Posts Tagged ‘Lawton Oklahoma French Drain Installation’

French Drain Installation, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Norman, Edmond, French Drain Repair –

Posted: January 24, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage System Repair, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Installation is a primary focus fore Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.  We have been installing French Drains as part of Drainage Systems since 1993.   We also install Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps to fit our customers needs.

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

A Drainage System is made up of three parts.  An Intake, a transition, and and Exit.

An intake is a Drain or a group of Drains that brings water into the Drainage System.  It can be a French Drain, Surface Drains, Channel Drain, or Sump Pump.  A Drainage System can have one intake or several.  If more than one, it can be any combination of French Drains, Surface Drains, Etc.

For Example: You might have a Surface Drain set in your sidewalk and a Channel Drain next to your driveway and a French Drain in your yard.  They all connect to each other through drain pipe and feed water into the Drainage System.

The Transition is the Drain Pipe that takes the water to the exit point.  It can be a large pipe or small depending on how much water needs to be moved and how fast it needs to drain.  More than one Drainage Exit Point.  This increases the amount of water that the Drainage System can move.

There are other things to take into account and consider as well.

french drain walk way

French Drain installed under walkway

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs French Drains and Surface Drains in lawns, flower beds and many other places.  We also install Surface Drains and Channel Drains Set in concrete in sidewalks and driveways.  Wherever you need a Drain to help protect your home or property, we are there to help.  Experience Counts, going on 27 years now.

A French Drain Can Handle Surface and Sub-Surface Water

Drainage Systems can:

1.  Keep water away from foundations — A French Drain is best because it can move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water (water moving under ground) away from the foundation.  Many times less experienced companies install Surface Drains to keep water away from foundations.  This can be a big mistake.  A Surface Drain can’t move or drain Sub-Surface Water.   Also A Surface Drain often can’t move enough water fast enough and easily becomes overwhelmed during a heavy rain.  A Surface Drain also can’t cover or protect a broad enough area. Surface Drains should be designed in a Drainage System to be located in smaller Drainage Areas moving moderate amounts of water.  Surface Drains look better than French Drains.  If ,”appearance” is more important than Drainage Capacity, Go with the Surface Drain.  Just know what you are getting into and what your expectations should be. One side of a foundation alone,  can be over 100 feet.  A 4 inch or 6 inch French Drain is best when protecting a large area such as a foundation.

2.  Keep water away from small or enclosed areas.  This might be a low area just through a gate on the side of a house, or the low area between a flowerbed and the wall of a house, or standing water on or near a sidewalk or driveway.  These types of Drainage Problems are best served with Surface Drains.  A Surface Drain can move water away from a low area that is relatively small.  This can occur in yards, flowerbeds, sidewalks and driveways.  A surface Drain is designed to move Surface Water away from a problem area to a predetermined exit point.  Surface Drains are available in many sizes.  How quickly they remove standing water is usually determined by the size of the pipe that is connected to the drain.

Simply put, a Drainage System is one or a group of underground Drain Pipes that take water away from a place that has water standing on it or flowing across it.  The water that is in the problem area, can be causing damage or may be inconvenient or both.  (Usually Both)  A simple Drainage System is a Drain for the water to enter, a Drain Pipe to move the water away from the Drain, and an Exit Point for the water to be released out of the Drain Pipe.

Setting in the channel drain

Setting in the Channel Drain in the cut.

Drainage Systems quickly can become more complicated.  Considerations must include:

How does the water get to the problem area?  There may be one or many sources.

Water Sources:

1.  It falls from the sky directly

2.  It flows down hill over the surface (surface water)

3.  It flows underground under the surface (sub-surface water)

4.  It flows from the edge of a roof ( There may be many roofs near the problem area, neighbors etc.)

5.  It flows from a gutter downspout

6.  It flows over the edge of a gutter because the gutter is too small is is clogged

7.  It flows up from the ground (seeps and springs are common in Oklahoma)

8.  It flows from a sprinkler system use ( yours or your neighbors)

9.  It flows from a leaking pipe ( water mains, water meters, water lines, sprinkler pipes, sprinkler valves)

There are other reasons for Drainage Problems, the above reasons are just the most common.

