Archive for the ‘french drain’ Category

Oklahoma City Lawn Sprinkler Service, French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair

Posted: February 15, 2026 in french drain, Oklahoma City Lawn Sprinkler Service, sprinkler repair, sprinkler repair Oklahoma city
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Oklahoma City Lawn Sprinkler Service.   Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair   Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair and Service since 1993 for all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

Lots of things can go wrong with a sprinkler system.  

Sprinkler Heads get crushed or broken by heavy lawn mowers or cars that may drive in a yard.  Lawnmowers or weed eaters often cut the tops off sprinkler heads or cause damage.  Sprinkler heads may also need adjustment if they are not spraying water in the correct location.

 

 

Spraying Rotor Sprinkler Repair

Spraying Rotor Sprinkler Head

 

 

 

Sprinkler Valve Replacement

Sprinkler Valve Replacement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprinkler Controllers may have programming issues, wiring issues, or problems from power surges.  Dead sprinkler controllers are common. 

Sometimes Sprinkler Valves get stuck in the “On” position, or they leak.  They have wiring issues too or the solenoid may need replacement.

405 203 9419

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

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler Checkup Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Spring is just around the corner.  A Sprinkler Checkup might be what you need. Sprinkler Repair is a Central focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We have been providing quality Sprinkler Repair Service since 1993.  During that time, we have completed every type of Sprinkler Repair in Oklahoma City.  Experience is key.  Oklahoma Drainage has completed sprinkler repairs in every major city in Central and Western Oklahoma.  We have visited many small towns too. So, what type of Sprinkler Repair Do you need? Back-Flow-Valve Service, Sprinkler Repair Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Provides Service for Back-Flow-Valves and all types of Lawn Sprinkler Repair and Service.  We have provided Expert Service for all of Central and Western Oklahoma Since 1993.

Back-Flow-Valves

There are two types of Back-Flow-Valves.

Above Ground

  Below Ground Back-Flow-Valve.

What is a Back-Flow-Valve?

A Back-Flow-Valve is a part of a Lawn Sprinkler System.  Water passes through it from the water source which can be a Water Meter or a Well Pump.  It forces water to travel in only one direction from the source to the sprinkler system.  It can’t travel backward back to the water source which again is a water meter or well pump. A Back-Flow-Valve provides protection to the water source from back pressure and chemical contamination from lawn fertilizer. Most Cities require a Back-Flow-Valve as “Code” for Sprinkler Installation.

Emergency Shut off

Back-Flow-Valves usually have an Emergency Shutoff valve on them that can shut off the water to the lawn sprinkler system but keep the water turned on to the home. Most Back-Flow-Valves have two Emergency Shut off Handles.  Either one will work.  Many times, they are hard to turn, however. If there is a leak or water is shooting up in the air just turn the valve handle and give us a call.

In ground Back-Flow-Valve

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

Sprinkler Valve

A valve is an off or on switch for a particular Sprinkler Zone. You might need a Sprinkler Valve replaced.  Maybe it just needs to be adjusted?  We can adjust the solenoid or “Bleed,” the valve itself.  Debris might be stuck in it.

What Is a Sprinkler Valve?

Think of a Sprinkler Valve as an “Off or on” Switch.    The Sprinkler Controller   turns the valves on or off. It Sends a signal through a wire which is underground to the sprinkler valve somewhere in your yard. Once turned on, the valve lets water pass through a sprinkler pipe to a specific group of sprinkler heads called a Sprinkler Zone.  The controller allows water to reach the sprinkler heads for a certain amount of time running through the sprinkler valve.  Once the time is up, it shuts off the sprinkler valve and moves on to the next valve in sequence. Think of it as walking into every room in your house one at a time.  As you enter you turn on the light.  As you leave you turn off the light and move to the next room. You are the controller.  The light switch represents the sprinkler valve.

What causes a Sprinkler Valve to stop working?

