French Drain Utilization
Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419 — We provide:
French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation
Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, with 33 years of experience.
Driveway Drain Installation
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. A Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil. The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.
This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used. There are several sizes of French Drainpipe. Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drainpipe. 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 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 Most of the time.
FRENCH DRAIN INSTALLATION IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA
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 Drainpipe 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.
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 Drainpipe. Water will run through either Perforated French Drainpipe or Solid Drainpipe depending on the Drainage System Design. Water will flow downhill 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
Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain
A French Drain is a long perforated pipe in the bottom of a trench. The trench runs through the problem drainage area. The trench is filled with gravel or crushed lime stone. The French Drain takes in water any place that water runs into the trench.
A French Drain will move large amounts of water from the Drainage Problem Area to the Exit point.
A French Drain will Drain away water that gets to the Drainage Problem Area in 3 ways.
1. Water gets to the problem area by falling from the sky.
2. Water gets to the problem area by flowing down hill over the ground.
3. Water gets to the problem area by flowing underground. (Sub-Surface water flow)
French Drain Running Through Low Areas in Yukon
Number 3, Sub-Surface water flow is the big consideration. When doing a Drainage Diagnostic, this is the area that is many times missed or not considered by less experienced companies. Many Times it is cheaper and more effective to install a French Drain over a Surface Drain. A Surface Drain can’t move as much water as a French Drain, and a Surface Drain can’t Drain away Sub-Surface water. Surface Drains should be installed in areas where the Drainage Problem area is smaller and is not affected by sub-surface water.
The drawback to a French Drain, is that it is not a pretty as a Surface Drain.
6 Inch French Drain
French Drains do a great job running along foundations and driveways. A French Drain will keep water away from cement and prevent damage to concrete if water should freeze up against it. A French Drain can keep your foundation Dry.
We just finished a 4-inch Drainage System in Yukon. It was a complicated system to install. It utilized 4 inch French Drain in the flower beds, 12 inch Surface Drains on the side of the house, 6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters in the back yard and 3 Curb Fittings in the front. First, we installed 4 inch French Drain in the flowerbeds on both sides of the front door. We connected 4-inch solid Drainpipe into the French Drain and ran them underside walk to the curb. Next we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed 3 curb outlets for 3 separate French Drains.
Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City
Next we installed 4 12 Inch Drain Basins with grates along both sides of the house continuing with Solid Drainpipe to the Pop-Up Emitters on the back fence. Finally we completed the Drainage System by installing a long run of 6-inch French Drain down the side of the garage foundation. Installing the French Drains in the flower beds was the most difficult and took the most time. Each French Drain took over a ton of crushed limestone to fill the French Drain trench. The Six-inch French Drain took even more limestone.
French Drains can utilize several types and sizes of French Drainpipe. An older type that is not commonly used any more is 4 inch PVC Pipe with large half inch holes drilled in the Pipe. This doesn’t work very well, Because the holes are too large and the number of holes in the French Drainpipe are too few. Also there is no filter or “Soc” around this particular French Drainpipe. If it is used in sandy or loose soil the holes will clog and the pipe will fill up with sand. PVC French Drain Pipe should be avoided.
Installing a Drain Pipe For a French Drain that Releases water through a Pop-Up Emitter at the Street
ADS French Drainpipe is much better, the holes are smaller and much more numerous. It also comes inside a soc that acts as a filter and helps keep sand and debris out of the French Drainpipe. It works very well.
For Small business and Residential French Drains, Four inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain pipe is adequate and the most common. It is used for the majority of all French Drains installed. French Drains can be installed using 3 inch ADS Perf/Soc but many times it is too small and can be overwhelmed by a heavy rain or from a bad design. (Too many gutter down spouts connected directly into the French Drain, For Example) Three Inch French Drain Pipe should be avoided if possible.
Connecting Gutter into French Drain System in Moore
Six inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain Pipe is usually a good idea when possible. It carries a much larger volume of water. Six Inch French Drains are rarely overwhelmed.
