Archive for the ‘French Drain Repair’ Category

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

Posted: April 6, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Repair and Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes – Sprinkler Head Adjustment – Sprinkler Valve Replacement

We provide Service for Folks in: Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Moore.

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

Norman Oklahoma French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair, 1234 Completed in Norman since 1993

Harsh weather in Oklahoma seems to becoming more common.  In Recently, Norman Oklahoma had 4 inches of rain in two hours.  That’s the most rain in a short time that I can remember.  Storm-Water runoff can cause damage to all types of property and buildings.  Water getting inside your house is never a good thing.  A Drainage System that utilizes a French Drain can help.

French Drain protects sidewalk
French Drain keeps water off of sidewalk

Drains can protect your home and property from water damage. Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman

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.

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.

 

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 Drainpipe 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.

Oklahoma Drainage typically uses crushed 1 inch Limestone to cover the French Drainpipe. 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.

French Drains are Versatile!!!!!! Surface Drains are not!

Posted: April 2, 2023 in Channel Drain, french drain, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Repair and Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes – Sprinkler Head Adjustment – Sprinkler Valve Replacement

We provide Service for Folks in: Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Moore.

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

French Drains solve many types of water problems.  A French Drain is more versatile than a Surface Drain or a Channel Drain.
 A French Drain can Handle Large Areas or Small.
French Drains Move Surface Water Flowing Above Ground.
 A French Drain  can Move Sub Surface Water Flowing Below Ground.
French Drains Can Move Larger Amounts Of Water Compared To Channel Drains or Surface Drains

Channel Drain Across Driveway

French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway

In The Picture Above is a Channel Drain and a French Drain.  Do you know which one is which?

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.

Installing French Drain

The White Material is the Trench Liner. The black material is the Pipe Filter.

 

 

 

 

 

One Problem with connecting Gutter Down Spouts into a French Drain is overwhelming the Drainage System with too much water.  Three Gutter Down Spouts is usually OK to connect into a French Drain.  More than 3 Down Spouts can be too many.

The Drainage System Design should also take into account the size of the French Drain and the Gutters.  If you have a large long French Drain or over-sized gutters,  the number of Gutter Down Spouts connected into the French Drain Should be reduced.

This problem can usually be solved by increasing the size of the French Drain Pipe.  This usually means moving up from a 4 inch French Drainpipe to a 6 inch French Drain Pipe.  Four inch is the most common size of French Drainpipe.  If you have more than 3 gutter Down Spouts to connect, you should move up to a 6 inch French Drainpipe.

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, we can help.

French Drain Installed in Oklahoma City, Moore, Edmond, Or Norman

Posted: March 18, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Photos, French Drain Repair
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French Drains as part of a Drainage System – 

Many times people use the term “ French Drain” as general name for a Drain used in or around your home.  French Drains are designed to move a lot of water over a large flooded area.  They are also designed to take water in on the surface of the ground or below the surface of the ground.  This is very important if the water coming into the flooded area is moving through the ground or coming up from underneath.  ” Sub Surface Water Movement.”  The picture below is not a French Drain!

A French Drain looks like this

Installing French Drain

The White Material is the Trench Liner. The black material is the Pipe Filter.

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

French Drain Repair and Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes – Sprinkler Head Adjustment – Sprinkler Valve Replacement

We provide Service for Folks in: Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Moore.

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

A French Drain can take in water in a broad area.  It can move a much larger volume of water compared to a Surface Drain.  Also, it can move sub surface water moving into the area where a Surface Drain won’t move any water at all.

Surface Drains are designed to move surface water only on a smaller scale in confined areas.

Each solves specific drainage problems.  A Drainage System may use one or both together or even several using many types of drains.

Do you have standing water in a large area in your yard?  Typically this calls for a French Drain.  A French Drain is a great way to control standing water in a large grassy area.  It can also protect areas from flooding to a certain degree.  As long as the French Drains capacity to move water is not exceeded.  If the French Drains capacity is exceeded then water will stand in the drainage area until the rain stops and the drain has time to catch up.  A good way to prevent this is to install a bigger French Drain with a larger pipe.  The difference between a 3 inch French Drain and a 6 inch French Drain is huge.

Another way to beef up a French Drain is to connect gutter down spouts in front of the French Drain.  The water coming off the roof causes suction in the French Drain Behind it.  This greatly increases the French Drains ability to move water without increasing the size of the French Drain Pipe.