Like anything else, a sprinkler valve can wear out.   Sprinkler valves fail in closed position.  It won’t run continuously if it breaks. Sprinkler Valves get stuck while running sometimes.   The water supply must be then turned off to stop the Sprinkler from running. Sprinkler Valves can freeze and break in the winter if the sprinkler system has not been properly drained for winter’s cold. (winterized)

 

Sprinkler Head Adjustment

Many homeowners need sprinkler heads moved to a new location or caped if they are no longer needed.  A sprinkler head might be spraying in the wrong place.   Sprinkler Controllers also cause problems.  Setting the programming might be difficult for the Homeowner.  They can stop working correctly too. Oklahoma Drainage can help with all of these problems and many others.  The problems listed above are the most common. Sprinkler Controller Repair is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage.  A Sprinkler Controller is the “Brain,” of a Sprinkler System.  They can wear out or stop working.  Power surges in the home can cause damage to a controller. Programming can be difficult for homeowners.  We can help with programming or replace a Sprinkler Module if it is defective.

Start Time Programming

“Start Time” programing many times is confusing for homeowners.  The definition of a Start Time is a time that is chosen for the sprinkler system to start watering.  It causes zone 1 to start running.  When zone 1 is finished it automatically stops and zone 2 begins.  When Zone 2 is complete it stops and zone 3 begins.  Simple enough Right!  This continues until the last zone programed available runs. The confusion begins when people think that a time needs to be set to start zone 2 and 3 and so on.  This is not the case.  They follow zone 1 which has the only Start Time programmed into the controller.

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

Sprinkler Controllers have a feature providing multiple start times, up to 4 Start Times are usually available.  These additional start times are only used when a person wants to run the entire system more than once in a 24-hour period. For Example, the first Start Time is set at 9Am.  Zone 1 begins to run at 9am.  When Zone 1 is done, say 10 minutes later, Zone 2 begins and runs for 10 minutes, then zone 3 follows and so on.  By 10 am let’s say all the zones have run.  Let’s say 8 hours later you have a second start time at 6 Pm.  Zone 1 comes on and runs and by 7pm all the zones have run again.  So, the controller has 2 start times which have caused the Sprinkler System to run start to finish twice in a 24-hour period.

The Big Problem

Here is the big problem!  Some Homeowners believe the second start time is to start zone 2 running.  They also think that the 3rd start time is to start zone 3 and the 4-start time is to run zone 4.  No!! So, this is how they program the controller.  At 9am they have a start time and zone 1 starts.  The homeowner programs a second start time at 9:10 am to mistakenly start zone 2.  Nope!  It starts zone 1 all over again.  At 9:2o they have a 3rd start time for zone 3.  Nope!  It starts zone 1 for a third time.  Now the controller is stuck in a loop and zone 1 runs constantly and won’t shut off.

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

“Run Time,” is completed Next.  It determines how long each zone runs.  Zone One 10 Minutes,     Zone Two, 15 Minutes, Zone Three 8 Minutes.  You can set how long you want each zone to run. French Drain Repair and Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French 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

 

Oh! we also solve water problems and provide Drainage.

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

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

Or,If you live in Norman and have water standing on your driveway, consider a Channel Drain Installation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

A “French Drain” Moves “surface water” away from a low-lying problem drainage area. What flows over the ground.  Sub surface water  which runs underground is not considered when a drainage system is being installed.  People only think about what they can see and don’t think much about what they can’t see.

French Drain Installation

French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

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

Sub Surface

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

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

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

Surface Drain install
Surface Drain Installed by sidewalk

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

A French Drain can

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

 

 

New French Drain

A French Drain Dries out the whole area



French Drain with very little fall When Installing a Drainage System, what kind of Drainpipe do you use and what size Drainpipe Do you need? For a Drainage System you have 3 Choices of Drainpipe.  You can use ADS, Or Sewer and Drain, or Thick Walled Pvc Pipe. ADS is Black and Flexible.  It is used in a majority of Drainage Systems.  It works well and is the easiest to install.  

