Archive for the ‘French Drain Repair’ Category

Oklahoma City Lawn Sprinkler Repair

 

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.  Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair since 1993.

405 203 9419

Do you have a problem with your Sprinkler System?  If you live in Oklahoma City and have problems with your sprinkler heads or valves, we can help!  The problem might be your controller, or you have a leak of some kind.

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler Checkup Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Spring is just around the corner.  A Sprinkler Checkup might be what you need.

Sprinkler Repair is a Central focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We have been providing quality Sprinkler Repair Service since 1993.  During that time, we have completed every type of Sprinkler Repair in Oklahoma City.  Experience is key.  Oklahoma Drainage has completed sprinkler repairs in every major city in Central and Western Oklahoma.  We have visited many small towns too.

So, what type of Sprinkler Repair Do you need?

Back-Flow-Valve Service, Sprinkler Repair

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Provides Service for Back-Flow-Valves and all types of Lawn Sprinkler Repair and Service.  We have provided Expert Service for all of Central and Western Oklahoma Since 1993.

Back-Flow-Valves

There are two types of Back-Flow-Valves.

Above Ground

 

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

What is a Back-Flow-Valve?

A Back-Flow-Valve is a part of a Lawn Sprinkler System.  Water passes through it from the water source which can be a Water Meter or a Well Pump.  It forces water to travel in only one direction from the source to the sprinkler system.  It can’t travel backward back to the water source which again is a water meter or well pump.

A Back-Flow-Valve provides protection to the water source from back pressure and chemical contamination from lawn fertilizer.

Most Cities require a Back-Flow-Valve as “Code” for Sprinkler Installation.

Emergency Shut off

Back-Flow-Valves usually have an Emergency Shutoff valve on them that can shut off the water to the lawn sprinkler system but keep the water turned on to the home. Most Back-Flow-Valves have two Emergency Shut off Handles.  Either one will work.  Many times, they are hard to turn, however.

If there is a leak or water is shooting up in the air just turn the valve handle and give us a call.

In ground Back-Flow-Valve

Blue Emergency Shutoff handles for a Back-Flow-Valve.

Sprinkler Valve

A valve is an off or on switch for a particular Sprinkler Zone.

You might need a Sprinkler Valve replaced.  Maybe it just needs to be adjusted?  We can adjust the solenoid or “Bleed,” the valve itself.  Debris might be stuck in it.

What Is a Sprinkler Valve?

Think of a Sprinkler Valve as an “Off or on” Switch.    The Sprinkler Controller   turns the valves on or off.

It Sends a signal through a wire which is underground to the sprinkler valve somewhere in your yard.

Once turned on, the valve lets water pass through a sprinkler pipe to a specific group of sprinkler heads called a Sprinkler Zone.  The controller allows water to reach the sprinkler heads for a certain amount of time running through the sprinkler valve.  Once the time is up, it shuts off the sprinkler valve and moves on to the next valve in sequence.

Think of it as walking into every room in your house one at a time.  As you enter you turn on the light.  As you leave you turn off the light and move to the next room. You are the controller.  The light switch represents the sprinkler valve.

What causes a Sprinkler Valve to stop working?

Like anything else, a sprinkler valve can wear out.   Sprinkler valves fail in closed position.  It won’t run continuously if it breaks.

Sprinkler Valves get stuck while running sometimes.   The water supply must be then turned off to stop the Sprinkler from running.

Sprinkler Valves can freeze and break in the winter if the sprinkler system has not been properly drained for winter’s cold.

(winterized)

 

Sprinkler Head Adjustment

Many homeowners need sprinkler heads moved to a new location or caped if they are no longer needed.  A sprinkler head might be spraying in the wrong place.

 

Sprinkler Controllers also cause problems.  Setting the programming might be difficult for the Homeowner.  They can stop working correctly too.

Oklahoma Drainage can help with all of these problems and many others.  The problems listed above are the most common.

Sprinkler Controller Repair is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage.  A Sprinkler Controller is the “Brain,” of a Sprinkler System.  They can wear out or stop working.  Power surges in the home can cause damage to a controller.

Programming can be difficult for homeowners.  We can help with programming or replace a Sprinkler Module if it is defective.

Start Time Programming

“Start Time” programing many times is confusing for homeowners.  The definition of a Start Time is a time that is chosen for the sprinkler system to start watering.  It causes zone 1 to start running.  When zone 1 is finished it automatically stops and zone 2 begins.  When Zone 2 is complete it stops and zone 3 begins.  Simple enough Right!  This continues until the last zone programed available runs.

The confusion begins when people think that a time needs to be set to start zone 2 and 3 and so on.  This is not the case.  They follow zone 1 which has the only Start Time programmed into the controller.

Be Careful with Multiple Start Times, just use One at first.

Sprinkler Controllers have a feature providing multiple start times, up to 4 Start Times are usually available.  These additional start times are only used when a person wants to run the entire system more than once in a 24-hour period.

For Example, the first Start Time is set at 9Am.  Zone 1 begins to run at 9am.  When Zone 1 is done, say 10 minutes later, Zone 2 begins and runs for 10 minutes, then zone 3 follows and so on.  By 10 am let’s say all the zones have run.  Let’s say 8 hours later you have a second start time at 6 Pm.  Zone 1 comes on and runs and by 7pm all the zones have run again.  So, the controller has 2 start times which have caused the Sprinkler System to run start to finish twice in a 24-hour period.

