Archive for the ‘French Drain Service’ Category

Norman French Drain Specialist, French Drain Service, French Drain Repair

Posted: January 15, 2026 in french drain, French Drain Installation, French Drain Service
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Norman French Drain Specialist.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide French Drain Installation, and French Drain Service for Central and Western Oklahoma.

We install French Drains to protect Foundations.  If you need a French Drain along your driveway, we do that too.  A French Drain might be needed in a yard or flowerbed.  French Drains solve standing water problems and provide limited protection for flooding.

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

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.

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.

Information on French Drains

Edmond is one of the communities in Central Oklahoma that Oklahoma Drainage services.  We have installed almost a thousand French Drains in the Edmond community in the past 31 years.

Edmond has many hills and valleys.  Neighborhoods are built on hillsides.  This causes many Drainage Problems.  We have installed French Drains by themselves and as a part of Drainage Systems to protect Driveways, Sidewalks, Foundations all over Edmond.

French Drains may be installed in Flower Beds or grassy areas too. A  French Drain  when installed correctly can provide many years of property protection and Piece of Mind.

WHERE WE HAVE WORKED!

In 1993 we had no website.  I stuck little signs on the side of the road as advertisement.  I got my first Drain Installation work in March of 1993 in Norman.  It was in Brookhaven North of Robinson Street on the West side of I 35.

Over the years Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has installed all types of Drainage Systems in almost Every town in Central and Western Oklahoma.

The majority of our customers live in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, New Castle, Yukon and Choctaw.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair hasn’t been limited to those areas, however.  We have also installed French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps in many other cities.

Working Drainage Systems Installed by Oklahoma Drainage also reside in: Lawton, Duncan, Ardmore, Chickasha, Shawnee, Enid, Weatherford, Elk City, El reno and many other places.

If you live in any of these Cities or towns, we have installed a French Drain, Surface Drain, Channel Drain, or Sump Pump within 5 miles of your home.

French Drain and Surface Drain

French Drain and Surface Drain

Here is a description of other recent work.

A little bit North of Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Drainage installed a 6-inch French Drain between two businesses which were less than three feet apart.  The French Drain went between a Law Firm and a Tire shop.  Water was leaking through the walls of both businesses.  Gutters between the two establishments were dumping a huge amount of water.  We installed a 6-inch French Drain between the gutters.

It took a long time to get the dirt out of the trench for the French Drain.  It was a very tight fit.  We had to use a little red wagon to haul out the dirt for the French Drain and haul back in the crushed limestone for the French Drain.  It looked a little silly, but it was the only thing we could find that was narrow enough to fit between the buildings.  A French Drain that normally would take 1 day to install took three.

Double Exit Point

The French Drain had a Double Exit Point.  This means that once water entered the French Drainpipe, it could run South to the street, or it could run North to the alley.  To exit points greatly increases the water capacity for any French Drain.

Along the course of the French Drain, we connected two large gutters directly into the Drainpipe.

Once in place, the French Drain eliminated all the water that was leaking into the two buildings.

Drainage Problem Solved!

 

French Drain Answers are 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 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 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 uses 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.

 

When water come in contact with the French Drain, it seeps down through the stones and into the French Drainpipe.  It then flows through the Drainpipe to the exit point.  Typically, a French Drain will have two possible exit points.   The First is called a “Pop-Up Emitter.”  It is a Green Lid on top of a release basin for the French Drain.

 

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

When Installing a French Drain as part of a Drainage System, there are many things to consider.

What is the primary source of water coming into the problem drainage area.

Are there secondary sources of water entering the area.

What are they and how many.

How fast does water enter the area and how often.

What are the potential exit points for the water,  Where do we want to take the water too.  Is there more than one potential exit point to increase drainage capacity.

Does the customer want a Drainage System or a Flood Prevention System and does he understand the difference.

 

Oklahoma Drainage

recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in  South Oklahoma City.  The Home owner had a sump Pump in their basement that was fed from a French Drain outside the Basement Wall.  The French Drain was 14 feet down along the Stem wall of the house.  The French Drain Pipe was cheap and had collapsed.  We brought in a Mini Excavator and dug up the pipe and replaced it with Durable ADS 4 inch perf/soc French Drain pipe.  In the end, we were able to dig up the pipe and Replace it.

New Trench for French Drain

Next we installed a new exit for the water by installing a curb fitting.

No more flooding in the customers basement.  A few weeks later our customer was able to lay carpet in the basement with no problems.

French Drain Installed Along Stem Wall

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been diagnosing and solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  Water has the ability to get into places around your home where you really don’t want it to be.  Some drainage problems are easy to solve.  Typically water enters the problem drainage area one way from one source.  The really tricky drainage problems occur when water enters the problem drainage area from multiple directions and from multiple sources.  Sometimes a secondary water source can’t be seen or identified until the primary water problem source is eliminated.

An example of this occurs when water is running into a problem area in an obvious way over the ground where you can see it.