Once the number of water sources is determined, a rough estimate of the amount of water that needs to be drained away on average must be estimated.  This can be simplified down to “SMALL, MEDIUM, OR LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER TO BE DRAINED AWAY.  You don’t have to be an engineer trying to calculate fluid dynamics.  Experience at diagnosing drainage problems helps however.  How much water needs to be moved will help determine the type and size of the Surface Drain or French Drain that needs to be installed.  It also helps to determine the size of Drain Pipe required for the Drainage System.  A good rule to follow is, “If in doubt, install a larger Drain and Drain Pipe.”  Unused Drainage Capacity is better than property damage caused by a Drain that is overwhelmed by too much water.

For home and small business use typical materials used are:

6 inch, 9 inch, and 12 inch Surface Drains –

3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch Drain Pipes —

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

French Drains move more water than Surface Drains —

French Drains move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water

Surface Drains move Surface Water only

Surface Drains look nicer than French Drains in most cases

Once the type and number of drains is determined and what size Drain Pipe will connect them, an exit point must be selected.  (Where is the Drainage System going to take the water to and release it?)

The Drainage Curb Fitting is installed when the desired exit point for the French Drain will release the Drainage Water into the Street.   The Drainage Curb Fitting is rectangular in shape and made to be installed through the curb.  A small section of Curb is cut out with a concrete saw.  The Section is a few inches wider than the Drainage Curb Fitting.  We then install new concrete around the curb fitting.  Once the concrete has dried, the Drain Pipe coming from a French Drain or Surface Drain is connected to the Drainage Curb fitting and then covered with dirt.

 

Another Storm is headed our way.  It looks like a WET FALL.  Every time it rains, Do you have water standing in the wrong place?  Even worse!  Do you have water seeping into your home or business?  If you have water standing in your yard, on your sidewalk, or dripping into your basement, Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help.  We have been designing Drainage Systems for Homes or Business since 1993.

cement channel drain

Channel Drain in Sidewalk

Today we installed a Drain Basin and a Sump Pump in front of a recessed basement door.  Problem solved!  

We can deal with a wide variety of Drainage Problems, Specializing in: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basement Drains,  and Sump Pumps.

WHAT DRAINAGE PROBLEM CAN WE SOLVE FOR YOU?

 

 

standing water

A good place for a French Drain 

Oklahoma City French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair, Lawton, Edmond, Norman, Midwest City

Posted: January 19, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage Problems, Drainage System, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma Drainage — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

 

If you have water standing in your flowerbed we can install a French Drain For you.  If water is standing on your driveway or sidewalk a Surface Drain or Channel Drain set in concrete might be what you need.  If water is standing in your basement a Sump Pump installation is a good idea.

Drain Pipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

French Drain Pipe running to exit

Oklahoma Drainage –  Installing French Drains and providing Expert Sprinkler Repair since 1993.

FRENCH DRAIN AS PART OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM

 

 

Drainage Systems can be made up of one drain or a combination of many drains.  Drainage  problems can be very complex.   Complex Drainage Problems may require a combination of several different types of drains all inter-connected and working together.  Other times the drainage problem may be simple and straight-forward requiring only one drain or several of the same type of drain connected together.

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.

A simple Drainage System might consist of a Surface Drain that is connected to a second Surface Drain which runs to aPop-up Emitter which lets water drain over the curb and into the street.

Oklahoma Drainage Installs all types of Drainage Systems.

Today we installed a 6 Inch French Drain at an apartment complex near Lake Heffner.  The French Drain started in the back yard of one unit.  The Drain Pipe went under the fence and into the adjoining unit’s back yard.  The French Drain then looped around their patio and out under their fence to the west.  To get the 6 inch Drain Pipe to the correct Exit Point, we had to cut out 30 feet of sidewalk and run the French Drain Pipe under the sidewalk.  Next, we replaced the sidewalk with new concrete.  Finally, we dug a drainage ditch across the front yard to the parking lot.  We covered the Drain Pipe with sod that we carefully removed when digging the trench.  At the edge of the parking lot a 6 inch Pop-Up Emitter was installed to release the Storm water.  Seven Gutters were connected directly into the Drainage System along the way.

