Posts Tagged ‘edmond oklahoma french drain installation’

Drainage System Installation is Provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.

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

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler Valve Replacement

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

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

Channel Drain Installation

Channel Drain Installation

We Install Drainage Systems to fit various needs for home owners an businesses.  A Drainage System, can utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains or Sump Pumps as the intake part to the Drainage System.  The Drain or Sump Pump brings water into the Drainpipe.  The Drainpipe takes the water to the ” Exit.”  Which is Either a “Curb Outlet” or a “ Pop Up Emitter.”

The Three parts of A Drainage System are:   THE INTAKE (French Drain or Surface Drain ) etc.  The TRANSITION ( The Drain Pipe ) which can be many sizes or type. The EXIT ( A Curb Outlet or Pop Up Emitter )

new curb outlet

Drainpipe going out through the curb Outlet

Curb Outlet

new curb outlet

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

The Drainage part of our company name means that we solve water problems for people in Oklahoma.  Heavy rain is becoming more common.  Back in 1993 when I first started, a hard rain was considered to be about an Inch per/hour.  It was fairly rare but not too uncommon.  Today things are different.  A weather report of rain fall at or above 4 inches per/hour was not uncommon in 2019.  Excess water causes all types of damage to property both residential and commercial.

pea gravel french drain

French Drain wit Pea Gravel

Our Drainage Systems drain water away from places you don’t want it to be.  You might have water standing along the foundation of your house, or inside your basement.  You might have water on your driveway or flowerbed too.

Designing a French Drain or a Drainage System

When I talk to a potential customer while doing a Drainage System estimate, I take a lot of things into consideration.  First I have the Customer show me where water is standing or where it is going that it shouldn’t.  This is part of defining the specific problem area.  Sometimes the Water Problem Area is larger and more involved than the customer realizes.  Once the Water Problem Area is clearly defined, the next step is to determine how the water is getting to the problem area.  Many times there is more than one Water Source to the Water Problem area.

A big mistake

in Drainage System Design is to stop once the most obvious  Water Source is found.  A Drainage System Designer must be a detective to some degree.  For Example:  Water running down the hill and onto the back patio might be the most obvious water source.  Sub-surface water or a neighbor’s new gutter downspout could also be contributing.  Most of the time water gets into the problem area from more than one source.

Next you must decide where to take the water.  This is determining an Exit Point for the Drainage System.  If possible you want your exit point to be down hill from the problem area.  If it is up hill in all directions from the problem area, then the only solution is a Sump Pump.

Once an exit Point is determined, you must ask yourself if there is any way to install two exit points.  Usually this can only work when an exit point can work on both ends of a Drainage System.  The benefit of two Exit Points in a Drainage System is it greatly increases the water capacity for the Drainage System.  It can move much more water faster during a heavy rain than a system with just one Exit Point.

Most Drainage Systems can only utilize one Exit Point.  In 33 years of Drainage System Installation, I would say 10% of our Drainage Systems have two Exit Points.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Next we have to decide what type of drain to install in the problem area.  If it is a small area with one water source, usually a Surface Drain is best.  If the water problem area is large with one or several water sources, a French Drain is usually installed.

If you have several problem drainage areas,

you must use larger Drainpipe if you want to connect them together to one exit point.  Large French Drains should have their own exit point without attaching other Surface Drains or Gutters to them.  It is very common to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area floods.

I just shake my head when I see 3 French Drains and 5 gutters connected into one exit drain pipe. I see this type of design all the time.  Why spend money for a Drainage System that won’t work?  Lots of Cheap Builders and Fly-By-Night Drainage Companies cut corners on Drainage Systems and French Drains on new home construction.

For a French Drain or a Surface Drain or any type of Drainage System, If in doubt, use a larger Drainpipe.  Four Inch Drainpipe is the most common. Six-inch Drainpipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6-inch Drainpipe.

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.

French Drain Information and Installation

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler Valve Replacement

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

FRENCH DRAIN, SURFACE DRAIN, DRAINAGE SYSTEM, OKLAHOMA CITY, EDMOND, NORMAN, LAWTON, DUNCAN, WEATHERFORD

Sump Pump installation

Sump Pump Fed by a Driveway Channel Drain

 

Its very frustrating to have water standing in your basement.  Getting out of your car and stepping immediately into water that goes over the top of your shoe isn’t pleasant. Having an area in your yard that looks like a pond on a regular basis can be very expensive and time consuming.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair specializes in solving these problems and many more unwanted water problems.   We utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps.  Since 1993 we have installed over 2000 drains.  We have learned along the way, how to handle Drainage Issues that can be basic and Simple or Complex and very difficult to handle.  Give us a call for a Free Estimate.