The Big Problem

Here is the big problem!  Some Homeowners believe the second start time is to start zone 2 running.  They also think that the 3rd start time is to start zone 3 and the 4-start time is to run zone 4.  No!!

So, this is how they program the controller.  At 9am they have a start time and zone 1 starts.  The homeowner programs a second start time at 9:10 am to mistakenly start zone 2.  Nope!  It starts zone 1 all over again.  At 9:2o they have a 3rd start time for zone 3.  Nope!  It starts zone 1 for a third time.  Now the controller is stuck in a loop and zone 1 runs constantly and won’t shut off.

If Sprinkler Controller Programming is confusing?  Make sure you only have One Start Time!

“Run Time,” is completed Next.  It determines how long each zone runs.  Zone One 10 Minutes,     Zone Two, 15 Minutes, Zone Three 8 Minutes.  You can set how long you want each zone to run.

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 DrainsSurface DrainsChannel DrainsSump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler RepairExpert Sprinkler Repair for all Residential Lawn Sprinkler Systems

 

We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma

Since 1993 we have:

Fixed leaking sprinkler pipes in Edmond

Replaced Sprinkler Valves in Norman

Adjusted Sprinkler Heads in Oklahoma City

Installed A New Back Flow Valve in Lawton 

 over 2000 other Sprinkler Repairs in Central and Western Oklahoma.

Sprinkler Repair Oklahoma CityOklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Expert Service for Sprinkler Heads, Valves, Controllers and all other Sprinkler System difficulties.  We service Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, Blanchard, and Midwest City

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

had a call from a Blanchard Resident.  She had a trash truck back up into her yard.  Unfortunately, it was right on top of a rotor sprinkler head.  The Sprinkler Head was crushed as well as the sprinkler pipe underneath.  Water was pouring down the street when the sprinkler system ran.

While we were running the sprinkler system, we found that a sprinkler valve was sticking as well.  The one of the sprinkler zones was not shutting off.   So now we had two Sprinkler Repairs to perform.

Fixing the Broken Sprinkler Head and Replacing the broken sprinkler pipe underneath took a little while because the Sprinkler Pipe was up against the curb and the Sprinkler Pipe was hard to get to.  But after getting a little muddy, the Sprinkler Pipe was fixed, and the Sprinkler Head was replaced.

 

The Sprinkler Valve that was sticking was much easier to fix.  The bleed screw on the top of the Sprinkler Valve was loose.  It just needed to be tightened.  It only took a few seconds, and we did not charge anything for the Sprinkler Repair on the Sprinkler Valve.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been in business since 1993.  During that time we have serviced countless sprinkler systems all over Central and Western Oklahoma.  Give us a call for an estimate 405 203 9419

Things can go wrong with a sprinkler system

Sprinkler Repair is an ongoing issue for any sprinkler system.  Folks in Central Oklahoma are turning on their Sprinkler Systems and discovering problems.    We fixed several leaks in a Sprinkler System in Edmond.  The sprinkler pipes were leaking in several places.  Each leak had to be cut out and replaced.  The Sprinkler System was fairly new.  It was installed last summer by a Pool Company that also installs cheap sprinkler systems.

All the joints in the sprinkler pipes were glued together with clear PVC Cement.  That part is OK, But they cut some corners and didn’t use PVC Primer with the glue.  As a result, the joints didn’t bond very well and many of them blew apart this spring when the sprinkler systems was turned on.  (Thus, all the leaks) I suspect we will have to go back several times to fix additional leaks.  We can only warranty the PVC joints that we have replaced.   Cheaper isn’t always better.

Today we did a sprinkler repair in Norman.  The sprinkler system needed a checkup.  We went through each sprinkler zone and identified several different problems.  Zone 2 had a cracked sprinkler pipe in a flower bed and Zone 4 had a broken sprinkler rotor on the edge of the driveway that had been driven over and broken.   We found that Zone 6 and 7 each had a couple of pop-up spray heads that were worn out and would not pop-up.  The diagnosis and the repair took less than two hours.  Now their sprinkler system is running great!

Recently we fixed a sprinkler system that was poorly installed.

 

 

 

 

Oh! we also solve water problems and provide Drainage.

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, consider a Channel Drain Installation.

If you live in Edmond and have water flooding your basement, a Sump Pump can help.

Or, 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!

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 DrainsSurface DrainsChannel Drains Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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” Moves “surface water” away from a low-lying problem drainage area. What flows over the ground.  Sub surface water  which runs underground is not considered when a drainage system is being installed.  People only think about what they can see and don’t think much about what they can’t see.

channel drain driveway
Channel Drain set in Driveway is one type of Surface Drain

Sub Surface water is water that is underground and saturated in the soil.  Just like water above ground (Surface Water) moves.  Water under ground moves too and is a very big part of any drainage problem.

Water flows over the surface into the area that floods and is a problem.  A big mistake that is made be the casual eye, is that all the water in a swampy problem area got there by running over the surface.  Yes, it probably did, but it also got there by moving there underground as well.  This is called SUB SURFACE WATER MOVEMENT, and it is important to any kind of Drainage System that might be installed.

If your problem water is partially Sub-Surface water, and you install a Drainage System that uses Surface Drains only, then you just wasted a lot of money!