This particular Drainage System was made up of 55 Feet of 6 inch French Drain, 78 Feet of Solid ADS Solid Drain Pipe, Seven Gutter Connections, and one 6 inch Pop-Up Emitter.

Surface Drain in Low Area in the Corner

Surface Drain in Low Area in the Corner

 

 

Oklahoma City French Drain Installation, Edmond, Lawton, Norman

Posted: January 19, 2020 in french drain, French Drain Repair
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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.

 

If you have water standing in your flowerbed we can install a French Drain For you.  If water is standing on your driveway or sidewalk a Surface Drain or Channel Drain set in concrete might be what you need.  If water is standing in your basement a Sump Pump installation is a good idea.

Drain Pipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

Drain Pipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

We Installed a Double Six inch French Drain in Edmond this week.  A Double Six Inch French Drain is two six inch French Drains laid side by side in one very wide and deep trench.  It is designed to move a huge amount of water away from a home.   Our customer had several different drainage problems in their back yard.  After a thunderstorm, water would run under their back fence and into their garage.  The back yard was on a steep hillside and the water would run very fast down the hill and into the garage.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installed 2 large six inch French Drains across the water’s path.  This allowed the water to be diverted into the French Drain which then ran through drain pipe to a curb outlet at the street.  Three Gutter Down Spouts were connected into the French Drain.  The French Drain created a protective barrier for the garage.  A 12 inch Surface Drain was also included in the Drainage System.  It was placed up against the driveway and connected with 4 inch Solid drain pipe to the 6 inch French Drain.  Water was completely rerouted away from the home.  A French Drain  and Surface Drain combination in this case was the best solution to this particular drainage problem.

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Edmond
Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Edmond

 

Oklahoma Drainage  installed a 4 inch French Drain in East Norman this week.  The customer had water standing on the side of his house that was causing foundation damage.  He contracted a Structural Engineer to come out and look at the Drainage Problem and to give him some advise.

The Structural Engineer recommended a French Drain to protect and draw water away from the foundation.  He said that, “he had recommended French Drain Installation to solve similar problems for home owners many times in the past.  The Structural Engineer was confident that it would solve the Drainage Problem.

 

Next, our customer went online and found us by searching under, ” Norman Oklahoma French Drain.”
The Gentleman gave us a call to set up an appointment.  We arrived on the agreed time and provided a ( Free- No Obligation- Drainage Diagnostic and Quote) We came out and looked at his Drainage Problem and designed a Drainage System to solve his, Standing-Water Problem.”  We also recommended a surface drain in a corner where water was coming off a steep part of the roof and overwhelming the gutter.

 

Installing a Curb Outlet For a French Drain in Edmond

Installing a Curb Outlet For a French Drain in Edmond

The customer let us know that he was ready to move forward.  We scheduled the Drainage System Installation for the following week.  When the scheduled day arrived, we installed the Drainage System.  The Drain was made up of a 6 inch French Drain running 30 feet along the East side of the house.  It curved around the corner of the house.  At that point a 12 inch Surface Drain was connected to the French Drain with 4 inch pipe.  The 6 inch French Drain at that point changed to 6 inch Solid Drain Pipe and continued under ground 65 feet to a pop-up emitter at the curb in the front yard near the street.

Edmond Oklahoma has been the location for many French Drain Installations for us in the past several years.  Recently we ripped out an old Surface Drain that was under a deck.  The Surface Drain was too small for the job and did not Protect the Foundation from Standing Water. 


 The First step was to take out part of the deck along the wall.  Next we took out the Surface Drain and the Three Inch Pipe which was too small.  Digging a trench along the foundation came next.  We had to ensure the, “Fall” to make sure the water would run from left to right. 

 Next a French Drain Liner  needed to be installed.  This was necessary to maintain the integrity of the trench and to keep the French Drain Pipe from filling up with sand and getting clogged over the next few years.  Oklahoma Drainage  then installed 4 inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain Pipe along the course of the French Drain.  Next we connected the end of the French Drain Pipe to Solid 4 Inch ADS Drain pipe to continue along the trench to the Pop-Up Emitter at the Exit Point.