French Drain Installed in Edmond

 

Hard rain in Oklahoma is common.  Many homes and businesses have drainage problems.  Standing water from storm water run-off  can cause damage to grass, trees and shrubs, not to mention foundations, sidewalks and driveways. Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can design and install a drainage system that may be complex using several types of drains, or basic using just a French Drain or a Surface Drain.  It depends on the customer’s needs.

Today was a good day!  We installed a Channel Drain in Norman.   Channel Drains are a big part of our business.  It takes a lot of attention to detail.  Channel Drain installation takes several specific steps.  It is a slow process that takes confidence and experience.  I was able to train a couple of our guys on the complete process.  They learned a lot but are nowhere near ready to solo yet.

Installing Channel Drain Across Sidewalk in Norman

Installing Channel Drain Across Sidewalk in Norman

If you live in Central Oklahoma and need a French Drain to protect your home’s foundation, Give us a call.  A French Drain is a great way to keep water away from cement such as a home foundation or driveway.  When water is left standing near a driveway or sidewalk, it can cause deterioration and cracking.  A French Drain is a Good way to keep water away from problem drainage areas.  We also install Surface Drains of most types and sizes depending on our customer’s needs.

French Drain under walk way

French Drain installed under walkway

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can schedule a free estimate for a drainage system.  A French Drain can be an important part of a Drainage System.  A Drainage System is one or several types of drains connected to an exit point, were the unwanted water is to be released.   A French Drain may be connected to a Surface Drain which in turn may be connected to a gutter down-spout, or Channel Drain.  All the different drains are connected under ground by drain pipe to a Pop-Up Emitter or a Curb fitting to release the water.

Installing French Drain and curb fitting through curb

Installing French Drain and curb fitting through curb

What goes into a Drainage System depends on the individual Drainage Problem.  Some Drainage Problems are Simple and need only one type of Drain Connected to an exit point.  Other Drainage problems require  a more complex solution.

Designing a French Drain or a Drainage System

When I talk to a potential customer while doing a Drainage System estimate, I take a lot of things into consideration.

First, I have the Customer show me where water is standing or where it is going that it shouldn’t.  This is part of defining the specific problem area.  Sometimes the Water Problem Area is larger and more involved than the customer realizes.

Once the Water Problem Area is clearly defined, the next step is to determine how the water is getting to the problem area.  Many times there is more than one Water Source to the Water Problem area.  A big mistake in Drainage System Design is to stop once the most obvious Water Source is found.

A Drainage System Designer must be a detective to some degree.  For Example:  Water running down the hill and onto the back patio might be the most obvious water source.  Sub-surface water or a neighbor’s new gutter downspout could also be contributing.  Most of the time water gets into the problem area from more than one source.

Channel Drain Across Driveway

French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway

Next you must decide where to take the water.  This is determining an Exit Point for the Drainage System.  If possible, you want your exit point to be downhill from the problem area.  If it is up hill in all directions from the problem area, then the only solution is a Sump Pump.

Once an exit Point is determined, you must ask yourself if there is any way to install two exit points.  Usually this can only work when an exit point can work on both ends of a Drainage System.  The benefit of two Exit Points in a Drainage System is it greatly increases the water capacity for the Drainage System.  It can move much more water faster during a heavy rain than a system with just one Exit Point.  Most Drainage Systems can only utilize one Exit Point.  In 21 years of Drainage System Installation,  I would say 10% of our Drainage Systems have two Exit Points.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Next we have to decide what type of drain to install in the problem area.  If it is a small area with one water source, usually a Surface Drain is best.  If the water problem area is large with one or several water sources, a French Drain is usually installed.

If you have several problem drainage areas, you must use larger Drainpipe if you want to connect them together to one exit point.  Large French Drains should have their own exit point without attaching other Surface Drains or Gutters to them.  It is very common to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage Systems Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area floods.