 

 


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

Sewer and Drainpipe 

is white, green, or grey and is thin walled.  It is used for cheap plumbing applications such as sewer lines.  It is also used for inexpensive Drainage Systems. 

A Drainage System using Sewer and Drainpipe

is slightly cheaper than ADS.   It is rigid and harder to install than ADS. The pipe takes more time to install, and more digging is required at the joints or connections.  It is very difficult attaching a rigid Drainpipe to a Curb outlet because the Pipe does not flex at the connection.  The pipe hits the curb outlet at a downward angle and does line up straight with the connection.  Some Drain Installation Companies use a piece of ADS on the end of the Sewer and Drainpipe and then connect it to the curb outlet.  Many times, there is no other way to connect them depending on your downward slope.  


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

 

Old Sewer and Drain Pipe

Old Sewer and Drainpipe

Thick-walled PVC is superior to ADS and Sewer and Drain.

  It will last a lifetime.  It won’t crack under normal circumstances.

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

SD and 40 schedule

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

 

Oh, by the way,

40 Schedule or 200 Class PVC is by far the most expensive. If money is no object, then absolutely hire an Expert to install a Thick-walled PVC System.

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

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

Two Hundred Class gets thicker as the pipe gets bigger.

Forty Schedule is thicker than 200 class in pipes smaller than 2 inch.

Two hundred Class is thicker than 40 schedule in pipes over 2 inch.

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

The size of Drainpipe you use in your Drainage System is fairly simple.  You can use 3 Inch, 4 Inch, or 6 Inch. 

Sometimes 2 inch can be used on a small single drain but it is easily overwhelmed by too much water.

Four Inch, as stated earlier is the most common size used in a Drainage System. If your system is a Drainage System and not a Flood Prevention System, then 4 Inch Should be fine for most applications.

Lots of Water

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

It can vary. In 2025 we installed a Flood Prevention System that had two 6 inch pipes in the same trench.  Our customer never had water in her garage again. If you can afford larger Drainpipeor more than one Drainpipe in the same trench, your Drainage System should do its job well.

If you connect 5 large Surface Drainsto one small 3 inch pipe, be prepared for poor performance.  I’ve seen a large French Drain connected to a 3 inch pipe.  The water shot out of the exit point like a cannon and the problem drainage area stayed flooded for a long time. I try not to use 3 inch at all for a Drainage System and I am very careful not to attach too large or too many drains to 4 inch.

Surface Drain Service Edmond, Sprinkler Repair, French Drain, Service, Installation

Posted: February 10, 2026 in french drain, Surface Drain, Surface Drain Repair, Surface Drain Service
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Surface Drain Service Oklahoma City

A Surface Drain is a Drain with a Grate.  Many People think a French Drain has a Grate. They Don’t.

This is a Surface Drain.

 

This is a French Drain

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

405 203 9419

 

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

Complex or Simple

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.

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 under ground) away from the foundation.  Many times less experienced companies install Surface Drains to keep water away from foundations.  This can be a big mistake.  A Surface Drain can’t move or drain Sub-Surface Water.

Surface Drain Restrictions

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.

Surface Drain Next to a French Drain with River Rock

Surface Drain Next to a French Drain

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

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

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

Simply put,

a Drainage System is one or a group of underground Drainpipes that take water away from a place that has water standing on it or flowing across it.  The water that is in the problem area, can be causing damage or may be inconvenient or both.  (Usually Both)  A simple Drainage System is a Drain for the water to enter, a Drain Pipe to move the water away from the Drain, and an Exit Point for the water to be released out of the Drain Pipe.

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 down hill 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 clogged

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

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

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

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

Once the number of water sources is determined,

a rough estimate of the amount of water that needs to be drained away on average must be estimated.  This can be simplified down to “SMALL, MEDIUM, OR LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER TO BE DRAINED AWAY.  You don’t have to be an engineer trying to calculate fluid dynamics.  Experience at diagnosing drainage problems helps however.

