Posts Tagged ‘French Drain mistakes’

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

Posted: September 23, 2024 in french drain, French Drain Help, French Drain Information, French Drain mistakes
Tags: , , ,
0

French Drain Mistakes

 

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 Considerations,French Drain Problems, French Drain Stops Working

Posted: April 30, 2023 in french drain
Tags: , , ,
0

French Drain Considerations

 

French Drain Benefit That I Never Expected

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

Please “Like” at the top of the page if you find any of the French Drain Information Below Helpful.  Leave Comments or questions at the bottom.  You may also text me directly with questions to 405 203 9419.

My Name is Blane Callen.  I have owned and operated Oklahoma Drainage LLC since 1993.  Oklahoma Drainage has installed over 4000 Drainage Systems during that time.

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.

Motivation

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.

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.

To Start, The Biggest French Drain Mistake is  a 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.

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

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

“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 Drain Pipe.  By looking at the French Drain on the surface, it will look fine.

You won’t be able to tell if some of the Drainage Water Stayed inside the French Drain.  Everything will look OK, but it wont be.  If any type of tree is near by, the tree roots will seek out the water that is left in a French drain.   Tree roots attack the French Drain Pipe 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 Mistakes, French Drain Problems, French Drain Definition

Posted: December 17, 2022 in french drain
Tags: , , ,
9

Don’t put dirt on top of a French Drain!!!!!

 

It prevents surface water from entering the French Drain. French Drain’s have gravel or crushed stone at the surface to allow water to flow freely into the perforated French Drain Pipe at the bottom of the drainage trench. If you don’t like how a French Drain looks, you should consider:

  1. Do you know exactly what a French Drain is?
  2. Do you know exactly what a French Drain is Designed to Do?

Putting Dirt on top of your French Drain is similar to trying to put gas in your car by opening your gas cap like you always do.  Then taking the gas pump hose and spraying gas all over the roof of your car.  A drop or two of gas might trickle down and accidentally go into your open gas cap.  You sure won’t be able to drive very far!  Seems very silly doesn’t it.  

I come across French Drains all the time with dirt or sod on top of them.  Don’t get me wrong! I make a good living fixing or replacing Drains of all kinds that are installed by people or companies that don’t know what they are doing.  “Landscape Companies” and “Brother-in-Laws,”  seem to make the most mistakes.  Bless them!!

This is not a French Drain!!!

 

Surface Drain installation

Surface Drain

 

This is not a French Drain either!

 

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

 

French Drain under walk way

French Drain installed under walkway

 

This is a French Drain!  It is a perforated pipe placed in a drainage trench.  The French Drain Pipe is placed in a Drainage Trench with a French Drain Liner in the trench and a Neo-preen filter or “Soc” around the Pipe.  The trench is then filled with gravel or crushed stone of some kind.

French Drain along walk

French Drain along walkway

walk way french drain

Completed French Drain under walk way

 

 

French Drain Mistakes, Problems, and bad practices – THINGS NOT TO DO! —

Posted: May 6, 2020 in DIY Drain Installation, DIY French Drain, Drain Installation, french drain, French Drain Photos
Tags: , ,
0

French Drain Mistakes.

Recently we installed a Drainage System in NE Edmond.  Our customer had purchased a new home at a large discount.  The new home had sat empty for three years because of all the drainage problems on the West side of the house in the front, side, and back yard.  The builder could not sell the home.   Originally The builder of the home had installed a French Drain to solve these problems.  Whoever originally installed the system had no idea what they were doing.  Many mistakes were made.

Once the house was finally sold at a very large discount, the new homeowner hired us to come in and assess the situation.  We determined that the drainage problems could be solved.  Our quotes for drainage system installations are always free with no obligation.

Here are some of the problems we found:

  1.  A French Drain was installed, but perforated pipe was not used in the last 60 feet of the French Drain.  Crushed Limestone was used to cover the French Drain Pipe in the drainage trench, but since the pipe in the trench was solid and not perforated, the water had no way to get into the French Drain.  THIS IS LIKE PUTTING GAS INTO YOUR CAR AT THE GAS STATION BY POURING IT ON THE ROOF?
  2. In the areas where perforated pipe was used, it was installed incorrectly.  No type of filter was installed to protect the French Drain.  Neither a “Trench Liner” or a Neo-Preen soc was used to protect the perforated pipe from getting clogged.  The soil was very sandy in this NE Edmond neighborhood.  Here is the Pipe that we dug up.  Sand had completely filled the French Drain Pipe.  It was so heavy, that we had to cut it into sections just to lift it out of the trench.

    3.  Finally, the thing that left me scratching my head and made me speechless was this!  Much of the French Drain in the back yard would need to flow up hill a substantial distance to reach the exit point of the drainage system.  I can’t explain this or make it up, but somebody got paid to do this.  I’m sorry! I need to just let this go.  Anyway

     

     

    We ripped up all the bad French Drain Pipe that was filled with sand.  We installed perforated French Drain Pipe that had a Neo-Preen soc around it and we installed a trench liner as well.

  3. Installing French Drain

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

    Our customer is very happy!  I checked on the progress of the yard drying out yesterday, a week after the install.  He now has a normal firm back yard.

    French drain gravel

    Installing gravel on French drain

    The Bermuda grass will soon grow over the trench with the limestone.  If you have read my other blogs, you know how important this is and what it means.  CATCH YOU guys’ NEXT TIME!

 

 

  1. 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!

    French Drain Installation

    Oklahoma Drainage  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.