Simple enough.

A drainage system is installed with a surface drain as the “intake” with drainage pipe running to an exit point.  Initially the water drains away and everything looks great.  The next day water is back and is all around the surface drain, but below the edge and it hasn’t rained at all, so no additional water ran over the surface of the ground to flood the area.

The primary water source was solved, ( The surface water run off ) but the secondary water source was not.  Which was sub-surface water, (ground water) running into the area.  A surface drain can’t drain “ground water.”  A French Drain should have initially been installed instead of a Surface Drain.  A French Drain can drain both Surface Water and Ground Water.

 

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.

The Drawbacks to 6-inch French Drain installation are:

 
 1.  The Materials Cost is higher for six-inch French Drain Compared to Four Inch Pipe.
                                                                                                                   
2.  Many times 6 Inch French Drainpipe is too large for many applications, Such as going under a fence or sidewalk.  
                                                                                                                   
3.  The trench for a 6 inch French Drain must be much larger than a 4 Inch
                                                                                                                 
 4.  The amount of gravel or limestone or River Rock used to Cover the 6 inch French Drain is Much larger
 
All things being considered, the performance and longevity of a 6-inch French Drain is well worth it if you are trying to protect something of value to you!  If the higher cost and the additional labor and materials are not a problem and 6-inch French Drainpipe is not too big for what you want to do then a 6-inch French Drain would be the best.  
 
 
 
 

Grass Growing Over French Drain, Norman Sprinkler Repair

Posted: January 12, 2026 in french drain, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service, Sprinkler Repair, sprinkler repair, Sprinkler Service
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Grass Growing Over a French Drain can be a good thing.  Let Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair tell you why!

French Drain Installation in sun or shade.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can show you the difference.

Oklahoma Drainage– We install French Drains, Channel Drains, Surface Drains, Sump Pumps and Sod.

If You live in Oklahoma City and water damaging your foundation, we can install a French Drain for you.

 Or If you live in Norman and have water standing on your driveway, we can install a Channel Drain for you.

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

 Or If you live in Moore and have water washing out your flower bed mulch, we can install a Surface Drain for you.

If you live in Yukon and need grass to grow, we can install Sod too!

Servicing All of Central and Western Oklahoma Since 1993.

 

FRENCH DRAIN INSTALLATION IN SUN OR SHADE?

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

Rest Home French Drain Running Through Low Areas

 

French Drains are designed to cover large areas and move lots of water.  During a hard rain, water will seep down through the gravel and into the Perforated French Drainpipe that is buried under the gravel.  The water fills into the pipe and moves downhill to the desired Exit Point.  French Drains like the one in the picture above that are in the sun most of the day will have grass that overgrows the limestone.  The gravel will disappear over time.

Grass will Grow Over the Gravel

The French Drain will continue to work even after the grass has grown over it.  A “Thatch Filter ” is made up of the grass that covers the French Drain.  The French Drain then has two filters.

First is the Neo-Prene Soc that comes around the Perforated French Drainpipe.  Later when the grass grows over it, the French Drain then has a second Thatch Filter.  This ensures that the French Drainpipe won’t clog over time with dirt, sand, or debris.  This only works with grass that does well in the sun like Bermuda or Tift.

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

YOU DON’T WANT TO COVER THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  IT WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE DRAINAGE PERFORMANCE OF THE FRENCH DRAIN.  IT DEFEATS THE ENTIRE REASON FOR THE FRENCH DRAIN.  IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE WAY IT LOOKS AND CAN’T BE PATIENT ENOUGH TO WAIT UNTIL THE GRASS GROWS THROUGH IT IF IT IS IN THE SUN, THEN DON’T INSTALL IT AT ALL.

IF THE FRENCH DRAIN IS INSTALLED IN THE SHADE, YOU CAN USE DECORATIVE ROCK TO MAKE A FOOT PATH OR ROCK GARDEN ON TOP OF IT.  YOU ARE ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR IMAGINATION.

 

Lawn Sprinklers can have pipes that leak.   PVC Pipe is the most common Sprinkler System Pipe and leaks definitely are possible.

Leaking Sprinkler Pipes

Leaks can occur near Sprinkler Valves.  Water travels through Sprinkler Valves and can leak going in or coming out.

Many Cities require a back-flow valve to protect the City’s water supply.  It can also leak as water passes through the valve.

Leaks can also occur due to tree roots stressing Sprinkler Pipes.  The pipes can be twisted by roots and crack or break.

Water inside Sprinkler Pipes can freeze and break or crack the PVC Pipe.

Move sprinkler heads, Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond

There are many reasons for moving Sprinkler Heads.

If you put in a new pool, most of the sprinkler heads will need to be moved.

Sprinkler Heads need to be moved if you have new landscaping installed.

Sometimes Sprinkler Heads weren’t in a good place to begin with.  They need to be moved!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help.  We have been moving Sprinkler Heads since 1993.