Gutter Downspout Connected to 6 Inch French Drain

 

Do I need a French Drain?

Posted: March 12, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Repair
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Do I need a French Drain?

French Drain Repair and Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes – Sprinkler Head Adjustment – Sprinkler Valve Replacement

We provide Service for Folks in: Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Moore.

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

The need for Drainage Systems is increasing in Oklahoma.  During heavy thunder storms,  homes and business need a way to drain water away.  Storm water can cause many kinds of damage.  Here are just a few:

1.  Driveways and Sidewalks can crack and deteriorate

2.  Foundations can crack move or shift

3.  Vents and ducts can fill with water

4.  Mold can be allowed to grow

5.  Trees and Plants and grass can be damaged or drown

Too much water is never a good thing!

Oklahoma Drainage can quickly diagnose your Drainage Problem and provide a free quote for a Drainage System.  With twenty years of experience, we realize that Drainage Problems may be very complex and difficult or very straight forward and simple.  Every Drainage Problem is unique to a certain degree.  Don’t kid yourself,  Experience Counts!

What is the Primary Water Problem?

We take many things into account when providing a Drainage Diagnostic for a Customer.  We determine:

1.  What is the Primary Water Source to the problem?  Where is the water coming from?

2.  Is there a Secondary Water Source?  Other Places that water may be coming from.    All Drainage Problems have more than one source!

3.  How many Subsequent Water Sources are present?   Some complex Drainage Problems have many water sources.

4.  What exit points are available for gravity to move water away from the problem area?  Where are we trying to take the water to, and how is it

going to be released?  Is more than one exit point possible to increase capacity?

5   How much water must be moved?  What Size Drainpipe is necessary to lessen the chance of being overwhelmed by flooding?    This is a tough

consideration.  (Larger Pipe – Larger Cost to Install)

6 Inch French Drain Installation
6 Inch French Drain Installation

These are just a few of the considerations for any Drainage System Diagnostic.

DSC00490
4 Inch Drainpipe running under sidewalk

The Drainage System shown in the three above pictures consisted of the following:

Three Gutter Downspouts in the front yard were connected to 4-inch ADS solid Drainpipe with Large Drainage Gutter Connections.  Three lateral 4-inch Pipes were run from each gutter to one outflow pipe moving the water to two exit Pop Up Emitters. One of the Drainpipes ran under the sidewalk to reach the Exit Drainpipe.

This Drainage System had two exit points.  One Pop-Up Emitter was on the edge of the driveway in the front yard.  The other Pop-Up Emitter was installed in the back yard near the property line.  Two exit points allows for a much larger Water Drainage Capacity.  (During Heavy Rains the Drainage System Can Move More Water Faster)

The back yard Exit Pipe

then connected to 55 feet of 4-inch French Drain that was installed along the SW corner of the house.  The French Drain provided a protective barrier for that room of the house where water had previously been leaking into the floor vents.  Two Gutter Down Spouts were also connected in the back yard to the Drainage System.

Popup Emitter to release water from a Drainage System in Yukon.
Popup Emitter to release water from a Drainage System in Yukon.

A few days later a heavy rain came in.  No water stood on the sidewalk near the front door, and nor water seeped into the floor vents in the back bedroom.

 

 

Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, French Drain Installation

Posted: March 6, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Repair
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Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, French Drain Installation

 

 

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.

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.

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!

 

Wow!  A hard rain came through last night.   Hard rains in Oklahoma typically cause flooding.  Standing water is never a good thing.  It causes damage to grass, trees, sidewalks, foundations, and driveways. Oklahoma Drainage can help if you have Drainage Problems with your home or small business.  If you live in Central Oklahoma we can provide a free estimate for a drainage system that will address your specific Drainage Problems.  So if your driveway turns into a small lake every time it rains, or if your sidewalk looks like a moat after just a little shower, or worst of all you have water seeping into your home, give Oklahoma Drainage a call.

 

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 Drain Pipe is placed in the bottom of the trench.  The French Drain Pipe is perforated with thousands of small holes.  In most cases the Drain Pipe 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 Lime Stone 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 Lime Stone replaces the dirt and fills the French Drain Trench all the way to the surface.

Installing French Drain

The White Material is the Trench Liner. The black material is the Pipe Filter.