Surface Drain install
Surface Drain Installed by sidewalk

Water can only be drained away that is on the surface.  It goes into the top of the Drain on the Surface.  It’s Name is ” A Surface Drain.”  It Drains Surface Water ONLY!

A French Drain can drain Surface water and Sub Surface water both.  It water is in the problem area by means of Sub – Surface movement, then it will enter the French Drain Laterally, under ground,  and be drained away along with the surface water.

New French Drain
French Drain with very little fall

When Installing a Drainage System, What kind of Drain Pipe do you use and what size Drain Pipe Do you need?

For a Drainage System you have 3 Choices of Drain Pipe.  You can use ADS,  Or Sewer and Drain, or Thick Walled Pvc Pipe.

ADS is Black and Flexible.  It is used in a majority of Drainage Systems.  It works well and is the easiest to install.

 

connecting down spout

Connecting Gutter Down Spout to French Drain Under Sidewalk

Covering

Covering ADS Drain Pipe

ADS is available in 3 inch , 4 inch, and 6 inch for residential and small business Drainage Applications.

Sewer and Drain Pipe is white, green, or grey and is thin walled.  It is used for cheap plumbing applications such as sewer lines.  It is also used for inexpensive Drainage Systems.  A Drainage System using Sewer and Drain Pipe is slightly cheaper than ADS.   It is rigid and harder to install than ADS. It takes more time to install and more digging is required at the joints or connections.  It is very difficult attaching a rigid Drain Pipe to a Curb outlet because the Pipe does not flex at the connection.  The pipe hits the curb outlet at a downward angle and does line up straight with the connection.  Many Drain Installation Companies use a piece of ADS on the end of the Sewer and Drain pipe and then connect it to the curb outlet.  Many times there is no other way to connect them depending on your downward slope.

 

Sewer and Drain

Green or White Sewer and Drain Pipe

Sewer and Drain is brittle after a short amount of time.  You can break it with a hammer.   Tree roots, many times squeeze the pipe and crack it causing it to leak.   It is not a good long term solution for anything.

Old Sewer and Drain Pipe

Old Sewer and Drain Pipe

Thick walled PVC is superior to ADS and Sewer and Drain.  It will last a lifetime.  It won’t crack under normal circumstances.

That being said, It is The most difficult of all to install.  It is not for weekend warriors or your brother-in-law who says he knows what he is doing.  Someone with a lot of experience is needed to install a Thick Walled PVC Drainage System.

SD and 40 schedule

40 Schedule PVC Drain Pipe on the right, Sewer and Drain on the left.

Oh, by the way, 40 Schedule or 200 Class PVC is by far the most expensive.

If money is no object, then absolutely hire an Expert to install a Thick walled PVC System.

There are two types of Thick Walled Pvc Pipe available for Drainage Systems, 40 Schedule and 200 class.

Forty Schedule is always the same thickness at a particular size pipe.

Two Hundred Class gets thicker as the pipe gets bigger.

Forty Schedule is thicker in pipes smaller than 2 inch.

Two hundred Class is thicker in pipes over 2 inch.

Typically 4 inch pipe is most commonly used in a Drainage Systems.  Forty Schedule and 200 Class are both very good in the 4 inch Size.

 

The size of Drainpipe

you use in your Drainage System is fairly simple.  You can use 3 Inch, 4 Inch, or 6 Inch.  Sometimes 2 inch can be used on a small single drain but it is easily overwhelmed by too much water.

Four Inch, as stated earlier is the most common size used in a Drainage System.

If your system is a Drainage System and not a Flood Prevention System, then 4 Inch Should be fine for most applications.

If your drainage system must handle a lot of water in a hurry and is designed intercept water to protect property then two 4 inch pipes may be needed or one 6 inch Pipe.  It can vary.

In 2015 we installed a Flood Prevention System that had two 6 inch pipes in the same trench.  Our customer never had water in her garage again.

If you can afford larger Drainpipe or more than one Drainpipe in the same trench, your Drainage System should do its job well.

If you connect 5 large Surface Drains to one small 3 inch pipe, be prepared for poor performance.  I’ve seen a large French Drain connected to a 3 inch pipe.  The water shot out of the exit point like a cannon and the problem drainage area stayed flooded for a long time.

I try not to use 3 inch at all for a Drainage System and I am very careful not to attach too large or too many drains to 4 inch.

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

Surface Drains look nice but they have limited applications.  They must be installed in situations that they are designed for.  Surface Water only in smaller volume applications.  Surface Drains don’t move as much water as French Drains.

Leaking Pipe Repair

 

Sprinkler pipes may leak for many reasons.  Pipes that are too shallow can freeze and break during the cold of winter.  Repair of PVC Sprinkler pipe in cold temperatures can be difficult.  Frozen Ground is difficult to dig up to get to the damaged pipe.  PVC Glue and Primer don’t bond very well in temperatures that are low.  Even using “Hot Glue,” which is designed to be used in cold temperatures doesn’t always produce the best results.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can provide the necessary expertise to handle difficult sprinkler repairs.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Expert Service for Sprinkler Heads, Valves, Controllers and all other Sprinkler System difficulties.  We service Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, and Midwest City.

 

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

Check out Sprinkler System Check-Up

 

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

405 203 9419

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

Sprinkler Controller Repair is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage.  A Sprinkler Controller is the “Brain,” of a Sprinkler System.  They can wear out or stop working.  Power surges in the home can cause damage to a controller.

Programming can be difficult for homeowners.  We can help with programming or replace a Sprinkler Module if it is defective.