In 32 years, we have moved a lot of Heads for Customers in Central and Western Oklahoma.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide 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.

Sprinkler Head Installation

Moving Sprinkler Head

Spraying Rotor Sprinkler Repair

Spraying Rotor Sprinkler Head

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.

Rainbird Sprinkler Valve

Rainbird Sprinkler 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 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

Check out Sprinkler System Check-Up

 

 

IF YOU NEED HELP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR ON A WEEKEND WITH YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM, GIVE US A CALL.

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR.  405 203 9419

IT MAY TAKE A FEW HOURS FOR US TO GET THERE BUT WE WILL COME TO HELP.

 

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

 

 

Standing Water Problem, Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

Posted: December 16, 2025 in french drain, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service, Standing Water
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Drainage Diagnostics is a way of figuring out what to do about your Water Problem. Typically, many things must be considered when completing a Drainage Diagnostic.

Small Channel Drain Installed In the Corner of a Patio

Small Channel Drain Installed On Patio In Lawton,                Drain Definitions 

Drainage Diagnostics

1.  Identify the areas being damaged by water and determine if there are any hidden areas.  The big water problem areas are easy to see, hidden areas are the less noticeable.  We look for secondary Drainage Problems, not just the Primary Drainage.  This helps prevent missing something small that will become a problem once the big Drainage Issues are fixed.

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)

Exit Point

3.  Identify the Exit Point.  Where should the unwanted water be taken.

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 are never a good combination! Above are a few of the principles utilized by Oklahoma Drainage when solving a water problem.  (Drainage Diagnostic)

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 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.

We also Install Channel Drains across Driveways and Sidewalks.

Channel Drain Across Driveway Connected to 4 inch ADS Drain Pipe on One Side and ADS French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter on the other

French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway,         Drain Definitions 

Basic French Drain Installation

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

 

muddy french drain installation

Installing a French Drain in the mud

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.  Sometimes 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.

Setting in the channel drain

Setting in the Channel Drain in the cut.

 

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

 

Liner and French dran

Perforated Pipe, Filter, and Liner installed in a drainage trench.

The Initial Dig

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.

 

new french drain

French Drain Installation

The French Drainpipe 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 limestone 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 Drainpipe 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.

Servicing Central Oklahoma including Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, Del City, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Purcell, Newcastle, Blanchard and surrounding areas.

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.

French Drain or Surface 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 or Gravel

The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain Every time.

French Drain 
A French Drain is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts connected to it.
 

The main downfall of a French Drain

 
is that they, for the most part 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 LIFETIME.

 

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

Channel Drain

 

Drain Pipe running to street from French Drain

Drainpipe running to street from French Drain

 

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain in Oklahoma City

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – Expert Sprinkler Repair for all Residential Lawn Sprinkler Systems

Emergency Service – After hours and Weekends

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 

and over 2000 other Sprinkler Repairs in Central and Western Oklahoma.

Sprinkler Repair in Oklahoma City.

Recently we spent an afternoon checking out a Sprinkler System in Northwest Oklahoma City.  The customer told us that many of the heads in the System had a variety of problems.  Her Sprinkler System was fairly large so the Sprinkler System Checkup would take some time.

 

Sprinkler System Checkup

First, we had to run each Sprinkler Zone and look at each Sprinkler Head individually.  This took a while.   After that we fixed everything without a “Hitch.”

Blanchard French Drain, French Drain Repair, Service, Installation

Posted: December 8, 2025 in french drain, French Drain Information, French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service
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Blanchard French Drain.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has provided Expert Service and Installation in Blanchard since 1993.

Many times, people believe that a French Drain has a Grate on the Top.  It does not.

The Picture above is a Surface Drain.

French Drain – A French Drain is a perforated pipe that is basically full of slits or holes.  A trench is dug across the problem drainage area.   A Semi-permeable liner is placed in the trench which lets in water but not dirt. The dirt from the trench is hauled away.   The French Drainpipe has a Neo-Preen Soc around it witch also lets in water but keeps the dirt out.

The perforated pipe is placed in the trench.  The Drainage trench is dug deep enough so that the perforated French Drainpipe is several inches below ground level when placed in the trench.  Next gravel or some type of crushed stone is placed on top and around the French Drain perforated pipe until the trench is full.

 

 

 

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

 

The dirt that was taken out to from the trench is hauled away. It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.

Gravel or Crushed Limestone

I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well. The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).

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. It is a good practice to always install a Trench Liner.

 

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 LIFETIME.

WHERE WE HAVE WORKED!

In 1993 we had no website.  I stuck little signs on the side of the road as advertisement.  I got my first Drain Installation work in March of 1993 in Norman.  It was in Brookhaven North of Robinson Street on the West side of I 35.

Over the years Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has installed all types of Drainage Systems in almost Every town in Central and Western Oklahoma.