FRENCH DRAIN  CONNECTED TO GUTTERS

Many different types of Drains can be hooked together by one Drain Pipe.  The Drain Pipe 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 near by Drain Pipe 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.

French Drain Design Steps –

Posted: February 25, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Design, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Design Steps, Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore

Installing French Drains is what we do most.

Oklahoma Drainage has been installing French Drains, Surface Drains, Sump Pumps and Sod since 1993.

French Drain Installation

French drain Installation

French Drain Design

is just Designing the French Drain Part of a Drainage System.

If you have already Diagnosed Your Water Problem the French Drain Design comes next.

Determine the Depth of the Drainage Trench.

To do this you must first look at the amount of slope involved.

Is the ground where the drainage trench will be located on a slope?  Hopefully it is.

A very slight slope is hard to work with.   The French Drain Trench can’t be very deep.  If it is too deep and you don’t have much slope then water will enter the French Drain and will just sit there.  It won’t move toward the transition pipe which will then take the water to the Exit.

If the slope is good and you can easily tell which way is downhill, then you can dig the drainage trench toward the exit knowing that it should flow well.

You want your drainage trench to run across your drainage problem area.  It needs to be running downhill toward the exit.

The more slope you have the deeper the French Drain can be dug if desired.

If the French Drain Trench is Deeper, it can carry more water downhill toward the exit.  Some of the water will travel in the French Drain Perforated Pipe.  If it becomes completely full then additional water will travel down the trench in the gravel above the French Drainpipe while still in the Drainage Trench.  This is important it you have desire for your French Drain to Handle Flood Prevention Which is more robust than just 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.

Surface Drain Installation

Surface Drain Installation

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.

4 Inch NDS Channel Drain With Grey Grate Connected to 6 Inch ADS French Drain With Trench Liner and Pipe Filter Making a Duel Intake Drainage System

French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway

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

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.

French Drain Installed next to surface drain

Surface Drain and French Drain

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.

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.

Surface Drain

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
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
Surface Drain Installation in Oklahoma City

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.”

Connecting French Drain into Surface Drain

Connecting French Drain into Surface Drain

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.

Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler Head Adjustment

Sprinkler Repair Service Provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Since 1993 we have Replaced Sprinkler Valves that were sticking or were wore out. Thousands of Sprinkler Heads have been adjusted.
Countless Sprinkler Controllers have been Reprogramed or Replaced. We also have fixed a broken Sprinkler Pipe or Two.  Seems like a million.  Ok, not that many.I wonder how many?  A lot!!!!Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

Oklahoma Drainage, Norman Oklahoma French Drain

Posted: January 30, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Repair, Oklahoma Drainage
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Oklahoma Drainage, Norman Oklahoma French Drain

Recently we had a customer with a sever water problem. They had recently purchased a new home which was built on a hill side. The hill behind the house was steep and the grade to keep the water from running into their back porch wasn’t very good.

Water was running under the cement slab of the back porch. To make matters worse cracking was occurring in the new concrete.

The Solution

The Solution involved installing a 6-inch French drain running the entire length of the house to intercept the surface water running down the hill into the house.

More importantly, the French Drain intercepted the underground sub-surface water that was running down the hill and under the slab.

French Drains protect homes and foundations from surface water and sub-surface water.

We also connected 6 gutter down spouts directly into the drainage system. Problem solved.

 

In the past 30 years,

Oklahoma Drainage has designed and installed a large number of Drainage Systems.  For the most part, we have utilized French Drains and Surface Drains of many different shapes and sizes.  In two decades we have built up a high level of experience diagnosing Drainage Problems.  We know what to look for, what to expect, and how to approach a wide variety of situations where water is in a harmful or undesirable place.

Installing French Drain and Curb Outlet in Drainage System in Norman.

6 Inch French drain
French Drain in Flood area

Oklahoma Drainage  installs many types of Drains in a wide variety of places. 

Here are a few of them. French Drain Installation along foundations near walls –  Drain Installation behind retaining walls – French Drain Installation in and around flower beds –  Drain Installation in basements – French Drain Installation near sidewalks and along driveways –  Drain Installation under pool decks and around swimming pools

 Surface Drain Installation in sidewalks set in concrete – Surface Drain Installation in driveway set in concrete –

– Just what is a “French Drain?” 

