HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH DRAIN LOOK GOOD!
French Drains are wonderful and helpful providing many benefits for many years when installed correctly. I have installed French Drains as far back as 1993, That STILL WORK GREAT AND DO THEIR JOB!
This Blog does not focus on the details of Functionality or Longevity of French Drains, but how to make them look better.
Sod installed next to French Drain
This French Drain was installed in December 2022 in Mid-West City Oklahoma. At First glance the gravel doesn’t look great, however putting Sod on top of the gravel is the worst thing you can do! LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN! DON’T PUT SOD OR DIRT ON TOP OF A FRENCH DRAIN!!
Covering a French Drain prevents Surface Water from going into the French Drainpipe which is underneath the pipe.
Imagine This for example: Putting Sod or Dirt on top of a French Drain is the same as putting gas in your car by opening the gas cap and then pouring gas on the roof of your car. A drop or two may find its way into the gas cap but the car won’t run. Well, the French Drain won’t work either. So, what can you Do?
If your French Drain is in the sun and not in a shaded area, eventually grass will grow over the French Drain.
You may think that grass growing over a French Drain is the same as putting dirt over it, but that is not true at all. Bermuda grass puts out runners that cover the gravel. It is like netting. It becomes what I have termed, “A Thatch Filter”. The “Thatch Filter” helps keep the water clean that goes into the French Drain.
Think about this! Water Goes through the ” Thatch Filter,” Through the “Gravel,” Through the “Trench Liner,” and Finally Through the “Pipe Filter,” into the perforated French Drainpipe.
In my opinion, this makes the French Drain maintenance free INDEFINITELY! I have installed French Drains in this manner that have been working great for 30 years this year. I installed my first French Drain in 1993.
The problem is, If the French Drain is in the shade of if the soil is poor, Grass will never grow over it. Streaks of gravel in your yard won’t look very nice, right!
Imagination and Artistic Creativity are the answer. Dress up your French Drain. As long as You don’t restrict the water flow put something decorative on top of the French Drain. The following are pictures of just a Few things we have done over the last 30 Years.
Building a Decorative French Drain
Completed Decorative French Drain
BEFORE
Installing French Drain Under Walkway
AFTER