The Drawbacks to 6-inch French Drain installation are: 1. The Materials Cost is higher for six-inch French Drain Compared to Four Inch Pipe. 2. Many times, 6 Inch French Drain Pipe is too large for many applications, such as going under a fence or sidewalk. 3. The trench for a 6-inch French Drain must be much larger than a 4 Inch 4. The amount of gravel or limestone or River Rock used to Cover the 6-inch French Drain is Much larger All things being considered, the performance and longevity of a 6 inch French Drain is well worth it if you are trying to protect something of value to you! If the higher cost and the additional labor and materials are not a problem and 6 inch French Drainpipe is not too big for what you want to do then a 6 inch French Drain would be the best. Sprinkler Repair FactsOklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Expert Service for Sprinkler Heads, Valves, Controllers and all other Sprinkler System difficulties. We service Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, and Midwest City.
Sprinkler Controller Repair is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage. A Sprinkler Controller is the “Brain,” of a Sprinkler System. They can wear out or stop working. Power surges in the home can cause damage to a controller.
Programming can be difficult for homeowners. We can help with programming or replace a Sprinkler Module if it is defective.
Start Time Programming
“Start Time” programing many times is confusing for homeowners. The definition of a Start Time is a time that is chosen for the sprinkler system to start watering. It causes zone 1 to start running. When zone 1 is finished it automatically stops and zone 2 begins. When Zone 2 is complete it stops and zone 3 begins. Simple enough Right! This continues until the last zone programed available runs.
The confusion begins when people think that a time needs to be set to start zone 2 and 3 and so on. This is not the case. They follow zone 1 which has the only Start Time programmed into the controller.
Be Careful with Multiple Start Times, just use One at first.
Sprinkler Controllers have a feature providing multiple start times, up to 4 Start Times are usually available. These additional start times are only used when a person wants to run the entire system more than once in a 24-hour period.
For Example, the first Start Time is set at 9Am. Zone 1 begins to run at 9am. When Zone 1 is done, say 10 minutes later, Zone 2 begins and runs for 10 minutes, then zone 3 follows and so on. By 10 am let’s say all the zones have run. Let’s say 8 hours later you have a second start time at 6 Pm. Zone 1 comes on and runs and by 7pm all the zones have run again. So, the controller has 2 start times which have caused the Sprinkler System to run start to finish twice in a 24-hour period.
Here is the big problem! Some Homeowners believe the second start time is to start zone 2 running. They also think that the 3rd start time is to start zone 3 and the 4-start time is to run zone 4. No!!
So, this is how they program the controller. At 9am they have a start time and zone 1 starts. The homeowner programs a second start time at 9:10 am to mistakenly start zone 2. Nope! It starts zone 1 all over again. At 9:2o they have a 3rd start time for zone 3. Nope! It starts zone 1 for a third time. Now the controller is stuck in a loop and zone 1 runs constantly and won’t shut off.
If Sprinkler Controller Programming is confusing? Make sure you only have One Start Time!
“Run Time,” is completed Next. It determines how long each zone runs. Zone One 10 Minutes, Zone Two, 15 Minutes, Zone Three 8 Minutes. You can set how long you want each zone to run.
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.
We started with the Valves
The Sprinkler Valves were located in the back yard near the pool. Six valves were located in one place. They were very tightly connected in one Manifold. None of the Sprinkler Valves had worked in a long time. They were Toro Valves that were over 20 years old. They all had to be replaced.
Surprisingly there was no shut-off valve for the Sprinkler Water. The water had to be shut off at the Meter so we could install a Manual Shut off valve. Once installed, the water was turned back on that ran to the house. The water that ran to the Sprinkler System was shut off with our New Shut Off Valve.
Rainbird Sprinkler Valve
The Sprinkler Valves Were Removed
Now, the 6 valves had to replaced. The valves that were used were made by Rain Bird. Before we began, I had to talk to the Customer. The previous valve design was a bad idea to repeat.
The original Sprinkler Valves were crammed into one large valve box in one very tight manifold. This is bad because the valves were too close to the fittings. Simply put, if one valve had to be replaced or worked on in the future, all 6 valves had to be taken out and replaced. If one valve was bad and 5 worked fine, they all still had to be replaced.
That’s Stupid!
I recommended that an additional Valve Box be installed putting 3 valves in each Valve Box. This would allow plenty of space between the valve fittings. If one Sprinkler Valve had to be adjusted or replaced in the future, the other 5 valves need not be disturbed. Simple Enough!