Running Drain Pipe to the Curb From French Drain in Back Yard

Running Drain Pipe to the Curb From French Drain in Back Yard

 

 

 

Drainage System, French Drain Installation, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Edmond, Yukon, Chickasha, Duncan

Posted: January 18, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage Problems, Drainage System, Drainage System Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419

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 Drain Pipe.  The Drain pipe 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

Drain pipe going out through the curbDrain Photo Library

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.

This is a good place for a French Drain

This is a good place for a French Drain

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 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 Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe.  Four Inch Drain Pipe is the most common. Six inch Drain Pipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6 inch Drain Pipe.

French Drain and Drainage Systems Installed, Oklahoma City, Norman, Lawton, Duncan

Posted: January 17, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage System Repair, Drainage Systems, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – Drainage System Installation, French Drain Installation, Lawn Sprinkler Repair, Since 1993.

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

A good place for a French Drain

 

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.”

Surface Drian

Channel Drain

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

Perforated French Drain Pipe

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 lime stone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well. The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe 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 about 20% of the time. Most of the time a liner in not needed.

French Drain March 2011

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.

French Drain with Colored Gravel

The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’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 lime stone. 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.

French 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 Drain Information and Installation, Lawton, Duncan, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman,

Posted: January 17, 2020 in Drain Repair, Drainage System Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair
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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

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.

Edmond Oklahoma French Drain, Norman, Yukon, Lawton, Oklahoma City /

Posted: December 5, 2019 in Drainage System, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Edmond Oklahoma French Drain Installation, Norman, Yukon, Lawton, Oklahoma City
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
    Emergency Sprinkler Repair Service, AFTER HOURS AND WEEKENDS.

 

If you have water standing in your back yard after a hard rain, or  If water stands on your driveway or sidewalk, we can help with all types or Residential Drainage and Standing Water problems.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has over 26 years of Experience Solving all types of Storm Water issues.  We utilize French Drains, Surface Drains and Channel Drains.  Our Drains are installed in Yards, Sidewalks, Driveways and Basements.

 

Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains.  Most Drainage Systems , however are basic and require just one type of Drain.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains are most commonly used.  If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, we can help.

 

The term, “French Drain” gets thrown around a lot.  Many times people say they need a “French Drain,” when they mean Surface Drain, or Channel Drain.  It is becoming a Catch-All Phrase that may refer to any type of drain.  French Drains provide specific benefits that are different from Surface Drains.

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.”

Surface Drain

Channel Drain

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

Perforated French Drain Pipe

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 lime stone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well. The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe 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 about 20% of the time. Most of the time a liner in not needed.

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 aren’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 lime stone. 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.

French 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.

 

 The French Drain Installation we did this week was a little more difficult than normal.  Many times the route that a Perforated French Drain Pipe must travel to its exit point is not very easy from an installation point of view.  French Drains may have to travel through tree roots, (big ones) under sidewalks, through retaining walls, around swing sets or dog kennels or Mom’s Prize Rose Bush.  The 4 inch French Drain we installed this week was in Oklahoma City south of 23rd in an old part of town where all the houses were old 2 or 3 story homes with lots of huge Elm Trees.  The Elm Tree in Question actually was just an old stump that had been topped out but not completely removed.  They left the roots just for us!  The roots were growing into the homes foundation and were right in the way of the path of the French Drain.  Forty feet of solid Elm Roots and 4 chain-saw blades later We were successful in running a new French Drain through a tree stump.  Yuck! “Well you gotta  do what you gotta do!”

 

French Drain with colored river rock

French Drain with colored river rock

A little info about French Drain Pipe and Tree Roots.  Normally tree roots don’t seek out and penetrate French Drain Pipe.  Tree roots seek moisture and residual water that may stay inside Solid Drain Pipe.  French Drain Pipe is perforated.  Water that does not reach the exit point of the French Drain will seep out of the Pipe into the surrounding dirt.  Solid Drain Pipe that is used with Surface Drains can be penetrated and eventually clogged by roots if the pipe does not have good slope or “Fall”.  If the solid pipe does not drain well and has residual water, tree roots will seek it out.