French Drain connected into Drainage System

French Drain connected into Drainage System

I just shake my head when I see 3 French Drains and 5 gutters connected into one exit drainpipe. I see this type of design all the time.  Why spend money for a Drainage System that won’t work?  Lots of Cheap Builders and Fly-By-Night Drainage Companies cut corners on Drainage Systems and French Drains on new home construction.

For a French Drain or a Surface Drain or any type of Drainage System, if in doubt, use a larger Drainpipe.  Four Inch Drainpipe is the most common. Six inch Drainpipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6-inch Drainpipe.

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

grass growing over french drain

Grass Growing Over French Drain

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

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

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

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

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

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

Servicing All of Central and Western Oklahoma Since 1993.

 

FRENCH DRAIN INSTALLATION IN SUN OR SHADE?

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

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.

Emergency Sprinkler Repair is also available.

405 203 9419

Sprinkler Head Installation

Moving 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 DrainsSurface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler Valve Replacement

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

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

Check out Sprinkler System Check-Up

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.

 

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

 

 

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.

Channel Drain Across Driveway

Oklahoma City Channel Drain

FRENCH DRAINS AS PART OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR BY THEMSELVES

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

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

For Example, A four inch French Drain may run across a hillside, transition to solid 4 inch Solid Drain Pipe while running under a sidewalk, then connecting into a 12 inch Surface Drain in a low spot,  Solid Drain Pipe then could continue to a garage foundation where the Solid Drain Pipe changes back to 4 inch French Drain again and runs along the foundation for say 60 feet.  Next the French Drain changes again to 4 inch Solid Drain Pipe and continues under a fence to a Pop-Up Emitter which is the exit point.  This again is just one example of a Drainage System with 2 French Drains and one Surface Drain being the main parts.  This would be considered a “Complex Drainage System.”

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

French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

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

FRENCH DRAIN DESIGN

French Drain Design must take into account many variables.  One consideration for a French Drain that many times is missed, is the type of soil.  French Drain Design must take into account the type of soil that the French Drain runs through.  If the soil is “Tight or made up of Clay, A French Drain Liner may not be necessary.  The Gravel or Limestone that is used to fill the French Drain trench may be all that is needed to maintain the integrity of the trench over time.   This means that dirt will not mix in with the French Drain Gravel and clog it up over time.  This is not the case however if your soil is sandy or loose.

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

Determining the size of the French Drainpipe

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

French Drain Pipe Installation

French Drainpipe Installation

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

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

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 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 Pipe is perforated with thousands of small holes.  In most cases the Drainpipe has a nylon soc around the pipe to act as a filter for the French Drain.

The trench is then filled with some type of small rock or stone.  We typically use crushed 1 inch Limestone to cover the French Drainpipe.  The dirt that was dug out of the trench is taken away or spread out around the French Drain.  The Limestone replaces the dirt and fills the French Drain Trench all the way to the surface. 

Oklahoma Drainage 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

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Recently installed a Drainage System in Nichols Hills.  The Drainage System was made up of a 4-inch French Drain starting in the back yard.  It ran between the garage and the pool.  Several gutters were connected directly into the French Drain.  From this point, we expanded up to a larger 6-inch Drainpipe to handle the added water into the system from the gutters.  In several places the French Drain had to run through areas where Sprinkler Pipes were in the way.  We had to re-rout all the Sprinkler Pipes and Wires under the French Drain.

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler PipesSprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler Valve Replacement

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

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

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

Are there secondary sources of water entering the area.

What are they and how many.

How fast does water enter the area and how often.

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

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

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in  South Oklahoma City.  The 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.

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO LIBRARY!

Photos of French Drains

Pictures of Surface Drains

Photos of Channel Drains

Pictures of Sprinkler System Installation

Photos of Sprinkler Repair

 FRENCH DRAIN IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma DrainageFrench Drain Installation, Drainage System Design,  Drain Repair 

Recently Oklahoma Drainage  installed a large 6 inch French Drain in Edmond.  The customer had water running under his back porch step and into his basement.  We did a Free Drainage Diagnostic and Estimate.  The French Drain design that we proposed would intercept the surface water and subsurface water that was flowing under the steps.  The French Drain design called for a 6 inch French Drain to be installed above and several feet away from the steps.  It would run around the house parallel to the foundation and about 5 feet to the East.  The French Drain would run past the steps to a point where water must cross the French Drain or run up hill to the steps which in this case was not possible.  Once past the steps, the French Drain would transition to Solid 6 inch Drain Pipe and continue on around the house to the Pop-Up Emitter down hill in the side yard.  Along the way we attached several Gutter Down Spouts into the French Drain.