Start Time Programming

“Start Time” programing many times is confusing for homeowners.  The definition of a Start Time is a time that is chosen for the sprinkler system to start watering.  It causes zone 1 to start running.  When zone 1 is finished it automatically stops and zone 2 begins.  When Zone 2 is complete it stops and zone 3 begins.  Simple enough Right!  This continues until the last zone programed available runs.

The confusion begins when people think that a time needs to be set to start zone 2 and 3 and so on.  This is not the case.  They follow zone 1 which has the only Start Time programmed into the controller.

Be Careful with Multiple Start Times, just use One at first.

Sprinkler Controllers have a feature providing multiple start times, up to 4 Start Times are usually available.  These additional start times are only used when a person wants to run the entire system more than once in a 24-hour period.

For Example, the first Start Time is set at 9Am.  Zone 1 begins to run at 9am.  When Zone 1 is done, say 10 minutes later, Zone 2 begins and runs for 10 minutes, then zone 3 follows and so on.  By 10 am let’s say all the zones have run.  Let’s say 8 hours later you have a second start time at 6 Pm.  Zone 1 comes on and runs and by 7pm all the zones have run again.  So, the controller has 2 start times which have caused the Sprinkler System to run start to finish twice in a 24-hour period.

Here is the big problem!  Some Homeowners believe the second start time is to start zone 2 running.  They also think that the 3rd start time is to start zone 3 and the 4-start time is to run zone 4.  No!!

So, this is how they program the controller.  At 9am they have a start time and zone 1 starts.  The homeowner programs a second start time at 9:10 am to mistakenly start zone 2.  Nope!  It starts zone 1 all over again.  At 9:2o they have a 3rd start time for zone 3.  Nope!  It starts zone 1 for a third time.  Now the controller is stuck in a loop and zone 1 runs constantly and won’t shut off.

If Sprinkler Controller Programming is confusing?  Make sure you only have One Start Time!

“Run Time,” is completed Next.  It determines how long each zone runs.  Zone One 10 Minutes,     Zone Two, 15 Minutes, Zone Three 8 Minutes.  You can set how long you want each zone to run.

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.

 

We started with the Valves

The Sprinkler Valves were located in the back yard near the pool.  Six valves were located in one place.  They were very tightly connected in one Manifold.  None of the Sprinkler Valves had worked in a long time.  They were Toro Valves that were over 20 years old.  They all had to be replaced.

Surprisingly there was no shut-off valve for the Sprinkler Water.  The water had to be shut off at the Meter so we could install a Manual Shut off valve.  Once installed, the water was turned back on that ran to the house.   The water that ran to the Sprinkler System was shut off with our New Shut Off Valve.

The Sprinkler Valves Were Removed

Now, the 6 valves had to replaced.  The valves that were used were made by Rain Bird.  Before we began, I had to talk to the Customer.  The previous valve design was a bad idea to repeat.

The original Sprinkler Valves were crammed into one large valve box in one very tight manifold.  This is bad because the valves were too close to the fittings.  Simply put, if one valve had to be replaced or worked on in the future, all 6 valves had to be taken out and replaced.   If one valve was bad and 5 worked fine, they all still had to be replaced.

That’s Stupid!

I recommended that an additional Valve Box be installed putting 3 valves in each Valve Box.  This would allow plenty of space between the valve fittings.  If one Sprinkler Valve had to be adjusted or replaced in the future, the other 5 valves need not be disturbed.  Simple Enough!

Check For Leaks

Once the valves were replaced and working, it was time to turn on each Sprinkler Zone, one at a time.  Water was shooting up from the ground in several places in zone 1.  Two broken Sprinkler Pipes and 5 bad Sprinkler Heads in zone 1 had to be fixed and replaced.  We went through each of the 6 zones in similar fashion fixing lots of leaks and replacing bad sprinkler heads.

The Sprinkler Repair Cost About Half of the Cost of Completely New System.

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.

Sprinkler Head Adjustment is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.  We have adjusted sprinkler heads since 1993.

Many times, Sprinkler heads get, “Out of Wack.”  Lawn mowers and weed eaters are notorious for this.  Sprinkler heads start spraying water in the wrong place.  It is frustrating to water concrete while plants and grass go without moisture.

Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads

Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads can be adjusted several ways.  How far water goes to the left or right can be increased or decreased.  The distance the water goes can also be increased or decreased.  Finally, how high a sprinkler head pops up can be increased or decreased by installing a taller or shorter head.

Sometimes sprinkler heads spray a reduced distance and don’t perform very well due to water scale.  Minerals in the water can completely clog a Pop-Up.  Usually, the sprinkler nozzle on top of the sprinkler head, need only be replaced without replacing the entire head.

Rotor Sprinkler Heads also can be adjusted to the left or right.  Spray Distance can be increased or decreased as well.

Needs Change

What’s going on in your yard can change.  This calls for Sprinkler Head Adjustment.  Adding or removing a swimming pool changes everything concerning sprinkler heads.  Any number of things can change the necessary sprinkler head coverage.

 

 

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

Check out Sprinkler System Check-Up

 

 

French Drain under river rock

 

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 DrainsSurface DrainsChannel DrainsSump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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, 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.  