Check For Leaks
Once the valves were replaced and working, it was time to turn on each Sprinkler Zone, one at a time. Water was shooting up from the ground in several places in zone 1. Two broken Sprinkler Pipes and 5 bad Sprinkler Heads in zone 1 had to be fixed and replaced. We went through each of the 6 zones in similar fashion fixing lots of leaks and replacing bad sprinkler heads.
The Sprinkler Repair Cost About Half of the Cost of Completely New System.
Rotor and Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads
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.
Sprinkler Head Adjustment is a service provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair. We have adjusted sprinkler heads since 1993.
Many times, Sprinkler heads get, “Out of Wack.” Lawn mowers and weed eaters are notorious for this. Sprinkler heads start spraying water in the wrong place. It is frustrating to water concrete while plants and grass go without moisture.
Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads
Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads can be adjusted several ways. How far water goes to the left or right can be increased or decreased. The distance the water goes can also be increased or decreased. Finally, how high a sprinkler head pops up can be increased or decreased by installing a taller or shorter head.
Sometimes sprinkler heads spray a reduced distance and don’t perform very well due to water scale. Minerals in the water can completely clog a Pop-Up. Usually, the sprinkler nozzle on top of the sprinkler head, need only be replaced without replacing the entire head.
Rotor Sprinkler Heads also can be adjusted to the left or right. Spray Distance can be increased or decreased as well.
Needs Change
What’s going on in your yard can change. This calls for Sprinkler Head Adjustment. Adding or removing a swimming pool changes everything concerning sprinkler heads. Any number of things can change the necessary sprinkler head coverage.
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
Check out Sprinkler System Check-Up
French Drain In Edmond
Oklahoma Drainage Installed 4 Inch French Drain with trench liner and pipe filter about one foot away from the wall where all the water was standing and penetrating the Duct Work. The French Drain ran parallel to the house for 60 Feet. At that point the French Drain transitioned to 4 Inch solid ADS Drainpipe and continued South an additional 80 feet to a Curb Outlet installed at the street.
We cut the curb and installed a Curb Outlet with Acrylic Concrete to make it look nice and last without chipping.
Along the course of the French Drain, we also connected 2 Gutter Down Spouts Directly into the French Drain.
This provides more efficient movement of the storm water to the exit but also creates suction in the French Drain behind it.
This is called the “Bernoulli Effect.” If you remember your High School Science Class.
Oklahoma Drainage has used these simple concepts many times to provide a solution to the above problem.
Water still had to be vacuumed out of the Duct Work. But Future water was and is kept out of the Duct Work and Floor Vents. Also, the Foundation Stays Dry. No mold or foundation Break Down.
Oklahoma Drainage – We install French Drains, Channel Drains, Surface Drains, Sump Pumps and Sod.
If You live in Oklahoma City and water is damaging your foundation, we can install a French Drain for you.
Water may be standing on your driveway. Channel Drain Installation is a Solution.
If you live in Edmond and have water flooding your basement, we can install a Sump Pump for you.
Flooding in your flowerbed can be solved with a Surface Drain.
If you live in Yukon and need grass to grow, we can install Sod too!
Check Out Parts of a French Drain
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. A Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.
The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe. This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used.
Drainpipe Sizes
There are several sizes of French Drainpipe. Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drainpipe.
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 limestone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.
Installing Trench Liner for French Drain
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.
French Drain Design must take into account many variables. One consideration for a French Drain that many times is missed, is the type of soil. French Drain Design must take into account the type of soil that the French Drain runs through.
If the soil is “Tight or made up of Clay, A French Drain Liner may not be necessary. The Gravel or Limestone that is used to fill the French Drain trench may be all that is needed to maintain the integrity of the trench over time. This means that dirt will not mix in with the French Drain Gravel and clog it up over time.
This is not the case however if your soil is sandy or loose. A Trench Liner should be used to prevent this type of soil from moving into the gravel of the French Drain. Trench Liners are relatively inexpensive and are not hard to install. If you are not sure what to do then install the Trench Liner in the French Drain.
Installation of a French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma
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.