How much water needs to be moved will help determine the type and size of the Surface Drain or French Drain that needs to be installed.  It also helps to determine the size of Drainpipe required for the Drainage System.  A good rule to follow is, “If in doubt, install a larger Drain and Drainpipe.”  Unused Drainage Capacity is better than property damage caused by a Drain that is overwhelmed by too much water.

For home and small business

use typical materials used are:

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

3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch Drainpipes —

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

French Drains move more water than Surface Drains —

French Drains move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water

Surface Drains move Surface Water only

Surface Drains look nicer than French Drains in most cases

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

The Drainage Curb Fitting

is installed when the desired exit point for the French Drain will release the Drainage Water into the Street.   The Drainage Curb Fitting is rectangular in shape and made to be installed through the curb.  A small section of Curb is cut out with a concrete saw.  The Section is a few inches wider than the Drainage Curb Fitting.  We then install new concrete around the curb fitting.  Once the concrete has dried, the Drainpipe coming from a French Drain or Surface Drain is connected to the Drainage Curb fitting and then covered with dirt.

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!

Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman
Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman

 

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.

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

A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes.  It is a Drain Basin with a Drain Grate on top and a Drainpipe connected on the side.  The Drain Grate may be round or square.

A Channel Drain

is a type of Surface Drain, and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.  It is long and narrow with a grate on top.

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.

6 Inch French Drain Installation
6 Inch French Drain Installation

A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used.  There are several sizes.  Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe.

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

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

A French Drain

is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Downspouts connected to it.
The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part isn’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the lime stone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.
This is OK.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the drain.
DONT COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.

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

Lawn Sprinkler Repair Moore Oklahoma, French Drain

Posted: February 8, 2026 in french drain, sprinkler repair, Sprinkler Repair Service, Sprinkler Service
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Lawn Sprinkler Repair Moore Oklahoma.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair– 405 203 9419

Lots of things can be done to make sure your Sprinkler System is ready to go.  All the Sprinkler Zones should be checked one by one.  The sprinkler heads and valves need to be checked to see if anything needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Sprinkler System Checkup is a Service Provided by Oklahoma Drainage since 1993.

Today we did a sprinkler repair in Norman.  The sprinkler system needed a checkup.

We went through each sprinkler zone and identified several different problems.

Zone 2 had a cracked sprinkler pipe in a flower bed.

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.

Spraying Rotor Sprinkler Repair

Spraying Rotor Sprinkler Head

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.

A Sprinkler Controller can be a big “Headache,” for a Homeowner.

Sprinkler Controller

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

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

Or,If you live in Norman and have water standing on your driveway, consider a Channel Drain Installation.

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

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

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

Installing Drain Pipe from French Drain in Back Yard

Installing Drainpipe from French Drain in Back Yard

Do you have water standing in your yard after a heavy rain?  Do your gutters turn your sidewalk into a moat after a storm.  Worst of all, do you have water seeping into your home or business from Storm-Water runoff?

 

Installing Solid 4 Inch Drain Pipe Between French Drain and Curb

Installing Solid 4 Inch Drainpipe Between French Drain and Curb

Oklahoma Drainage can help with these and many other “standing water” and ” Drainage Problems. We can diagnose your drainage problem and design a drainage system to fit your specific needs.  In Business since 1993.  

We utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basin Drains, Trench Drains, Basement Drains, and Sump Pumps.

 

We service all of 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.

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

Drainage System Installation Moore Oklahoma

Posted: February 5, 2026 in french drain, French Drain Installation
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Drainage System Installation Moore Oklahoma.

A Basic Drainage System is a Type of Drain which is called an “Intake.”  Connected to a Pipe which is called a “Transition.” The Transition runs to an “Exit.” This is where the water is taken to get rid of.

Oklahoma Drainage installs 3 types of Intake Drains.  (French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains.)

Moore Oklahoma

was the location of our most recent French Drain Installation.  Our customer had a problem that is very common.  Every time it rained, she had a large pond in her back yard.  Water stood there so long that her normally nice Bermuda Grass died out because it was under water so long.