French Drain next to Surface Drain

Surface Drain Next to 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,

and many times, is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.  It is long and narrow with a grate on top. Channel Drain installed in a sidewalk by a front door.

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 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.  

 

Large Water Volume

 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 drain.

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.

DECORATIVE STONE CAN BE USED TO COVER A FRENCH DRAIN AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND LAST A LIFETIME

Decorative French Drains, How to make a French Drain Look Good!

Posted: January 30, 2023 in french drain, French Drain Design, French Drain Repair
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HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH DRAIN LOOK GOOD!

French Drains are wonderful and helpful providing many benefits for many years when installed correctly.  I have installed French Drains as far back as 1993, That STILL WORK GREAT AND DO THEIR JOB!

This Blog does not focus on the details of Functionality or Longevity of French Drains, but how to make them look better.

This French Drain was installed in December 2022 in Mid-West City Oklahoma.  At First glance the gravel doesn’t look great, however putting Sod on top of the gravel is the worst thing you can do!  LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN!  DON’T PUT SOD OR DIRT ON TOP OF A FRENCH DRAIN!!

Covering a French Drain prevents Surface Water from going into the French Drainpipe which is underneath the pipe.

Imagine This for example:  Putting Sod or Dirt on top of a French Drain is the same as putting gas in your car by opening the gas cap and then pouring gas on the roof of your car.  A drop or two may find its way into the gas cap but the car won’t run. Well, the French Drain won’t work either.  So, what can you Do?

If your French Drain is in the sun and not in a shaded area, eventually grass will grow over the French Drain.

You may think that grass growing over a French Drain is the same as putting dirt over it, but that is not true at all.  Bermuda grass puts out runners that cover the gravel.  It is like netting.  It becomes what I have termed, “A Thatch Filter”.  The “Thatch Filter” helps keep the water clean that goes into the French Drain.

Think about this! Water Goes through the ” Thatch Filter,” Through the “Gravel,” Through the “Trench Liner,” and Finally Through the “Pipe Filter,” into the perforated French Drainpipe.

In my opinion, this makes the French Drain maintenance free INDEFINITELY!  I have installed French Drains in this manner that have been working great for 30 years this year.  I installed my first French Drain in 1993.

The problem is, If the French Drain is in the shade of if the soil is poor, Grass will never grow over it.  Streaks of gravel in your yard won’t look very nice, right!

Imagination and Artistic Creativity are the answer.  Dress up your French Drain.  As long as You don’t restrict the water flow put something decorative on top of the French Drain.  The following are pictures of just a Few things we have done over the last 30 Years.

Building a Decorative French Drain

Building a Decorative French Drain

 

 

Completed Decorative French Drain

Completed Decorative French Drain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEFORE

Installing french drain

Installing French Drain Under Walkway

AFTER

French Drains in Norman Oklahoma, Norman Oklahoma French Drain Repair, Drain Repair, Drain Installation

Posted: February 24, 2021 in Drain Installation, french drain, French Drain In Norman, French Drain Information, French Drain Repair, French Drains in Norman Oklahoma
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French Drains in Norman Oklahoma. The Central focus for Oklahoma Drainage   is French Drain Installation. We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes – Sprinkler Head Adjustment – Sprinkler Valve Replacement

We provide Service for Folks in: Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Moore.

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

French Drain Installation is what we specialize in.  Since 1993 we have installed over 2000 French Drains or Drainage Systems in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage 

 

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman
Drainage System Installation in Norman

It’s Not a Surface Drain

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times, people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,” to apply to many different types of Drains.   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.

Storm-Water 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 Drain Pipe to an exit point.

THIS IS NOT A FRENCH DRAIN!

Surface Drain Connection

Surface Drain connected to a Transition Pipe

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.

Channel 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 like a gutter with a Grate on top.  It needs to be set in concrete.

channel drain installation

Patio Channel Drain Installation

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drainpipe in the bottom of a drainage trench.  The Drainage Trench is dug across a low area that has standing water when it rains.  The French Drain Trench also can be used to intercept water moving downhill.  That water can be above ground and moving fast.  Belowground water can also be intercepted moving slowly downhill. 

The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.   This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged.

Trench Liner

A Trench Liner should also be used to line the trench before the perforated French Drainpipe is placed on top of it.  The Trench Liner lets water through to the perforated pipe.  M It is Semi-Permeable.  It maintains the integrity of the Drainage Trench over a long Period of time.  It also keeps the drain from clogging. 