Drain Pipe running from French Drain to the street in Oklahoma City

Drain Pipe running from French Drain to the street in Oklahoma City

Drainage Systems are designed to protect your home or business from standing water.  Storm-Water Runoff can cause damage in many ways.  Water from your gutters can seep down into your home’s foundation if it has no good way to drain off.  If the temperature then drops below freezing, the water around your foundation can freeze and cause serious damage to the home’s foundation.  Foundation repair can cost more than a Drainage System.

Drainage Systems typically make use of , French Drains, Surface Drains, or Channel Drains.  Depending on the Drainage Problem, A Drainage System may utilize one or several types of Drains.  We might install, for example, A Surface Drain in the middle of a driveway that runs to a gutter that is connected into the drain pipe.  The Drain Pipe might continue to a French Drain running parallel to a homes foundation.  Next the drain pipe might continue to a channel drain cutting across a sidewalk.  The Drain pipe might then reach its exit point running out through a curb fitting installed and cemented through the curb.

A Surface Drain basically is a basin that has a grate on the top.  A drain pipe is connected to the basin below ground.  The water flows in through the grate and down into the basin.  The water then exits the Basin through the Drain Pipe and move toward the exit point of  the Drainage System.  Surface Drains are designed to handle water that accumulates in a low areas.   These areas should not be too large or broad, and the water that drains into a surface drain should not be moving very fast.  Surface Drains can become overwhelmed if they are placed in an area that must move a large volume of water, quickly.  Selecting the correct drain for the specific drainage problem is a benefit that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides through twenty years of experience.

 

French Drain, Channel Drain, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Norman, Edmond, Drainage Systems /

Posted: December 3, 2019 in Channel Drain, french drain, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Installation Oklahoma City, Lawton, Norman, Edmond

Oklahoma Drainage \ 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, Sprinkler Repair, with 26 years of experience. 

 

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  A  Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.   The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drain Pipe that is being used.  There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe.   Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe. The dirt that is 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 lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe 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. 

 

Oklahoma Drainage – 405203 9419

 

FRENCH DRAIN INSTALLATION IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA

French Drain running along foundation

French Drain running along foundation

Edmond Oklahoma has been the location for many French Drain Installations for us in the past several years.  Recently we ripped out an old Surface Drain that was under a deck.  The Surface Drain was too small for the job and did not Protect the Foundation from Standing Water.  The First step was to take out part of the deck along the wall.  Next we took out the Surface Drain and the Three Inch Pipe which was too small.  Digging a trench along the foundation came next.  We had to ensure the, “Fall” to make sure the water would run from left to right.  Next a French Drain Liner needed to be installed.  This was necessary to maintain the integrity of the trench and to keep the French Drain Pipe from filling up with sand and getting clogged over the next few years.  We then installed 4 inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain Pipe along the course of the French Drain.  Next we connected the end of the French Drain Pipe to Solid 4 Inch ADS Drain pipe to continue along the trench to the Pop-Up Emitter at the Exit Point.

Running Drain Pipe across Front Yard for a French Drain

Running Drain Pipe across Front Yard for a French Drain

 

A good Drainage System has a point where water enters the System.  This is usually through a French Drain, Surface Drain, or a Gutter Down Spout that is connected into a Drain Pipe.   Water will run through either Perforated French Drain Pipe or Solid Drain Pipe depending on the Drainage System Design.  Water will flow down hill to an Exit Point where the water will be released out of the Drainage System.  This is a done through a Pop-Up Emitter or a Curb Fitting.

 

Cutting The Curb and Installing Curb Fitting for French Drain

Cutting The Curb and Installing Curb Fitting for French Drain

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

 
 

French Drain Installation, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Yukon, Lawton /

Posted: November 27, 2019 in french drain, French Drain Contractor, French Drain Repair
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French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation
Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419 — We provide:
 Sprinkler Repair for all aspects of Residential Sprinkler Systems
 Emergency Sprinkler Repair Service, AFTER HOURS AND WEEKENDS.

A Good Place For A French Drain

 

If you have water standing in your back yard after a hard rain, or  If water stands on your driveway or sidewalk, we can help with all types or Residential Drainage and Standing Water problems.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has over 26 years of Experience Solving all types of Storm Water issues.  We utilize French Drains, Surface Drains and Channel Drains.  Our Drains are installed in Yards, Sidewalks, Driveways and Basements.