Her house was in a new subdivision, and her house was one of the first houses to be built.  When she moved in she had no neighbors and no Drainage Issues.  As new houses were built behind her and, on both sides, the standing water in her back yard started to be a problem and progressively became worse.

Problem Drainage Area

This is a good spot for a French Drain

New Houses are Built Higher

This happens in almost every new housing development.  As new houses come in and are being built, the pad that the houses are built on becomes higher and higher.  Each new builder brings in more and more dirt, so all the water runs downhill on to the neighbors that have existing houses.  The oldest homes in most neighborhoods have the worst drainage problems.  The newer homes are higher.

Installing French Drain

 

 

To solve our customer’s drainage problem,

we installed a 4-inch ADS French Drain with a trench liner and a Soc Filter around the Drainpipe.

To dig the trench for the French Drain, we had to start digging by hand in 6-inch-deep standing water.  As the digging progressed toward the exit point at the street, the water started to drain in the trench before we even had the drainpipe or the gravel installed.  As we dug the mud was put into a wheelbarrow and taken to a waiting dump trailer.  Each shovel of mud had to be hauled away immediately to prevent it becoming a huge muddy mess.

Next, we installed the trench liner in the trench and then placed the ADS French Drainpipe in on top of it.  The only thing left was to bring in 67 grade crushed limestone to fill the French Drain Trench.

The Standing Water

flowed away immediately, and the surrounding ground began to dry out.  Drainage Problem solved.

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

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

 

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

A French Drain

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

 

In the picture above, a gutter is connected to a French Drain.  The water from the gutter causes suction in the French Drain.  It works better as a result.

 

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

Large Amounts of Water

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

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

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

Limiting Factor

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

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

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

 

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

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

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

 

Drainpipe Information

Posted: February 1, 2026 in Channel Drain Installation, drain pipe, Drain Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Drainpipe Information

There are several options for drainpipe used with French Drains and Surface Drains and Channel Drains.

For Home or Small Business, Drainpipe comes in 3 basic sizes.  Three-inch, 4 inch and 6 inch are the most commonly used.

Additionally, there are 3 kinds of drainpipe Aswell.  The 3 varieties are ADS, SD, and 40 schedule.

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.  

ADS Drainpipe

is Black and Flexible.  It comes in “Solid, Perforated, and Perforated with Sock.”

ads 4inch 6 inch

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

 

The above picture is ADS Solid 6 inch and 4 inch.

French Drain Installation

French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

The Above Picture is a French Drain Installation in progress.  The Pipe is ADS perforated 4 inch pipe with Soc.

Perforated French Drainpipe with Soc

Perforated French Drainpipe with Soc

Drainpipe Applications

The Black Pipe shown above is Perforated with thousands of small holes.  The pipe is inside a black Neoprene Soc.  The Sock is a filter to keep the pipe clean and Free of Debris.  The white fabric shown above is a Trench Liner that provides additional protection for the Perforated ADS Drainpipe.

Sewer and Drain PVC Pipe

Sewer and Drain (SD) PVC Drainpipe.

Next, we have Sewer and Drainpipe or (SD) for short.  It is a smooth wall drainpipe that is Rigid and nonflexible.

A Surface Drain Drainage System is being installed in the above picture.

The White PVC pipe shown above is 4 inch.

Finally, we have 40 schedule PVC.  It looks exactly like the SD pipe shown above but there are differences.

40 Schedule pipe is much Heavier.  The walls are much thicker than SD Pipe.  It has a higher level of Resin in the PVC Plastic.

40 Schedule PVC pipe is even more rigid and stiff.  It is extremely nonflexible.

SD Pipe

SD comes in Solid and A Perforated Variety.  It doesn’t normally come with a Soc Option.  If you want SD Perforated Pipe with a Soc.  You will have to buy the Soc and put it on yourself.  That option is rarely done by drainage contractors.

4o Schedule Comes only in a Solid Pipe Option.  Perforated 40 Schedule is not available.