 

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

two French Drain

Two French Drains coming together

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

   

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Installs Surface Drains and French Drains.  Some times it is up hill in all directions from the Problem Drainage Area.  This problem can be solved by installing a Sump Pump.  When the cavity fills, the water is pumped away to the point where the water exits the drain which can be a curb outlet or a pop-up emitter.

Sump Pump Installation
Sump Pump Installation

 

new curb outlet

Curb outlet with more than 6 inches of fall

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

French Drain with stepping stones

WHAT SIZE DRAINPIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

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 and Sprinkler Repair install 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. Channel Drain Installed by CMG In Yukon

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide Drainage Diagnostics. 

A Drainage Diagnostic is a scheduled appointment where we come out and look at your Drainage Problem and get your input on the situation. 

We look at all the variables

that are causing your Water-Runoff Problems and design a Drainage System to solve it.  French Drains and Surface Drains are used to make up the Drainage System.

Channel Drain Installation in sidewalk in Oklahoma City
Channel Drain Installation in sidewalk in Oklahoma City

Typically, many things must be considered when completing a Drainage Diagnostic.

1.  Identify the areas being damaged by water and determine if there are any hidden areas.

2.  Identify the sources of water causing the damage.  Most Drainage Problems have more than one source.  A water source can fall from the sky as rain, or can flow down the hill as storm-water runoff, or can flow from a gutter down-spout (yours or your neighbor’s),  or flow under ground as sub-surface water flow, or water can flow off a sidewalk, driveway, or street.  (These are the most common)

3.  Identify the Exit Point by determining where we want to take the unwanted water.

4.  Determine what type of Drains can best solve the Drainage Problem.  We utilize: French Drains Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, and Sump Pumps.

5.  Determine what type and size of Drainpipe is needed to accommodate the volume of water to be drained.  Larger is always better!  Big Drains with Small Drainpipes never works!

If you have problems with Standing Water after a hard rain, or your driveway or sidewalk turns into a moat after a thunderstorm, or worst of all, you have water standing against your foundation and seeping into your house and vents, Give us a Call! 

TYPICALLY, A DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FOUNDATION REPAIR OR REMOVING MOLD FROM YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS!!

 

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

Do you have a French Drain that isn’t working very well?  Are your Surface Drains sitting under a big pool of water.  Is the water just sitting there?

Give Oklahoma Drainage a call!  405 203 9419

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 DrainsSurface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.  We also provide French Drain Repair.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

Oklahoma is famous for its powerful thunderstorms and heavy downpours. Storm-water runoff causes a variety of DRAINAGE PROBLEMS for Home and Business owners.

DRAINAGE PROBLEMS come in a wide variety of forms. You might have water standing in your backyard after a thunderstorm. Water from your gutter-downspouts may be turning your sidewalk into a “Moat.” Or, worst of all, Standing Water may be seeping into your home. WE can help!

 

Drainage solutions sometime require one or several types of drains to solve the problem.   Oklahoma Drainage can diagnose your Drainage Problem and provide an answer.

Sump and French Drain
Sump Pump connected to French drain

 

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

 

new curb outlet

Curb outlet with more than 6 inches of fall

Standing Water

Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and grass.

Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t have gutters, or does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a heavy rain, or worst of all, does water seep into your foundation and duct work after a thunderstorm.  These are just a few of the Drainage Problems that Oklahoma Drainage can help with.

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 BasinStorm-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 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.

 

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.

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.    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).  

Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

A Trench Liner and a Pipe Filter should be used when installing any French Drain.  The Trench Liner keeps the Gravel Clean and maintains the integrity of the Drainage Trench. 

The Pipe Filter keeps the French Drainpipe from becoming clogged.  Below is a picture of Both.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

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

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 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.  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.

 

 

French Drain Installation is a central focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We have been installing them since 1993.  Oklahoma Drainage services all of Central and Western Oklahoma

 

Oklahoma Drainage – x    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!

Do you have water standing in the WRONG place when it rains?  Is water standing – Up against your fence – On your driveway – In your yard – Or worst of all – Seeping into your House?

Oklahoma Drainage can help!  We will Diagnose the problem and design a DRAINAGE SYSTEM JUST FOR YOU.

 

Recently Oklahoma Drainage Installed a French Drain as part of a Drainage System in Mid-West City Oklahoma.

Our customer had a back porch Sunroom.  Every time he had a hard rain, Water would run in one door and out the other.  An indoor creek across his Sunroom.

Installing A French Drain

We installed a French Drain in front of the South Door.  It was 26 feet long and ran from a gutter downspout which it was connected to, in front of the South Door and along the house covering the entire “Low” Area.  Then we connected 4 inch ADS Solid Drain pipe to the French Drain and ran down hill around the corner of the house to the street.

 

 

Channel Drain

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

Once the 4-inch solid drainpipe was connected to the French Drain and the two gutter down spouts, a pop-up emitter was installed to release the water at the street.

The next step was to cover the drain pipe with dirt and put the sod back in place on top of the pipe.   There was about 8 wheelbarrows of dirt left over that was displaced by the drain pipe and the French Drain.  The extra dirt was scooped up and hauled away.