 

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

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.

 

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

 

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

 

 

 

 

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain

 Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to  sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and  grass.  Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t  have gutters, or does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a heavy rain,  or worst of all, is water seeping into your foundation and duct work  after a thunderstorm?  Theses are just a few of the Drainage  Problems that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help with.  We can design a Drainage  System to fit your specific needs.  We install many types  of Drains  to solve many types of problems.    French  Drains, Surface  Drains, Channel  Drains, Basement  Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump  Pumps are utilized.

 

 

4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
Running French Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

Running French Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

Oklahoma Drainage installs Surface Drains in Sidewalks and Driveways as shown above.  We also install French Drains and Channel Drains.  This particular Surface Drain was installed to keep water from running down the driveway into the garage.  Problem solved!

 

Check out our Photo Library.  We have Pictures of French Drains and Pictures of Surface Drains.

IF YOU NEED WATER DRAINED AWAY FROM YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS CALL OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE – 405-203 9419

We install all types of Drainage Systems and French Drains.

French Drain Installation is a primary focus for us.

french drain river rock

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

Since 1993 we have gained a lot of experience addressing drainage problems Drainage problems can be complicated.  The solution is not always clear to the untrained eye. We have repaired or overhauled many french drains and drainage systems that were installed by, “weekend warriors, a brother-in-law, or a landscaping company that also installs drains.”  They all can install Drainage Systems, Just not very well.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has over 26 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  This ensures that a Drainage System that we install won’t have Drain Pipes that are too small, or Surface Drains installed where French Drains Should be placed, or Exit Points that allow water to Stand and become stagnant.  The above examples are just three of many “Pit – Falls” that our experienced Drainage System Experts can easily avoid.

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

 

Our Drainage Systems utilize:

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

Surface Drains, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 12 inch

Channel Drains, 2 inch, and 4 inch

Sump Pumps 3/4 horse to two horse

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

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

 

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

 

 

 

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

Lawton Oklahoma French Drain Installation.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprikler Repair has installed French Drains in Lawton since 1993.  We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

French Drain Installed in Lawton

We Install Drainage Systems to fit various needs for homeowners and businesses.

A Drainage System can

utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains or Sump Pumps as the intake part to the Drainage System.  The Drain or Sump Pump brings water into the Drainpipe.  Next, The Drainpipe takes the water to the ” Exit.”  Which is Either a “Curb Outlet” or a “ Pop Up Emitter.”

The Three parts of A Drainage System are:   THE INTAKE (French Drain or Surface Drain) etc.  The TRANSITION Pipe) which can be many sizes or type. The EXIT (A Curb Outlet or Pop-Up Emitter)

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

The Drainage part of our company name means that we solve water problems for people in Oklahoma.

Heavy rain is becoming more common.

Back in 1993 when I first started, a hard rain was considered to be about an Inch per/hour.  It was fairly rare but not too uncommon.

Today things are different.

A weather report of rainfall at or above 4 inches per/hour was not uncommon in 2019.  Excess water causes all types of damage to property both residential and commercial.

Our Drainage Systems drain water away from places you don’t want it to be.  You might have water standing along the foundation of your house, or inside your basement.  You might have water on your driveway or flowerbed too.

Designing a French Drain or a Drainage System

When I talk to a potential customer while doing a Drainage System estimate, I take a lot of things into consideration.

First, I have the Customer show me where water is standing or where it is going that it shouldn’t.  This is part of defining the specific problem area.

Sometimes the Water Problem Area is larger and more involved than the customer realizes.

Once the Water Problem Area is clearly defined, the next step is to determine how the water is getting to the problem area.  Many times, there is more than one Water Source to the Water Problem area.

A big mistake in Drainage System Design is to stop once the most obvious Water Source is found.

A Drainage System Designer

must be a detective to some degree.  For Example:  Water running down the hill and onto the back patio might be the most obvious water source.  Sub-surface water or a neighbor’s new gutter downspout could also be contributing.  Most of the time water gets into the problem area from more than one source.

