Posts Tagged ‘French Drain Help’

French Drain Common Mistakes, What You Should Avoid! Photos too

Posted: September 23, 2024 in french drain, French Drain Help, French Drain Information, French Drain mistakes
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French Drain Common Mistakes

What is a French Drain?

French Drain Benefit That I Never Expected

Take a minute and CLICK the above link.  It makes me smile!

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

Once you have decided that you need a French Drain and understand what it is and how it works, There are many MISTAKES that should be avoided.  Oklahoma Drainage has been installing most all variations of French Drains since 1993.

French Drain Mistakes

are very common and unfortunate.   Mistakes are caused by many different reasons.  One or several mistakes can cause a New French Drain to perform poorly, or not at all.  Time and money are wasted.  People with Water Damage need to have their drainage system work correctly and last a long time.

People who have need for French Drain Installation are highly motivated.  Unwanted water in your AC Floor Ducts for example, motivates folks to do something quickly.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

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

Cracking Driveways and Foundations from Water Damage is also an “ATTENTION GETTER.”

In the picture below, look at the water stains on the Driveway.  A correctly installed 6 Inch French Drain has solved the Standing Water Problem.  The driveway will stay dry and last.

French Drain Versatility

is a wonderful thing.   Correct French Drain Installation solves a wide variety of water drainage problems.

Still Mistakes Are Made.

The Biggest Mistake

To Start, The Biggest French Drain Mistake is Unqualified Drainage Diagnosis.   This is taking bad advice from someone who really doesn’t know.   Bad advice leads to a Drainage System that performs poorly or won’t work at all. This Obviously, occurs all the time in today’s world, whether It be French Drain Diagnosis or Auto Repair, or any other contract work you might want done.

Additional mistakes that relate to Unqualified Drainage Diagnosis are:

1.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor that can’t provide good current References.

2.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor that has been in business less than 5 years.

3.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor that doesn’t specialize in French Drain Installation.

4.  Selecting a Drainage Contractor Who needs money up front.

In Review, If you have a French Drain Contractor who needs money up front to begin work or is also good at landscaping or pushing a lawn mower, then you should RUN!  You need References! You need to know how long they have been in business.

Another Big Mistake

The Second Most Common French Drain Mistake Is NOT DECIDING if a French Drain should be a part of a “Drainage System,” or a “Flood Prevention System.  You need to understand the difference between the two and choose one.  A French Drain Expert can help you make that decision.   A French Drain can be a part of A Drainage System or a part of a Flood Prevention System.

A Drainage System drains water away from a Water Problem Area over time.

A Flood Prevention System prevents water from ever getting into the Problem Drainage Area in the first place.

Flood Prevention Systems Intercept Surface Water and Sub-Surface water at the same time.  The pipes are larger and more robust than the pipes in a Drainage System.  Flood Prevention Systems are more expensive and harder to install as well.

The Third mistake that is made with a French Drain being installed is lack of a Trench Liner or Pipe Filter being used.  The Trench Liner maintains the integrity of the Drainage Trench and keeps the Gravel or Crushed Stone that is used clean.

The Pipe Filter keeps Debris out of the French Drain Pipe.

Both of these things ensure longevity and functionality of a French Drain.  I have Installed French Drains all the way back to 1993 that still work great!

Setting The Fall

The 4th mistake with a French Drain Installation is ,” Not Setting The Fall of the French Drain.”  “Setting The Fall,” is a process that makes sure that water flows through the French Drain Trench at a Constant Speed.  French Drains always cross ground that is irregular.  They cross humps and low areas.  This process is done by French Drain Professionals or Individuals who are accomplished and understand the two ways that “Fall may  be set.”

“Bad Fall,” For a French Drain means that water will stand in several low areas of the French Drain underground.    Once the French Drain has finished draining, it should be empty.   You want all the water to drain out of the French Drainpipe.  By looking at the French Drain on the surface, It will look fine.    You wont be able to tell if some of the Drainage Water Stayed inside the French Drain.  Everything will look OK, but it won’t be.  If any type of tree is nearby, the tree roots will seek out the water that is left in a French drain.   Tree roots attack the French Drainpipe causing damage.  Soon French Drain Performance will drop off.  In may quit working completely over time.

TREE ROOTS WON’T ATTACK A FRENCH DRAINPIPE THAT IS EMPTY!

 

 

 

 

French Drain Help, Sprinkler Repair, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond

Posted: April 7, 2024 in french drain, French Drain Design, French Drain Help, French Drain Information, sprinkler repair, sprinkler repair contractor, Sprinkler Repair Service
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Harsh weather in Oklahoma seems to be more common.  In 2023, Norman Oklahoma had 4 inches of rain in two hours.  That’s the most rain in a short time that I can remember.  Storm-Water runoff can cause damage to all types of property and buildings.  Water getting inside your house is never a good thing.  A Drainage System that utilizes a French Drain can help.

Installing Decorative French Drain In Norman Oklahoma

Installing Decorative French Drain The Right Way

Oklahoma Drainage Installs 4 Inch and 6 French Drains.

A French Drain is the “Intake” part of a Drainage System.  Simply Put, the French Drain is the part of the Drainage System that takes in the water in the low areas and gets it into the pipe.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain With Trench Liner and Pipe Filter In Blanchard Oklahoma

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter In Blanchard Oklahoma

 

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

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

French Drain

French Drain Near Driveway

French Drain Protecting Driveway

French Drains can be complex or simple.  A Simple French Drain System is a French Drain Connected to an Exit Drainpipe that is released out a pop up emitter.

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.

Sprinkler Valve Installation

Sprinkler Valve Replacement

 

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.

Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

Drainpipe Under Sidewalk

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.

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.

Do I need a French Drain?