Moving Sprinkler Heads

While installing the drainage system, it was necessary to move two sprinkler heads that were in the way of the drain pipe installation.  This was no problem.  Installing drainage systems and French Drains for folks who have a sprinkler system is very common.  Moving Sprinkler heads or pipes sometimes is necessary.  We always leave the sprinkler system in complete working order and we discuss any changes in the sprinkler system with the customer before we do it to make sure that everyone is on the same page.  In most cases the customer can’t tell that we made any changes to the sprinkler system at all.

french drain pipe in trench
French Drain Trench
French Drain Trench
French Drain Trench
Stepping stone french drain
Stepping Stone French Drain
French Drain Potential
A Good Place For a French Drain

 

Norman French Drains

Norman French Drain 

French Drains can be decorative and look nice

 

 

Here is an area that desperately needs a French Drain!

muddy french drain installation

Installing a French Drain in the mud

If you have something that looks like this you need a French Drain.

Standing water can cause a lot of damage to your yard.  The above picture was from a French Drain Installation in Mustang

Fescue without standing water

Two Months after French Drain Install

Many times we wait until things dry out a bit before beginning a French Drain Installation.  Some times the water never goes away.  So we start digging in standing water and putting the mud in a wheelbarrow.   We then haul it to a dump trailer to be hauled away.  It isn’t the easiest thing to do.

Drainage Trench

The water started draining away as soon as we dug the Drainage Trench.  Once the Pipe and Limestone were installed, it drained away even faster.

The trench liner allows sub surface water to pass through it and reach the French Drainpipe.  The reason it is installed is to maintain the integrity of the drainage trench so it doesn’t collapse over time.  It also helps protect the pipe from filling up with mud or sand, clogging the French Drain.

Below is a picture of a French Drain that we had to take out and replace because it had no liner or filter around the Pipe.

clogged French Drain Pipe

result of French Drain Installed Incorrectly

French Drains need a Trench Liner and a Pipe Filter or they will clog up and quit working.  I have Installed French Drains that are 30 years old now and still work great!

French Drain Installation

French drain Installation
with trench liner and pipe filter

Installing French Drain

 

Trench Liner

The French Drain Pipe shown above has a neo Preen soc around it to prevent sand and debris from clogging the French Drain.  The next step is to add the lime stone on top.

Other types of stone can be used as well.

colored gravel french drain

French Drain with colored gravel.’

 

FD River roc

A French Drain with River Rock

The type of rock that covers a perforated French Drain Pipe can be just about any type of quality gravel or crushed stone.  Very small crushed stone or sand is not a good idea, however.  The water must be able to flow through the stone to reach the perforated pipe.

Gutter to French Drain
Connecting Gutter to French Drain
French Drain with stepping stones
French Drain with stepping stones

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

6 Inch French Drain
6 Inch French Drain

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

    Sprinkler Repair for all aspects of Residential Sprinkler Systems

    Emergency Sprinkler Repair Service, AFTER HOURS AND WEEKENDS.

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, Sprinkler Repair, with 26 years of experience. 

Drainage Trench

Trench For French Drain

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

French Drain can protect your foundation!

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

 

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.

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.

Drain Pipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

French Drain Pipe under sidewalk

SPRINKLER REPAIRDRAINAGE SYSTEMS FRENCH DRAINSPRINKLER ADJUSTMENTSURFACE DRAIN EMERGENCY SPRINKLER REPAIR

 

.

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

 

If you live in Oklahoma City and need a French Drain installed in your yard, or along your driveway, or near your foundation, give CMG a call.  If you live in Edmond or Norman and need a Surface Drain installed in the concrete in your sidewalk or driveway, we can help.  If you live in Mustang or Yukon and would like to protect your trees or flower beds from standing water with a French Drain, CMG specializes in just that!

 

 

 

If you have water standing in your backyard.  If you have water standing on your driveway.  If water is leaking into your air conditioning vents.  We can help with all these problems and many more.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps.

If you have water in the wrong place, call us for a free Estimate.

Gutter to French Drain
Connecting Gutter to French Drain
Installed French Drain
French Drain Installed, Water is gone, just need to clean the mud off the sidewalk
Drainage System Installation, Gutter Down Spouts Connected.
Drainage System Installation, Gutter Down Spouts Connected.

A Drainage System can protect your property from standing water.

“Oklahoma City French Drain Installation, Oklahoma City French Drain Repair

French Drains, French Drains, French Drains,  Yes we install French Drains!

Oklahoma Drainage  Servicing Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993. 

We also Install Surface Drains, which make up 6-inch, 9 inch and 12-inch basins. 

 Channel Drain Installation Across Driveways and Sidewalks Is a big part of our business.

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Sump Pumps to solve difficult drainage issues as well.

connecting down spout

Connecting Gutter Down Spout to French Drain Under Sidewalk

channel drain driveway
Channel Drain set in Driveway

Standing Water

Standing Water on Your Driveway?  A Surface Drain set in concrete may be what you need. Or maybe you need a French Drain Running alongside your driveway instead.  Handling water problems is what we are good at.  If you need help, Oklahoma Drainage can provide the best solution for your unwanted water problems.

standing water
A good place for a French Drain

Yukon French Drain

We just finished a 4 inch Drainage System in Yukon.  It was a complicated system to install.  It utilized 4 inch French Drain in the flower beds,  12 inch Surface Drains on the side of the house,  6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters in the back yard and 3 Curb Fittings in the front.    First we installed 4 inch French Drain in the flowerbeds on both sides of the front door.  We connected 4 inch solid Drain Pipe into the French Drain and ran them underside walk to the curb.  Next, we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed 3 curb outlets for 3 separate French Drains.

french drain on fence
French Drain Installed in Yukon

Next we installed 4 12 Inch Drain Basins with grates along both sides of the house continuing with Solid Drain Pipe to the Pop-Up Emitters on the back fence. Finally we completed the Drainage System by installing a long run of 6 inch French Drain down the side of the garage foundation.   Installing the French Drains in the flower beds was the most difficult and took the most time.  Each French Drain took over a ton of crushed limestone to fill the French Drain trench.  The Six-inch French Drain took even more limestone.