4o Schedule normally isn’t used much for Drainage.  It is intended for High Pressure Water Applications.

I have installed 40 schedule Drainage Systems, but they are rare.  40 Schedule Drainage Systems are very much OVERBUILT!  They don’t break or wear out.  In most cases they last longer than the people who own them.

They cost many times more than SD or ADS Drainpipe.

Forty Sechedule Drain Pipe

Flood Prevention Forty Schedule Drainpipe

40 Schedule Drainage systems are far and away the most difficult to install.  The Drainage Contractor or Person who installs one must be highly skilled and experienced.  The pipe is extremely stiff and unforgiving.  All measurements must be precise.

Drainpipe Size

is critical.   4 inch and 6 inch are the most common Drainpipe sizes.  Three-inch Drainpipe can be used but should normally be avoided.  They are usually too small.  It doesn’t take much water to overwhelm them.

Four-inch is the most common size used but 6 inch is being used more and more.

As a General Rule, you should not connect more than 3 water inputs to one 4-inch pipe, or it will become overwhelmed much of the time.  Three Gutters can be connected to a 4-inch pipe.  Three Drain basins can be connected to a 4 inch pipe too.  Or some other combination of those two. One long stretch of French drain can too if it isn’t much over 60 feet in length.

If in doubt, use a 6-inch Pipe.

ADS vs SD

I would say that 80 percent of all drainage systems use ADS.  Roughly 20 percent use SD.  Less than 1 percent use 40 schedule.

For Me, ADS holds up a little better than SD and is easier to install.

My Experience

ADS and SD purchased from your local Depot type store are inferior.  They are cheaply made with low levels of Resin in the pipe.  The drainpipes don’t last very long.  They can be damaged by tree roots or the ground shifting in a short amount of time.

SD drain pipe

SD Drainpipe can crack or break

I recommend purchasing ADS and SD from professional contractor suppliers.  In Oklahoma City Ewing and Davis Pipe are very good and sell a good product.

Gutter Connection to French Drain, French Drain Information, Bernoulli Principle.

Posted: January 17, 2026 in french drain, French Drain Installation
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Gutter Connection to French Drain.  Oklahoma Drainage Recommends connection of Gutter Downspouts to French Drains where possible.

Water coming from the Gutter Downspout is moving faster than the water already in the French Drain.  It causes suction in the French Drain Behind the Gutter.  The additional suction causes the French Drain to work even better than normal, moving more water faster.  This is called the ” Bernoulli Principle.”

French Drains are Designed to protect foundations.

What is a French Drain? Click if you arent sure.

This puts the French Drain in close proximity to Gutter Down Spouts.  Rather than have water come off the roof and out the Down Spout and on to the ground below, many times it is much better to tie a Gutter Down Spout Directly into a French Drain or nearby Drainpipe depending on the Drainage System Design.

Connecting The Down Spouts

Directly into a French Drain is much more efficient and causes suction to occur in the French Drain.  Connection of Gutter Down Spouts to a French Drain makes the Drainage System work better.

Connecting Gutter into French Drain System

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.  Quotes are Free.

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

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

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

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 CONNECTED TO GUTTERS

Many different types of Drains can be hooked together by one Drainpipe.  The Drainpipe then running to an Exit Point makes up a Drainage System.

One common type of Drain used in a Drainage System is A “French Drain.”

Sometimes, a French Drain is installed close to a building foundation or in a low area next to a home or business.  This puts the French Drain in close proximity to Gutter Down Spouts.

Rather than have water come off the roof and out the Down Spout and on to the ground below, many times it is much better to tie a Gutter Down Spout Directly into a French Drain or nearby Drainpipe depending on the Drainage System Design.

Gutter Downspouts

Connecting The Down Spouts Directly into a French Drain is much more efficient and causes suction to occur in the French Drain.  Connection of Gutter Down Spouts to a French Drain makes the Drainage System work better.

French Drain Installation

Gutter connected to French Drain.

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.  
 