Next you must decide where to take the water.  This is determining an Exit Point for the Drainage System.  If possible, you want your exit point to be downhill from the problem area.  If it is up hill in all directions from the problem area, then the only solution is a Sump Pump.

Determine Exit Points

Once an exit Point is determined, you must ask yourself if there is any way to install two exit points.

Usually this can only work when an exit point can work on both ends of a Drainage System.

The benefit of two Exit Points in a Drainage System is it greatly increases the water capacity for the Drainage System.  It can move much more water faster during a heavy rain than a system with just one Exit Point.  Most Drainage Systems can only utilize one Exit Point.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Next, we have to decide what type of drain to install in the problem area.  If it is a small area with one water source, usually a Surface Drain is best.  If the water problem area is large with one or several water sources, a French Drain is usually installed.

If you have several problem drainage areas,

you must use larger Drainpipe if you want to connect them together to one exit point.  Large French Drains should have their own exit point without attaching other Surface Drains or Gutters to them.  It is very common to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage System’s Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area floods.

French Drain connected into Drainage System

French Drain connected into Drainage System

I just shake my head

when I see 3 French Drains and 5 gutters connected into one exit drainpipe. I see this type of design all the time.  Why spend money for a Drainage System that won’t work?  Lots of Cheap Builders and Fly-By-Night Drainage Companies cut corners on Drainage Systems and French Drains on new home construction.

For a French Drain or a Surface Drain or any type of Drainage System, if in doubt, use a larger Drainpipe.  Four Inch Drainpipe is the most common. Six-inch Drainpipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6-inch Drainpipe.

French Drain Installation with colored river rock and Edging

French Drain with colored river rock and Edging

Wow!

A hard rain came through last night.   Hard rains in Oklahoma typically cause flooding. Standing water is never a good thing.  It causes damage to grass, trees, sidewalks, foundations, and driveways. We can help if you have Drainage Problems with your home or small business.  If you live in Central Oklahoma, we can provide a free estimate for a drainage system that will address your specific Drainage Problems.

Get rid of standing water!

Oklahoma Drainage utilize:

French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basin Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, and Sump Pumps. We install a variety of drains to solve a variety of Drainage Problems.  If you live in Central Oklahoma and have trouble with standing water after a thunderstorm, or if your driveway turns into a moat after a hard rain, or worst of all, you have water seeping into your home, give us a call

 

Drain Pipe Under sidewalk

Installing Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Drainage System Installation in Norman

 

Oklahoma Drainage designs and installs Drainage Systems. Water Drainage is very important to home owners and small businesses. Standing Water can cause all kinds of problems.  Concrete in driveways, sidewalks, and foundations can be damaged.  Prolonged Drainage Problems allow mold to occur along with deterioration to plants, trees, and property.

.

The Drainpipe used by Oklahoma Drainage consists of: ADS Perforated with Soc Drainpipe, ADS Solid Drainpipe, Sewer and Drain Drain Pipe, PVC 40 schedule used as Pipe, 200 Class PVC used as Drainpipe.  Using a variety of Drainpipe and Drains allow us to address Drainage Problems that range from simple to complex and from standard to unique.

Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and grass.  Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t have gutters?

Does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a heavy rain?   Worst of all, does water seep into your foundation and duct work after a thunderstorm.  These are just a few of the Drainage Problems that We can help with.

We can design a Drainage System to fit your specific needs.  We install many types of Drains to solve many types of problems.   Oklahoma Drainage utilizes: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump  Pumps.

French Drain in grass
A French Drain can protect your foundation!

 

 

 

 

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

Oklahoma Drainage also installs a variety of other types of Drains.  Our Drainage Systems may utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.  In the past 26 years, we have installed French Drains to keep water away from home and business foundations, Surface Drains to keep water away from sidewalks and driveways,  Trench Drains, and French Drains to keep standing water out of flowerbeds and yards, and Sump Pumps to remove water from basements and outdoor low lying areas.

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

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

 

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

 

 

For most of us our home or business is our most important investment.  Standing Water can cause damage to what is important to us.  High Water from Storm-Water Runoff deteriorates concrete and cement.  This means that our driveways, sidewalks, and foundations need protection from prolonged exposure to Standing Water.  (Not to mention damage to plants, trees, and grass) WE have have been solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  If you live in Central Oklahoma we can quickly provide a free estimate.