The majority of our customers live in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, New Castle, Yukon and Choctaw.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair hasn’t been limited to those areas, however.  We have also installed French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps in many other cities.

Working Drainage Systems Installed by Oklahoma Drainage also reside in: Lawton, Duncan, Ardmore, Chickasha, Shawnee, Enid, Weatherford, Elk City, El reno and many other places.

If you live in any of these Cities or towns, we have installed a French Drain, Surface Drain, Channel Drain, or Sump Pump within 5 miles of your home.

Here is a description of other recent work.

A little bit North of Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Drainage installed a 6-inch French Drain between two businesses which were less than three feet apart.  The French Drain went between a Law Firm and a Tire shop.  Water was leaking through the walls of both businesses.  Gutters between the two establishments were dumping a huge amount of water.  We installed a 6-inch French Drain between the gutters.

It took a long time to get the dirt out of the trench for the French Drain.  It was a very tight fit.  We had to use a little red wagon to haul out the dirt for the French Drain and haul back in the crushed limestone for the French Drain.  It looked a little silly, but it was the only thing we could find that was narrow enough to fit between the buildings.  A French Drain that normally would take 1 day to install took three.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been installing French Drains in Newcastle since 1993.  We have helped over 4000 customers in Central and Western Oklahoma.
We install: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps.  Sprinkler Repair and Sod Installation are Also Available.

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – French Drain Installation, Drainage System Design, Expert Lawn Sprinkler Repair, Drain Repair 

Recently Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installed a large 6-inch French Drain in Edmond.  The customer had water running under his back porch step and into his basement.

We did a Free Drainage Diagnostic and Estimate.  The French Drain design that we proposed would intercept the surface water and subsurface water that was flowing under the steps.

The French Drain design called for a 6-inch French Drain to be installed above and several feet away from the steps.  It would run around the house parallel to the foundation and about 5 feet to the East.  The French Drain would run past the steps to a point where water must cross the French Drain or run up hill to the steps which in this case was not possible.

 Once past the steps, the French Drain would transition to Solid 6-inch Drainpipe and continue on around the house to the Pop-Up Emitter downhill in the side yard.  Along the way we attached several Gutter Down Spouts into the French Drain.

 

Channel Drain Installation require a high level of Experience and attention to detail.

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been diagnosing and solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  Water has the ability to get into places around your home where you really don’t want it to be.  Some drainage problems are easy to solve.

Typically water enters the problem drainage area one way from one source.  The really tricky drainage problems occur when water enters the problem drainage area from multiple directions and from multiple sources.  Sometimes a secondary water source can’t be seen or identified until the primary water problem source is eliminated.

An example of this occurs when water is running into a problem area in an obvious way over the ground where you can see it.

Simple enough.

A drainage system is installed with a surface drain as the “intake” with drainage pipe running to an exit point.  Initially the water drains away, and everything looks great.

The next day water is back and is all around the surface drain, but below the edge and it hasn’t rained at all, so no additional water ran over the surface of the ground to flood the area.

The primary water source was solved, ( The surface water run off ) but the secondary water source was not.  Which was sub-surface water, (ground water) running into the area.  A surface drain can’t drain “ground water.”  A French Drain should have initially been installed instead of a Surface Drain.  A French Drain can drain both Surface Water and Ground Water.

 

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

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

 

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain

 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. Is your sidewalk turning into a moat after a heavy rain? Worst of all, is water seeping into your foundation and duct work after a thunderstorm? 

These are just a few of the Drainage Problems that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help with.  We can design a Drainage System to fit your specific needs. 

We install many types of Drains to solve many types of problems.   

French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps are utilized.

 

 

 

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, 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 with a Black Grate

Cutting the Curb

Cutting the Curb for a French Drain Outlet

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain, and many times is installed in

Channel Drain
 

4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
4 Inch Drainpipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.

 

 

French Drain Contractor Moore Oklahoma, Sprinkler Repair, Sump Pumps

Posted: December 3, 2025 in french drain, French Drain Contractor, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service
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French Drain Contractor Moore Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage – 405 203 9419 — Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma

Moore Oklahoma French Drain Contractor

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.   With over 33 years of experience we provide top quality French Drains, Drainage Systems.

Check Out Our Helpers!

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

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

 

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

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). 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.

Surface Drain with French Drain

Surface Drain beside a French Drain with River Rock

Moore Oklahoma French Drain Contractor

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

Drainpipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

 

Sprinkler Repair Oklahoma City.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has provided Expert Sprinkler Repair Service in OKC since 1993.

Sprinkler Valve Installation

Sprinkler Valve Installation

Today we did a sprinkler repair in OKC.  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.

A broken Rotor Sprinkler head was found immediately.

Next, zone five look good with no problems.

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!

Now is a good time to have a Sprinkler System Checkup provided by Oklahoma Drainage.

Sprinkler Systems need to be checked before winter to prevent pipes from freezing.  Sprinkler Design determines whether sprinkler lines need to be bled.  Emergency shut off valves also need to be checked and turned off for the winter.

