drains can be connected together on their way to the exit point.  French Drains and Surface Drains can also be connected together by one Drainpipe.

 

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

 
Once water leaves the French Drain or Surface Drain, it runs through the solid Drainpipe (The Transitions) to the Exit Point.  
 
Water is released through two types of Exit Points.  They are the Pop-Up Emitter and the Curb Fitting.  A Pop-Up Emitter can be in any good open area.  A Curb Fitting is installed through the curb and requires Wet Cement to install it.
Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

 

French Drain Installed in Oklahoma City, –

Posted: November 27, 2013 in Drainage Problems, Drainage System, Drainage Systems, French Drain Contractor, Oklahoma City French Drain
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Angie’s List has awarded CMG Sprinklers and Drains  their top rating for customer service and lists CMG with an “A” rating.  CMG Installs Drainage Systems, Lawn Sprinkler Systems and provides Expert Sprinkler System Repair.   Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.  Sprinkler Systems installed by CMG use Rain Bird or Hunter Sprinkler Parts.  With over 20 years of experience we provide top quality Sprinkler Systems, French Drains, Drainage Systems, and Sprinkler Repair. 

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

Drainage System Installation in Norman
Drainage System Installation in Norman

Today we installed a 6 Inch French Drain at an apartment complex near Lake Heffner.  The French Drain started in the back yard of one unit.  The Drain Pipe went under the fence and into the adjoining unit’s back yard.  The French Drain then looped around their patio and out under their fence to the west.  To get the 6 inch Drain Pipe to the correct Exit Point, we had to cut out 30 feet of sidewalk and run the French Drain Pipe under the sidewalk.  Next, we replaced the sidewalk with new concrete.  Finally, we dug a drainage ditch across the front yard to the parking lot.  We covered the Drain Pipe with sod that we carefully removed when digging the trench.  At the edge of the parking lot a 6 inch Pop-Up Emitter was installed to release the Storm water.  Seven Gutters were connected directly into the Drainage System along the way.

This particular Drainage System was made up of 55 Feet of 6 inch French Drain, 78 Feet of Solid ADS Solid Drain Pipe, Seven Gutter Connections, and one 6 inch Pop-Up Emitter.

Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore,French Drain Installation — Drainage Solutions

Posted: November 25, 2010 in Drainage Problems, Drainage System, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Contractor
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Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, French Drain Installation.  Drainage Solutions

 

Every time it rains, Do you have water standing in the wrong place? Does Storm-water runoff leave water standing on your driveway, sidewalk, backyard, flowerbed, or one of many low spots in your yard? 

Oklahoma Drainage  can quickly diagnose your drainage problems and design a solution through the use of one or several kinds or drains in combination.

Surface Drain Installation

Get rid of standing water!

 

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