 Oklahoma Drainage –

Hey Oklahoma, We are expanding to service all of Western Oklahoma as well as Central Oklahoma.  If you live in Elk City, and need a French rain, we can help.  If water is standing on your driveway in Clinton, Give us a call.  Duncan, Lawton, and Altus are all new areas of service for us.

Since 1993 Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has solved all types of standing water and drainage issues.  We install Drainage Systems that utilize French Drains, Surface, Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps depending on the customers needs.

If you have water in the wrong place, we can help!

French Drains as part of a Drainage System – 

cutting concrete for channel drain
Cutting Driveway for Channel Drain

 

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!

surface drain in corner
Surface Drain

A French Drain looks like this

river rock french drain
A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

French Drain Benefits

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.

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.

New French Drain
New French Drain

French Drain Installation In Yukon

Standing Water 

Standing Water on Your Driveway?  A Surface Drain set in concrete may be what you need. Or maybe you need a French Drain Running alongside your driveway instead.  Handling water problems is what we are good at.  If you need help, Oklahoma Drainage can provide the best solution for your unwanted water problems.

standing water
A good place for a French Drain

We just finished a 4 inch Drainage System in Yukon.  It was a complicated system to install.  It utilized 4 inch French Drain in the flower beds,  12 inch Surface Drains on the side of the house,  6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters in the back yard and 3 Curb Fittings in the front.    First we installed 4 inch French Drain in the flowerbeds on both sides of the front door.  We connected 4 inch solid Drain Pipe into the French Drain and ran them underside walk to the curb.  Next we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed 3 curb outlets for 3 separate French Drains.

Next we installed 4 12 Inch Drain Basins with grates along both sides of the house continuing with Solid Drain Pipe to the Pop-Up Emitters on the back fence. Finally, we completed the Drainage System by installing a long run of 6 inch French Drain down the side of the garage foundation.   Installing the French Drains in the flower beds was the most difficult and took the most time.  Each French Drain took over a ton of crushed limestone to fill the French Drain trench.  The Six inch French Drain took even more limestone.

 Oklahoma Drainage Now Servicing Elk City

Hey Oklahoma, We are expanding to service all of Western Oklahoma as well as Central Oklahoma.  If you live in Elk City, and need a French Drain, we can help.  If water is standing on your driveway in Clinton, Give us a call.  Duncan, Lawton, and Altus are all new areas of service for us.

Since 1993 Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has solved all types of standing water and drainage issues.  We install Drainage Systems that utilize French Drains, Surface, Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps depending on the customers needs.

If you have water in the wrong place, we can help!

We also have Decades of experience repairing all types of Lawn Sprinkler Problems.  Fixing broken sprinkler heads, sprinkler valve problems and controller trouble just to name a few things.

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!

surface drain in corner
Surface Drain

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.

Standing Water

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 connect to drain
Gutter Downspout Connected to 6 Inch French Drain

French Drain In a Rest Home

Recently we installed a French Drain inside the courtyard of a rest home in Norman.  We had several interesting challenges to overcome that were not typical for a French Drain Installation

The courtyard was in the center of the home and was a secure area for the patrons.  We had to put down painters’ tarps to run our wheelbarrows over. 

We took out 44 loads of dirt and brought in 52 loads of Crushed one inch limestone for the French Drain.  Each trip was over a hundred yards from the trailer in the parking lot, in the front door, down the hall, making two turns along the way.

  Each time we had to be escorted by security.  Needless to say, the installation of this particular drainage system took a while. In the above picture, the French Drain runs along the low area crossing all the areas where water would stand each time it rained.

Rest home french drain
French Drain in Rest Home Courtyard

When a French Drain is installed, a big mistake that is made by many people is to cover up the gravel with dirt.  This is a big mistake.  Basically it is ” Putting the cork back in the bottle.”  If the French Drain is in full sun and has a type of grass surrounding it that spreads on its own such a ” Tift” or “Bermuda” , Grass will grow over it and the French Drain will eventually disappear.  Grass covering a French Drain is a good thing if it grows across the drain without adding dirt.  The Grass thatch acts a water filter preventing clogging and extending the life of the Drainage System.

French Drain in Full Shade

When a French Drain is in Full Shade, or the surrounding grass will not spread on its own, such as with Fescue,  other steps must be taken.  One option is to just leave it alone.  If you don’t mind how it looks, it will drain a large amount of water for many years.  Many times a French Drain can be a landscaping focal point.  They can be dressed up with all kinds of Rocks and Stones and Plants.

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times people incorrectly A French Drain can protect your foundation!

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 Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe

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 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.

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.  

French Drain Design

 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 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 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.

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.

 

French Drains Surface DrainsSump Pumps

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

muddy french drain installation
Installing a French Drain in the mud
Installed French Drain

French Drain Installed, Water is gone, just need to clean the mud off the sidewalk

Standing water can cause a lot of damage to your yard.  The above picture was from a French Drain Installation in Oklahoma City.