In the Spring, all the water needs to be turned back on and all sprinkler zones and heads need to be tested.

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 provide Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

Sprinkler Valves

Sprinkler Valve Replacement is a service that Oklahoma Drainage has provided Since 1993.  Recently we removed 3 Rainbird Sprinkler Valves and replaced them with new ones.  The valves had been crushed accidentally when a landscaper drove his truck across the yard.

Sprinkler System Check-Up in Edmond, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Moore.

 

 

Sprinkler System Check-Up process is very straightforward.  We run through all the Sprinkler Zones one-at-a- time from the controller. 

Sprinkler Controller

Sprinkler controllers can be a problem source.   Many times, the wires in the controller are loose or have a “Short” in one of the wires.  Sprinkler Programming can be a source of frustration.  We can help with Programming your controller.

We check all the sprinkler heads in that zone and the valves as well.

Once the Sprinkler System Checkup is Complete, we provide a Quote for what it will cost to make the needed repairs.

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.  405 203 9419

Sprinkler Valve Replacement is a service that Oklahoma Drainage has provided Since 1993.  Recently we removed 3 Rainbird Sprinkler Valves and replaced them with new ones.  The valves had been crushed accidentally when a landscaper drove his truck across the yard.

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 provide Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

First Step

First, we dug up a good working area surrounding the broken Sprinkler Valves.  Next, we cut out the broken valves and crushed PVC pipes.  Finally, PVC pipe was cut and glued with new Sprinkler Valves following the original design and configuration.  In this case the three original sprinkler valves were connected to each other inside one Valve Box.

We aren’t done yet though; two sprinkler wires must be connected to each Valve.  One sprinkler wire is the “Common Ground.”  The other wire is the power wire.  All the sprinkler wiring is connected with water-proof wire connections.

The Common Ground wire and the Individual Power Wires all come from the Sprinkler Controller.  Each Sprinkler Valve has its own power wire coming from the Controller.  All the Sprinkler Valves are Connected to the Same Common Ground Wire.

Sprinkler Valve Replacement

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Before We Finish

Before dirt can be put back around the new valves, testing must be done.  Each valve must be turned on, “one-at-a-time,” at the Controller to ensure good wire connection and functionality.  Also, the Sprinkler Valves must be checked for leaks in the PVC Pipe.

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.

Blanchard Sprinkler Repair has been provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair since 1993.

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.

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.

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair Replacing Valve

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 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 French Drain Repair

Posted: November 26, 2025 in french drain, French Drain In Norman, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service, sprinkler repair
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0

Norman French Drain Repair.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has provided Expert French Drain Repair in Norman since 1993.

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!

Servicing All of Central and Western Oklahoma Since 1993.

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

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

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

Oklahoma Drainage has seen and dealt with virtually every possible Drainage and Standing water problem that can occur in or around your home.  With over 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?

Blane Callen, 405 203 9419

Oklahoma Drainage can help with this type of situation.

This is a great place for a French Drain

 

Installing French Drain under sidewalk

Installing French Drain under sidewalk

 

French Drain Installation this week was a little more difficult than normal.  Many times, the route that a Perforated French Drainpipe must travel to its exit point is not very easy from an installation point of view.

French Drains may have to travel through tree roots, (big ones) under sidewalks, through retaining walls, around swing sets or dog kennels or Mom’s Prize Rose Bush.

Huge Elm Trees

The 4 inch French Drain we installed this week was in Oklahoma City south of 23rd in an old part of town where all the houses were old 2 or 3 story homes with lots of huge Elm Trees.

The Elm Tree in Question actually was just an old stump that had been topped out but not completely removed.  They left the roots just for us!  The roots were growing into the homes foundation and were right in the way of the path of the French Drain.

Forty feet of solid Elm Roots and 4 chain-saw blades later We were successful in running a new French Drain through a tree stump.  Yuck! “Well you gotta  do what you gotta do!”

 

 

French Drain with colored river rock

French Drain with colored river rock

A little info about French Drainpipe and Tree Roots.

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

French Drainpipe is perforated.  Water that does not reach the exit point of the French Drain will seep out of the Pipe into the surrounding dirt.

Solid Drainpipe that is used with Surface Drains can be penetrated and eventually clogged by roots if the pipe does not have good slope or “Fall”.  If the solid pipe does not drain well and has residual water, tree roots will seek it out.

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Drainage Systems,  and provides Expert Sprinkler System Repair.

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.  

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

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

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

 

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve

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.

Norman Sprinkler Checkup is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We Performed or first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.  It was in Brookhaven on the West side of Norman.

Recently we had a customer in Oklahoma City who wanted to move his Sprinkler Valves.  They were in a bad place in his flower bed.  He wanted to plant a tree where the valves were located.

We moved 4 Sprinkler Valves about feet out into the yard.  All the Sprinkler Pipes had to be redesigned and installed matching the new location and maintaining full functionality.