 

Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains.  Most Drainage Systems , however are basic and require just one type of Drain.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains are most commonly used.  If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, we can help.

Channel Drain Installed by CMG In Yukon

Channel Drain Installed In Yukon

Channel Drains are one kind of Surface Drain that we install in concrete.

The most common Drain that we install is the French Drain.  This is because the French Drain is versatile.  It can handle Surface Water Problems or Underground Water Problems (sub-surface).  A huge mistake that many people make is assuming that water gets to a Problem Drainage Area by flowing over the surface only.  For example, if water is flowing down hill underground toward your home’s foundation, the only way to stop or intercept it is with a French Drain.  Water can flow laterally into a perforated French Drain Pipe.  It is then diverted away from the Problem Drainage Area to an Exit Point.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Pop Up Emitters can release water from Surface Drains or French Drains.  They can release water on to sidewalks or driveways, or out in the middle of yards.

A  French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  A  Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.   The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drain Pipe that is being used.  There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe.   Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe. The dirt that is 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 lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe 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 about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

 

 

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

When we run Drain Pipe across yards to an Exit Point, the sod usually can be put back into place and in a few days you can’t tell a French Drain was ever Installed.
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 aren’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 lime stone.  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 French Drain.  In some cases thick grass growing up through the French Drain will create a natural “Thatch” filter.  This makes the French Drain invisible.  The trick is to allow the grass to grow over the French Drain Gravel without covering it up with dirt.  Grasses such as Bermuda which grow well in the sun will put out runners and new roots and will grow up and through the French Drain.  This will not affect the performance of the French Drain.  The problem is that some times depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain.  Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.

DON’T 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.   

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:
                                         A.  Leave the  French Drain as-is and allow grass to grow over it in time.
                                         B.  Add grass seed directly to the French Drain gravel with (Light Hand Watering) to speed the growth process
                                         C.  Leave the French Drain as-is but decorate it with stepping stones and landscaping rocks ( leaving large cracks between stones to allow water to get into the French Drain,
2
If you install a French Drain in a shady area you can:
                                        A.  Leave the French Drain as-is, it will work well and look as it did for many years.

                                        B.  Leave the French Drain as-is, but decorate it with stepping stones or landscaping rocks.  Many French Drains are hidden under rock walk ways.

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain in Oklahoma City

Sometimes Surface Drains make more sense when the Drainage Problem area is fairly small with Surface Water Flowing into it.

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain Installation, Edmond, Norman, Oklahoma City, Lawton /

Posted: November 8, 2019 in Drain Installation, Drain Repair, french drain, French Drain Photos, French Drain Repair
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26

Edmond Oklahoma French Drain Installation

 

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR, Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma

405 203 9419

French Drains and Surface Drains

For over 25 years we have solved all types of residential drainage problems.  Water standing on drive ways, Water in basements, water in air ducts, flowerbeds, and even living rooms.

French Drain

French Drains can look great!
French Drains can look great!

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,”  to apply to many different types of Drains that could be used in a Drainage System.  The term is widely used and many times incorrectly connected to “Surface Drains,” or “Channel Drains.”

A Surface Drain has a grate that sits on top of a basin.  The basin is underground.  A Drain Pipe is connected underground to an outlet on the Drain Basin.  Storm-Water Drains through the grate into the Drain Basin.  Once in the Drain Basin, water travels out of the basin through a Drain Pipe.  The Storm-Water continues downhill in an underground Drain Pipe to an exit point.

THIS IS NOT A FRENCH DRAIN!

A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes.  The Drain Grate may be round or square.  Here is a picture of a common Surface Drain.

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe 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 lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe 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 about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

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 aren’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 lime stone.  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.
DON’T 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.  PUTTING DIRT OVER A FRENCH DRAIN IS LIKE PUTTING A CORK BACK IN A BOTTLE.

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

 

 

Finished Curb Outlet for French Drain

Finished Curb Outlet for French Drain

 

Installing Solid 4 Inch Drain Pipe Between French Drain and Curb

Installing Solid 4 Inch Drain Pipe Between French Drain and Curb

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