Many times we wait until things dry out a bit before beginning a French Drain Installation.  Some times the water never goes away.  So we start digging in standing water and putting the mud in a wheelbarrow.   We then haul it to a dump trailer to be hauled away.  It isn’t the easiest thing to do.

Liner and French dran
Perforated Pipe, Filter , and Liner installed in a drainage trench.
New French Drain

French Drain Dries out the whole area

The water started draining away as soon as we dug the Drainage Trench.  Once the Pipe and Limestone were installed, it drained away even faster.

The trench liner allows sub surface water to pass through it and reach the French Drain Pipe.  The reason it is installed is to maintain the integrity of the drainage trench so it doesn’t collapse over time.  It also helps protect the pipe from filling up with mud or sand, clogging the French Drain.

Below is a picture of a French Drain that we had to take out and replace because it had no liner or filter around the Pipe.

clogged French Drain Pipe
result of French Drain Installed Incorrectly
new french drain
French Drain Installation
Installing concrete channel drain
Setting the concrete around the channel drain

The French Drain Pipe shown above has a neo Preen soc around it to prevent sand and debris from clogging the French Drain.  The next step is to add the lime stone on top.

french drain near a fence
French Drain Installed in Edmond

Other types of stone can be used as well.

colored gravel french drain
French Drain with colored gravel.’

French Drain 

Drainage System Installation is a big part of our business.  If you have trouble with standing water after a thunderstorm, or if your sidewalk turns into a moat every time it rains, or worst of all you have water seeping into your home, Give us a call.  We can quickly diagnose your Drainage problems and design a Drainage System to solve your Drainage Problems. WE  utilize,  French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain 

This year Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has addressed many standing water problems and drainage issues for residents and business owners of Oklahoma.  On one occasion, we installed a Surface Drain in the middle of a driveway.  After a rain, water was standing in front of the garage and would flow under the door when it got too deep.  We cut the driveway, Installed the Surface Drain, and replaced the cement.  Problem Solved.

Another Drainage Problem involved installing a Sump Pump in a basement floor.  The basement would flood after a hard rain.  Again, Problem solved!

Harsh weather in Oklahoma seems to becoming more common.  In 2013,  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.

Drains can protect your home and property from water damage.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs a wide variety of Drains in many different places.  A Drain or Group of Drains with Drain Pipe going to an exit point is a “Drainage System.”

 

French Drain Repair

Over time a French Drain may start to perform poorly.  It may quit working entirely.  This is due to many possible reasons.

Tree roots may be the issue.  Dirt may clog the perforated pipe.  The French Drainpipe may have become damaged as well.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been Servicing and Repairing French Drains since 1993.  Over time almost everything needs service.

 

In the past 33 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.

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 behind retaining walls –  in and around flower beds –  in basements –  near sidewalks and along driveways –  pool decks and around swimming pools – on hillsides and on slopes to protect building and homes –

Surface Drain Installation

in sidewalks set in concrete –  in driveway set in concrete –  on side of house to catch water from gutter downspout – in basement with Sump Pump inside to pump out the water – in low spot in yard to handle a moderate amount of water – next to driveway to catch water run-off –  next to sidewalk to catch water run-off – connected to gutter down-spout –

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 BasinStormwater 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.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

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

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.

ads 4inch 6 inch

ADS Drainpipe, 6 Inch on the left, 4 Inch on the right.

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).  

Trench Liner

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.

 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.

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 LONG TIME.

Sump Pump Service

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Surface Drains and French Drains.  Sometimes it is up hill in all directions from the Problem Drainage Area.  This problem can be solved by installing a Sump Pump.  When the cavity fills, the water is pumped away to the point where the water exits the drain which can be a curb outlet or a pop-up emitter.

Two Sizes of Sump Pumps

Pump Size refers to how powerful it is not how physically large it is.  For Home or Small Business use a 1/3 Horse or a 1/2 Horse Works Best.  Larger Pumps such as a 1 Horse Pump must be ordered by a supplier and must be Hard Wired to 220 voltage by an electrician.

 

Sump Pump Installation
Sump Pump Installation

 

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

French Drain with stepping stones

WHAT SIZE DRAINPIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone
French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can utilize several types and sizes of French Drainpipe.  An older type that is not commonly used any more is 4 inch PVC Pipe with large half inch holes drilled in the Pipe.  This doesn’t work very well,   Because the holes are too large and the number of holes in the French Drainpipe are too few.

 Also there is no filter or “Soc” around this particular French Drainpipe.  If it is used in sandy or loose soil the holes will clog and the pipe will fill up with sand.  PVC French Drainpipe should be avoided.

ADS French Drainpipe 

is much better, the holes are smaller and much more numerous.  It also comes inside a soc that acts as a filter and helps keep sand and debris out of the French Drainpipe.  It works very well.

French Drain in flowerbed
French Drain in flowerbed

For Small business and Residential French Drains, four-inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drainpipe is adequate and the most common.  It is used for the majority of all French Drains installed.  French Drains can be installed using 3 inch ADS Perf/Soc but many times it is too small and can be overwhelmed by a heavy rain or from a bad design.  (Too many gutter down spouts connected directly into the French Drain, For Example) Three Inch French Drainpipe should be avoided if possible.

Six inch  ADS Perf/Soc French Drainpipe is usually a good idea when possible.  It carries a much larger volume of water.  Six Inch French Drains are rarely overwhelmed.

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

Driveway Channel Drain