 

French Drain Service Norman

Posted: November 25, 2025 in french drain, French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service, sprinkler repair, Sprinkler Service
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2

French Drain Service Norman.   Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has provided service and installation since 1993.  Our coverage area is all of Central and Western Oklahoma.  We provide Service from Elk City to Shawnee and Frem Enid to Ardmore.

 

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!

Servicing All Of Central And Western Oklahoma Since 1993.

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

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

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

Oklahoma Drainage has seen and dealt with virtually every possible Drainage and Standing water problem that can occur in or around your home.  With over 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?

Duck enjoying a French Drain

Ducks Enjoying A French Drain

Blane Callen, 405 203 9419

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Drainage Systems,  and provides Expert Sprinkler System Repair.

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.  

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

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

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

 

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve

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.

Norman Sprinkler Checkup is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We Performed or first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.  It was in Brookhaven on the West side of Norman.

Recently we had a customer in Oklahoma City who wanted to move his Sprinkler Valves.  They were in a bad place in his flower bed.  He wanted to plant a tree where the valves were located.

We moved 4 Sprinkler Valves about feet out into the yard.  All the Sprinkler Pipes had to be redesigned and installed matching the new location and maintaining full functionality.

 

Oklahoma Drainage can help with this type of situation.

This is a great place for a French Drain

 

Installing French Drain under sidewalk

Installing French Drain under sidewalk

 

French Drain Installation this week was a little more difficult than normal.  Many times, the route that a Perforated French Drainpipe must travel to its exit point is not very easy from an installation point of view.

French Drains may have to travel through tree roots, (big ones) under sidewalks, through retaining walls, around swing sets or dog kennels or Mom’s Prize Rose Bush.

Huge Elm Trees

The 4 inch French Drain we installed this week was in Oklahoma City south of 23rd in an old part of town where all the houses were old 2 or 3 story homes with lots of huge Elm Trees.

The Elm Tree in Question actually was just an old stump that had been topped out but not completely removed.  They left the roots just for us!  The roots were growing into the homes foundation and were right in the way of the path of the French Drain.

Forty feet of solid Elm Roots and 4 chain-saw blades later We were successful in running a new French Drain through a tree stump.  Yuck! “Well you gotta  do what you gotta do!”

 

 

French Drain with colored river rock

French Drain with colored river rock

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

French Drainpipe is perforated.  Water that does not reach the exit point of the French Drain will seep out of the Pipe into the surrounding dirt.

Solid Drainpipe that is used with Surface Drains can be penetrated and eventually clogged by roots if the pipe does not have good slope or “Fall”.  If the solid pipe does not drain well and has residual water, tree roots will seek it out.

 

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.

French Drains Protect Foundations, French Drain Repair, Sprinkler Repair

Posted: November 19, 2025 in french drain, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service, sprinkler repair
Tags: , , , ,
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French Drains Protect Foundations, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Lawton

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

FRENCH DRAINS PROTECT FOUNDATIONS

When homes are sold many times a “Structural Engineer” is required to inspect a home.  Many times, when water damage has occurred a Structural Engineer will recommend a French Drain Installation to protect foundations, Driveways, and Sidewalks.  It can protect them from further water damage.

A French Drain protects foundations, and anything else made of concrete when installed correctly.

 

Standing Water

Standing Water Needs a French Drain

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

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

French Drain with Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

 

Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains.  Most Drainage Systems, however, are basic and require just one type of Drain.

We install a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps. Are most commonly used.

Edmond Channel Drain

If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, Give us a call. 405 203 9419

French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma

French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma

The most common Drain that we install is the French Drain.  This is because the French Drain is versatile.  It can handle Surface Water Problems or Underground Water Problems (sub-surface).

A huge mistake that many people make is assuming that water gets to a Problem Drainage Area by flowing over the surface only.  For example, if water is flowing downhill underground toward your home’s foundation, the only way to stop or intercept it is with a French Drain.  Water can flow laterally into a perforated French Drainpipe.  It is then diverted away from the Problem Drainage Area to an Exit Point.

 

French Drain or Surface 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.  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.

Gravel Or Limestone

The dirt that is taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.

The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

 
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.

Downfall of a French Drain

The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part isn’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the limestone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is OK.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the French Drain.
In some cases, thick grass growing up through the French Drain will create a natural “Thatch” filter.  This makes the French Drain invisible.  The trick is to allow the grass to grow over the French Drain Gravel without covering it up with dirt.  Grasses such as Bermuda which grow well in the sun will put out runners and new roots and will grow up and through the French Drain.  This will not affect the performance of the French Drain.  The problem is that sometimes depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain.  Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.

Don’t Cover 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.   

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

 

French Drains Protect Foundations

If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:

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

                                        B.  Leave the French Drain as-is but decorate it with steppingstones or landscaping rocks.  Many French Drains are hidden under rock walkways.