 

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.    The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).

Installing Trench Liner for French Drain

Installing Trench Liner for 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 Downspouts connected to it. 

The Drawback of Fench Drains

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. 

A French Drain can be made to look Nice.  Steppingstones can be placed on top of a French Drain.  All types of Decorative Stone Can be used as well.

Building a Decorative French Drain

Building a Decorative French Drain

Completed Decorative French Drain

Completed Decorative French Drain

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

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.

DECORATIVE STONE CAN BE USED TO COVER A FRENCH DRAIN AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND LAST A LIFETIME.

 

Blanchard Channel Drain Installation, Oklahoma City French Drain

Posted: February 11, 2021 in Channel Drain, Channel Drain Installation, Channel Drain Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Blanchard Channel Drain Installation, Oklahoma City French Drain

French Drain Installation, Drainage Systems, Surface Drain, Sump pumps, –

Standing Water on a Driveway or Sidewalk can be a real pain.  Stepping out of your car into standing water is no fun.  Many times, a channel drain can solve this kind of problem.

Channel Drains are usually set in concrete.   Many times standing water requires that a new drain be set in  concrete.  This requires that the concrete be cut and removed and a drain installed in its place with new concrete around the edges.

Channel drain along wall

Channel Drain Installed against wall

Obliviously Skill, Expertise, and Experience is required to make a big cut across a driveway or sidewalk.

Oklahoma Drainage

 

If a channel drain is installed correctly, it is very strong.  A car can be driven over it.

Channel drains are of two kinds, Metal or Composite.

Metal Channel drains can be Crome, Cast Iron, or Stainless Steel.

A Composite Channel Drain is made up of very tough plastic combinations.

Composite Channel Drains seem to be the most durable and easiest to service.

Oklahoma City Channel Drain

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

Channel Drain Installation is a primary focus for Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.  We have been installing Channel Drains as part of Drainage Systems since 1993.   We also install Surface Drains, French Drains, and Sump Pumps to fit our customer’s needs.

NDS Grey Composite Channel Drain Running Across Driveway Connected to 4 Inch ADS Solid Drain Pipe

NDS Grey Channel Drain Running Across Driveway
in Edmond

Channel Drain Installation Is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We have been Installing Channel Drains set in Concrete since 1993.

Channel Drain Set in Concrete

Channel Drains can look great and be very functional and durable.

However, A Channel Drain is not an easy thing to install!  It takes a great deal of precision, Experience, and Attention to Detail.  This is Definitely Not something to allow your Landscape Company to attempt, or your Brother-In-Law!

Just because someone is skilled at pushing a mower around, doesn’t mean you should let them cut across your driveway with a concrete saw.

I get a lot of business fixing and replacing Drains of all types that were installed incorrectly by landscape companies and armatures.  Typically, they stick to messing up French Drains, but I have fixed Channel Drains that were an absolute “Train Wreck!” as well.

 

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419

French Drain Installation, Channel Drain Installation Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation, 

 

 

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage 

Before

cutting the driveway for a channel drain

Breaking out the cut concrete

After

channel drain driveway

 

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.

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

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 2000 Drainage Systems installed since 1993, we have amassed a great deal of experience.  This is help full in seeing underlying problems and secondary issues that may be hard to see at first for the ” Untrained Eye.”  This allows us to get things right the first time.  In this business

EXPERIENCE TRULY COUNTS!

Hiring your brother-in-law to put in your Drainage System or French Drain is as bad as hiring a Lawn mowing company that does landscaping and drains too?  Water can cause a huge amount of damage.  How important is your money and your home?

Is this your yard?

This is a great place for a French Drain

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

designs and installs Drainage Systems.  Water Drainage is a big concern to homeowners and small businesses. Standing Water from Storm-Water runoff can cause all kinds of problems.  Concrete in driveways, sidewalks, and foundations can be damaged.  Prolonged Drainage Problems allow mold to occur along with deterioration to plants, trees, and property.

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.

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

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.   

Crushed Limestone

The lime-stone 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.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain Every time.

French Drain
 

Large Water Volume

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 drain.
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.

DECORATIVE STONE CAN BE USED TO COVER A FRENCH DRAIN AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND LAST A LIFETIME.

 

 

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