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

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

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

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

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

Central and Western Oklahoma is our Service Area since 1993.  

                                                           (405) 203-9419

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

1.  Driveways and Sidewalks can crack and deteriorate

2.  Foundations can crack move or shift

3.  Vents and ducts can fill with water

4.  Mold can be allowed to grow

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

Too much water is never a good thing!

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

What is the Primary Water Problem?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

consideration.  (Larger Pipe – Larger Cost to Install)

6 Inch French Drain Installation
6 Inch French Drain Installation

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

DSC00490
4 Inch Drainpipe running under sidewalk

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

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

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

The back yard Exit Pipe

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

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

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

 

 

French Drain Basic Design, Do It Yourself, DIY, French Drain Information, Necessary Details, Drainage Trench —

Posted: February 20, 2020 in french drain, French Drain Installation
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French Drains Basic Design.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide Basic Information for its customers concerning French Drain installation and Service.

French Drain Basic Design is fairly Straightforward.  All types of Drainage Systems involve digging Drainage Trenches and Installing Drainpipes.

One issue that must be addressed is “Slope or Fall” of the of the Drainpipe in the Drainage Trench.   The Drainpipe must run downhill to the exit point to move the water away from the problem area.

 

drain trench

Drainage Trench Running Downhill

 

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

In many cases slope is easy to determine if the distance from the drain to the exit is obliviously down hill.   The trouble is installing a French Drain or a Drainage System where the drainpipe is not always on a pronounced slope.  A slight slope can be hard to see. If the ground looks level then the water won’t flow very quickly, If at all.

If the entrance drain is slightly higher than the exit, say only a few inches, then the water will flow across level ground to the exit point.  Problem is, the water will move very slowly as long as water is still coming into the French Drain.  It pushes the water in front of it out of the exit very slowly.  Movement will stop when water stops coming into the Drain.  It will stay in the pipe and just sit there till the next time it rains.

No Slope

If you are Installing a Drainage System across level ground, it will never drain very well.

If you are not sure if a Drainage System is possible because there might not be enough Slope, there is a simple test you can run.  This test takes a good bit of digging.

Start digging the trench where the drainpipe will run.   Lets say for example that its about 60 feet.  Start digging where the drain will be.  Typically, a 4-inch drainpipe will need to be installed in a trench 8 to 16 inches deep, depending on your needs.  Dig about 10 feet from where the drain will be toward the exit point.

Once you have dug a trench at least 8 inches deep, and about 10 feet long toward the exit, take a hose and place it in the trench where the drain will be installed. There should not be pipe in the trench at this time, just the empty trench.

Turn on the hose so a small amount of water is coming out.  The water will start to flow down the trench from where the drain will be, toward the exit.  Again, there is no drainpipe in the trench.

trench water test

Water test for a Drainpipe

Watch the water as it flows down the Drainage Trench.   In some areas it will flow quickly which is good.  Look for areas where water flows more slowly and begins to pool.  Once this occurs, turn off the hose and get your shovel.  With water still in the trench, dig downhill from the pooling spot.  Remove the dirt that is slowing the waters flow toward the exit.  Repeat this process until you have reached the exit point of the Drainage System.

This may seem like a lot of unnecessary work.  Believe me it is worth it.  Once the water flows at a fairly steady rate all the way to the exit, you have ” Set the Flow of the Drain.”

This process is called “Setting The flow.”

There are benefits to taking this process seriously.

First it will tell you if the flow is even possible for the Drainage System that you want to install.  If you can’t get the water to flow to the Exit Point Cover up your Drainage Trench and Consider Other Options because this particular Drainage Design will not work.  If you can redesign your system by moving your drain pipe or your exit point, then do so.  A Sump Pump may be your only option if moving the drainpipe or the exit does not improve things.   Sump Pumps will be covered in a future blog.

Second, If you were successful in setting the flow, then you will roughly know how fast the water will flow in your Drainage System.  It will give you a “Worse Case Scenario” for your Drain’s Performance.

Water will always flow better and faster and more efficiently in a Drainpipe, than in a trench.

If the water is flowing pretty good in the Drainage Trench without a Drainpipe in it yet, then it will flow even better once the Drainpipe is installed.

This process is much better than blindly digging a drainage trench and installing a Drainage System.  It will keep you from installing something that doesn’t work.

 

WHAT IS A FRENCH DRAIN? French Drain Installation, Servicing Oklahoma City, Norman, Lawton, Duncan

Posted: October 2, 2014 in french drain, French Drain Contractor, French Drain Repair, What is a French Drain
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Oklahoma Drainage – Drainage System Installation, French Drain Installation, Since 1993.

Servicing: Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Lawton, Duncan, and all of Central and Western Oklahoma

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

A French Drain can protect your foundation!

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

 

 

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

 

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

Gravel or Crushed Limestone

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

In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed. This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time. It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it. It is a good practice to always install a Trench Liner.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

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

 

sidewalk channel drain

Channel Drain set in the Sidewalk

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

The main downfall

of a French Drain is that they, for the most part isn’t very pretty. They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.

Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the limestone. Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel. This is Ok. It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the drain.

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

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

WHERE WE HAVE WORKED!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is a description of other recent work.

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

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

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

What is a French Drain? – Oklahoma City, Norman

Posted: December 12, 2012 in french drain, French Drain Information, French Drain Installation, French Drain Installation by Oklahoma Drainage
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Oklahoma Drainage — Installing French Drain, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps Sprinkler Repair and Sod since 1993

French Drain Installation

French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

A French Drain

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Drainage System Installation in Norman

 

surface Drain installation

Surface Drain installation

The picture above is a Surface Drain.

Large Water Volume

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

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

French Drains Can Look Great!  
 

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