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with steppingstones

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Drainage Systems,  and provides Expert Sprinkler System Repair.

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.  

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

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

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

 

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve

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.

Norman Sprinkler Checkup is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We Performed or first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.  It was in Brookhaven on the West side of Norman.

Recently we had a customer in Oklahoma City who wanted to move his Sprinkler Valves.  They were in a bad place in his flower bed.  He wanted to plant a tree where the valves were located.

We moved 4 Sprinkler Valves about feet out into the yard.  All the Sprinkler Pipes had to be redesigned and installed matching the new location and maintaining full functionality.

 

Oklahoma City French Drain Service, Sprinkler Repair

Posted: November 16, 2025 in french drain, French Drain Pictures, French Drain Service, sprinkler repair, Sprinkler System Checkup
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Oklahoma City French Drain Service.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has provided Expert Service for French Drains and all types of Drainage Systems since 1993.

Expert Sprinkler System Repair is available too!

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!

Before

cutting the driveway for a channel drain

Breaking out the cut concrete

After

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

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

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

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

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

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!

clogged French Drain Pipe

French Drainpipe that another contractor installed?

We dug up this French Drainpipe that was installed incorrectly.  No Trench Liner or Neo-Preen Filter was installed.  We replaced 60 feet of bad French Drain.

French Drain trench liner

This was the New French Drainpipe that we installed with a trench liner.

 

Hiring your brother-in-law

to put in your Drainage System or French Drain is as bad!  Having a landscape company to install a Channel Drain or Sump Pump isn’t much better.  It would be like having your doctor preform brain surgery on your child.  He could do it but do you really want him to with his lack of experience and training?

 

swampy area

Is this your yard?

 

flooded area

This is a great place for a French Drain

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, with 30 years of experience. 

 

Just what is a “French Drain?” Many times, people incorrectly use the term.

 

A basic French Drain

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

 

muddy french drain installation

Installing a French Drain in the mud

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.  Sometimes 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.

Setting in the channel drain

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Drainage Systems,  and provides Expert Sprinkler System Repair.

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.  

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

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

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve

Above Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

 

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve

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.

Norman Sprinkler Checkup is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We Performed or first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.  It was in Brookhaven on the West side of Norman.

Recently we had a customer in Oklahoma City who wanted to move his Sprinkler Valves.  They were in a bad place in his flower bed.  He wanted to plant a tree where the valves were located.

We moved 4 Sprinkler Valves about feet out into the yard.  All the Sprinkler Pipes had to be redesigned and installed matching the new location and maintaining full functionality.

 

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

Posted: October 30, 2025 in Drain Installation, french drain, French Drain Contractor, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service
Tags: , ,
2

French Drain Contractor.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419

Services Provided:

French Dain Installation and Repair

Surface Drain Installation and Repair

Channel Drain Installation and Repair

Sump Pump Installation and Repair

Sprinkler Repair Including EMERGENCY REPAIR ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS

Sump Pump Installation and Repair

Sod Installation

 

Check out the French Drain installed in Oklahoma City.

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain Installed in Rest Home

French Drain in Oklahoma City

 

French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation
Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

Installing Limestone in trench liner for French Drain

Installing limestone inside trench liner for French drain

    

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

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Tools for Installing a Drainage System

Drainage System Installation 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.

Simple Drainage System

A simple Drainage System might consist of a Surface Drain that is connected to a second Surface Drain which runs to a Pop-up Emitter which lets water drain over the curb and into the street.

An “Exit Point” is the term used for where all the water leaves the Drainage System.  Determining the Exit Point is very critical.  It is one of the first things we do when diagnosing a Drainage Problem.

Drainage Systems can:

1.  Keep water away from foundations — A French Drain is best because it can move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water (water moving underground) away from the foundation.  Many times, less experienced companies install Surface Drains to keep water away from foundations.

This can be a big mistake.  A Surface Drain can’t move or drain Sub-Surface Water.   Also, A Surface Drain often can’t move enough water fast enough and easily becomes overwhelmed during a heavy rain.  A Surface Drain also can’t cover or protect a broad enough area. Surface Drains should be designed in a Drainage System to be located in smaller Drainage Areas moving moderate amounts of water.  Surface Drains look better than French Drains.

If, “appearance” is more important

than Drainage Capacity, Go with the Surface Drain.  Just know what you are getting into and what your expectations should be. One side of a foundation alone, can be over 100 feet.  A 4 inch or 6-inch French Drain is best when protecting a large area such as a foundation.

Surface Drain Installed next to sidewalk in Oklahoma City.
Surface Drain Installed next to sidewalk in Oklahoma City.

Surface Drain

2.  Keep water away from small or enclosed areas.  This might be a low area just through a gate on the side of a house, or the low area between a flowerbed and the wall of a house or standing water on or near a sidewalk or driveway.  These types of Drainage Problems are best served with Surface Drains.  A Surface Drain can move water away from a low area that is relatively small.

