French Drain Considerations
French Drain Benefit That I Never Expected
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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!