 
 
 

Oklahoma City Channel Drain, Sprinkler Repair, French Drain, Sump Pump

Posted: January 14, 2026 in Channel Drain, french drain, sprinkler repair, Sprinkler Repair, Sump Pump, Sump Pump Installation
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Oklahoma City Channel Drain Installation, Oklahoma City French Drain

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

Driveway Drain, Channel Drain, Sidewalk Drain Installation, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore

DRAINS INSTALLED IN CONCRETE –

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

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

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

Oklahoma Drainage

Before

After

channel drain driveway

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

Channel drains are of two kinds, Metal or Composite.

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

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

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

Oklahoma City Channel Drain

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

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

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

NDS Grey Channel Drain Running Across Driveway
in Edmond

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

Channel Drain Set in Concrete

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

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

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

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

 

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419

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

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

The Transition

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

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.

 

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.

Rainbird Sprinkler Valve

Rainbird Sprinkler Valve

The Sprinkler Valve in the picture above was taken out of the ground after the pipe froze and broke on the right side.  You can see the crack in the PVC pipe.  Of course, I had to clean all the mud off the valve before I took the picture.

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)

Tree roots can twist or break sprinkler pipes running into sprinkler valves.  Magnolia Trees are really bad about this.  Oak trees can cause damage too.

Driving something heavy across your yard can crush sprinkler valves.  Usually riding lawnmowers don’t cause damage but any truck or car will if you drive over a valve.

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.

Emergency Sprinkler Repair

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

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.

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
Tags: , , , ,
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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

 

 

Curb Outlet Installation, French Drain, Surface Drain, Sprinkler Repair Service.

Posted: January 6, 2026 in Curb Outlet Installation, french drain, sprinkler repair
Tags: , , , ,
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Curb Outlet Installation, French Drain, Surface Drain, Sprinkler Repair Service.

Curb Outlet Installation. Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has installed Curb Outlets for French Drains and Surface Drains Since 1993.

If you want to tackle this yourself, the following Information will be helpful.

Curb Outlet installation is usually too much “Specialization,” for a “Week-End-Warrior” or your Brother-In-Law to do.

However!

Any Determined Person with Basic Skills can do it.

 

Before you ever build a Drainage System, you need to decide where you are going to take the problem water too.   Most residential Drainage Systems release water farther on down the hill or release it out into the street.  Street release is either over the curb or through the curb.

Curb outlet for French drain

Curb Outlet for French Drain

It is a good idea to do a little research on the effects and liabilities of releasing water at your home.  What does the city think if you release water through the curb vs over the curb?  What does your downhill neighbor think if you are releasing water into his yard?

Some Drainage System Locations have many options for ” Exits.”  Others have very few.

Don’t Start a Drainage System if you don’t have a good place for the water to exit!

This is even more important, if your Drainage System needs to be a “Flood Prevention System.”  We talked about this in the previous blogs on Drainage.

A Flood Prevention System may need more than one exit to increase the Drainage Systems Capacity.

OK, So you have a good Water Exit Strategy and have identified where the water is going to go.

Let’s go back and talk about Pop Up Emitters and Curb Outlets.

A Pop Up emitter is used to release water down a hill or over a curb and into the street.

Pop up emitter next to sidewalk

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

 

new curb outlet

Curb outlet with more than 6 inches of fall

 

Pop up emitter and ADS

Pop-Up Emitter before Installation

Water hits the Emitter and fills it until the water pressure lifts the lid and the water drains out.

Good “Fall” or ” Slope“

is necessary for a pop up emitter to work properly.  Many times, a Drainage Pipe does not run downhill enough for a Drainage System to work well. You need “Slope” for your drain to work.   Water may move very slowly and never lift the lid and it just sits there.

We will talk about having the correct amount of “Fall” or “Slope” in a Drainage System in the next blog.

Curb fittings or outlets is the other way to release water.