This can occur in yards, flowerbeds, sidewalks and driveways.  A Surface Drain is designed to move Surface Water away from a problem area to a predetermined exit point.  Surface Drains are available in many sizes.  How quickly they remove standing water is usually determined by the size of the Drainpipe that is connected to the Drain.

Surface Drain Installation in Norman
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

French Drain Definition

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times, people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,”  to apply to many different types of Drains that could be used in a Drainage System.  The term is widely used and many times incorrectly connected to “Surface Drains,” or “Channel Drains.”

A Surface Drain has a grate that sits on top of a basin.  The basin is underground.  A 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 in Driveway
Channel Drain

FRENCH DRAINS AS PART OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR BY THEMSELVES

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

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

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

Complex Drainage System

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

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

French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

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

FRENCH DRAIN DESIGN

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

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

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

Determining the size of the French Drainpipe

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

French Drain Pipe Installation

French Drainpipe Installation

French Drain Design

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

Surface Drain with grate in Oklahoma City

Surface Drain with grate in Oklahoma City

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

Oklahoma Drainage

Surface Drains in Edmond

Surface Drains in Edmond

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

A French Drain is a trench that runs across the Drainage Problem Area.  A French Drainpipe is placed in the bottom of the trench.  The French 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.  We typically use 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.

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Sprinkler Repair and Emergency Sprinkler Repair

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

Installing Surface Drain in Driveway

Installing Surface Drain in Driveway

Oklahoma Drainage Recently installed a Drainage System in Nichols Hills.  The Drainage System was made up of a 4-inch n

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

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

When Installing a French Drain as part of a Drainage System, there are many things to consider.

What is the primary source of water coming into the problem drainage area.

Are there secondary sources of water entering the area.

What are they and how many.

How fast does water enter the area and how often.

What are the potential exit points for the water,  Where do we want to take the water too.  Is there more than one potential exit point to increase drainage capacity.

Does the customer want a Drainage System or a Flood Prevention System and does he understand the difference.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in South Oklahoma City.  The Homeowner had a sump Pump in their basement that was fed from a French Drain outside the Basement Wall.

The French Drain was 14 feet down along the Stem wall of the house.  The French Drainpipe was cheap and had collapsed.  We brought in a Mini Excavator and dug up the pipe and replaced it with Durable ADS 4 inch perf/soc French Drainpipe.  In the end, we were able to dig up the pipe and replace it.

 

Curb Fitting with Acrylic Cement For French Drain

Curb Fitting with Acrylic Cement for French Drain

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO LIBRARY!

Photos of French Drains

Photos of Surface Drains

Photos of Channel Drains

Photos of Sprinkler System Installation

Photos of Sprinkler Repair

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

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.

Limestone or Gravel

The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.

French Drain 

A French Drain

is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts connected to it.
The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the limestone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is Ok.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the drain.

Don’t Cover a French Drain with Dirt

DONT COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.

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

 

French Drai

starting in the back yard.

What is a Drainage System?

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

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

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

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

Water Sources:

1.  It falls from the sky directly

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

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

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

5.  It flows from a gutter downspout

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diagnosing Drainage Problems

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

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

For home and small business use typical materials used are:

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

3-inch, 4 inch, and 6-inch Drainpipes —

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

French Drains move more water than Surface Drains —

French Drains move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water

Surface Drains move Surface Water only

Surface Drains look nicer than French Drains in most cases

Drainage System

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

Installing Drainage Curb Fitting for a French Drain in Norman

Installing Drainage Curb Fitting for a French Drain in Norman

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

A Drainage Curb Fitting

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

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

Cutting The Curb and Installing Curb Fitting for French Drain
Cutting The Curb and Installing Curb Fitting for French Drain

The Drainage Pop-Up Emitter

is connected to the end of a Drainpipe.  It is downhill from a French Drain or a Surface Drain.  It is a small release basin with a green pop-up lid.  When releasing water, it pops up about an inch to release the water from the French Drain or Surface Drain.

When the Storm Water

has moved through the Drainage System and out of the Pop-Up Emitter, the green lid closes back to its original closed position.  The emitter is designed to release water out into a yard or down a hill or other desirable Drainage Exit Point where there is no curb.

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

Drainage System installation and design is a big part of our business.  Does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a hard rain?  Does part of your yard look like a pond after a thunderstorm?  Worst of all, are you experiencing concrete deterioration to your foundation, sidewalk, or driveway.

Oklahoma Drainage

can design a Drainage System to solve your Drainage Problems.  Our Drainage Systems can be simple or complex.  We utilize, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basin Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, and Sump Pumps.  Estimates are free!

French Drain as Part of a Drainage System

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

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

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated 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.

Haul away the excess dirt

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch 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 French Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.

French Drain in Rest Home

French Drain in Norman

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.

Drawback of a French Drain

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 LIFETIME.

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