 

cement curb outlet

Curb Outlet as an Exit Point for a French Drain in Edmond

First off,  For your average DIY Guy.  Installing a Curb outlet may be beyond your skill set or capacity.  If that is the case just place a Pop-Up Emitter up against the curb and go on about your business.

That being said, you may still want or need a Curb Outlet set in concrete.

If you are good with concrete and a concrete saw, this option poses no problem.  If this option seems too much for you, it probably is!  Consider sub-contracting the curb outlet.  In higher populated areas, finding someone to do “Light” concrete work is relatively easy.  You still can save money by installing the rest of the Drainage System yourself.

If you are still going to install the “Curb Outlet,” here are the steps for a “First Timer.”

Installing a Curb fitting Yourself Isn’t Easy

In 34 years of service, Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has installed over 2000 curb outlets.

If you are comfortable with your Skills using a Concrete Saw and working with a small amount of concrete, you can install your own curb fitting.

Step 1 Find a Curb outlet fitting.  They are round on one side where the drainpipe connects and rectangular on the other to fit in the cut-out area for the Curb outlet.

Curb outlet fitting

Curb outlet fitting

They are sold in many Drainage Supply Businesses.  You may not find them at “Lowes” or ” Home Depot”.  It varies.  If a Specialized Drain Supply business is not available then use a “Heat and Air” Floor vent as your curb outlet.  They are made of metal in most cases but still will work very well.  I have done this many times.  The floor vent is typically wider and thinner than a standard Curb Outlet Fitting.  Just cut a wider hole in the curb.

Step 2 Watch an instructional safety video on using a concrete saw.

Step 3 Rent or buy a concrete saw.  A used one can be found in pawn shops for about 300$ to 600$.  A New one will run around a Thousand Dollars.

a Rental will run about 50$ to 150$ depending on your area.

 

Find a Curb Outlet Fitting

Step 4 Find a Curb outlet that matches the size of your Pipe.  If you have a 4 inch Drain pipe then install a 4 inch curb outlet.   Sometimes a Six inch Curb outlet is too big to install in many roadside curbs.  It is too tall in many cases.  In most situations if you want a curb outlet and have a Six inch Drain Pipe, you must install two 4 inch outlets side by side.

If you have the need for a six inch Drainpipe, that means you have a lot of water to move.  You don’t want to create a bottle neck at the curb by installing a 4 inch curb fitting as your exit on a Six-Inch Drainpipe.

What you need to do is dig a large hole at the curb so you have room to work.  Next you attach a 6 inch “Y” fitting onto your drain pipe above the curb several feet.  You then install Two Reducer Bushings in both outlets of the “Y” fitting.  Next you attach 4 Inch ADS Drainpipe to the outlets and run two 4 inch ADS Drainpipes to the Curb.  Now you install two 4 inch curb fittings side by side.

It is very important

to use ADS Pipe coming out of the 6 Inch “Y” fitting.  It is Flexible and can be easily bent to fit your application.   PVC Pipe is rigid and won’t bend.  Very few people can do this process using PVC.  In 33 Years of installing Drains, I have only done it 3 times using PVC.  It is very Difficult and Frustrating.

Step 5 Watch a Video on Light Concrete Work if available.

Step 6 Connect the curb fitting to the drainpipe and install cement around it.  I have had the most success using a ” Quick Set” concrete that comes in a small bucket and has an “Acrylic” Additive or Base.

I don’t recommend cutting the curb yourself and installing a curb outlet if you are only going to do this once in your life.  If you are or will become a drainage contractor, then this is a skill that you definitely need.

 

 

Sprinkler System Checkup Edmond, Service, Repair

Lots of things can be done to make sure your Sprinkler System is ready to go.  All the Sprinkler Zones should be checked one by one.  The sprinkler heads and valves need to be checked to see if anything needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Sprinkler System Checkup is a Service Provided by Oklahoma Drainage since 1993.

Today we did a sprinkler repair in Norman.  The sprinkler system needed a checkup.

We went through each sprinkler zone and identified several different problems.

Zone 2 had a cracked sprinkler pipe in a flower bed.

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

 

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