Posts Tagged ‘Norman French Drain installation’

French Drain Ground Water, or Sub-Surface Water.

A “French Drain” Moves “surface water” away from a low-lying problem drainage area. What flows over the ground.  Sub surface water which runs underground is not considered when a drainage system is being installed.  People only think about what they can see and don’t think much about what they can’t see.

 

Installing Trench Liner for French Drain

Installing Trench Liner For French Drain

 

 

channel drain driveway

Channel Drain set in Driveway is one type of Surface Drain

 

Sub Surface water is water that is underground and saturated in the soil.  Just like water above ground (Surface Water) moves.  Water under ground moves too and is a very big part of any drainage problem.

Water flows over the surface into the area that floods and is a problem.  A big mistake that is made be the casual eye, is that all the water in a swampy problem area got there by running over the surface.  Yes, it probably did, but it also got there by moving there underground as well.  This is called SUB SURFACE WATER MOVEMENT, and it is important to any kind of Drainage System that might be installed.

If your problem water is partially Sub-Surface water, and you install a Drainage System that uses Surface Drains only, then you just wasted a lot of money!

Surface Drain install

Surface Drain Installed by sidewalk

Water can only be drained away that is on the surface.  It goes into the top of the Drain on the Surface.  It’s Name is ” A Surface Drain.”  It Drains Surface Water ONLY!

A French Drain can drain Surface water and Sub Surface water both.  It water is in the problem area by means of Sub – Surface movement, then it will enter the French Drain Laterally, under ground,  and be drained away along with the surface water.

New French Drain

French Drain with very little fall

 

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

Surface Drains look nice but they have limited applications.  They must be installed in situations that they are designed for.  Surface Water only in smaller volume applications.  Surface Drains don’t move as much water as French Drains.

French Drain Pipe.

 

When installing a Drainage System of any type, a decision must be made on the size of Drain Pipe used.  Typically 6 inch, 4 inch, and 3 inch are the most common in Residential Drainage Systems.

 

If you have one or two 6 inch Surface Drains or a stretch of French Drain that is less than 10 feet, then a 3 inch drain pipe can be used.   Three inch drain pipe is used for low volume applications.

4 inch and 6 inch

4 inch and 6 inch Drainpipe

Surface Drains

If you have two or three 12 inch Surface Drains or a stretch of French Drain that is 60 feet or less, then 4 inch drain Pipe should do the job.

If you have Six 12 inch Surface Drains or less or 100 Feet of French Drain, Then the use of 6 inch drain pipe becomes necessary.

two French Drain

100 feet of French drain

These numbers can be exceeded.  More Surface Drains or French Drain can be added to the above listing, however the drain pipe will be overwhelmed at times of heavy rain.  If it is OK with you for your French Drains or Surface Drains to Stand Underwater for a while until the Drainage System can catch up and clear the excess water away.  How long it stays underwater varies from one application to another.

Slope

Slope is a big consideration.  If your drain pipe runs downhill nicely and the water moves quickly, then you can exceed the above numbers.  If you have very little slope and your Drain Pipe only runs downhill slightly, then installing fewer drains is definitely a good idea.

Connecting a gutter downspout to a drain that only has a small slope is always a good idea.  The water on the roof has nice velocity when it comes out the gutter and into the drain pipe.  It speeds up the water movement when the slope ins’t very good.  It also causes suction behind the gutter downspout in the French Drain or Surface Drain that you have installed.

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

New French Drain Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.  We provide service for all of Central and Western Oklahoma.  In Business since 1993.

 

A NEW FRENCH DRAIN IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Grass typically will grow over the gravel in a French Drain.  This is a good thing.  In a few months you won’t even know its there.  Grass growing over a properly installed French Drain is called a ” Thatch Filter”.  This provides a 3rd filter for your French Drain to go along with the Neoprene filter around the pipe and the Trench Liner in the trench.  In most cases this makes the French Drain Maintenance Free.  I have installed French Drains with this combination that have been working great for over 20 Years!

YOU DON’T WANT TO PUT DIRT ON TOP OF THE GRAVEL OF A FRENCH DRAIN.  BE PATIENT AND LET THE GRASS GROW OVER IT ON ITS OWN.  PUTTING DIRT ON TOP PREVENTS SURFACE WATER FROM ENTERING THE DRAIN.

 

French Drain in the sun

Bermuda Grass will soon grow over this French Drain

 

grass growing over french drain

Grass Growing Over French Drain

Sprinkling Grass Seed in the Gravel Speeds up the process.

 

Shaded areas are more difficult to get grass to grow over a French Drain.  Decorative Stone can be placed over a French Drain to make it look nice or disguise it.

walk way drain

French Drain across walkway

 

French Drain under walkway

French Drain under walkway

 

Decorative French Drain

Decorative French Drain

If the appearance of a French Drain is not for you, you may want to try a Surface Drain.

Surface Drain Installation

Surface Drain Installation in Norman

 

Surface Drains work great in smaller focused area, but they move less water and do nothing to dry out saturated wet soil.  French Drains Drain away Surface Water and Sub- Surface water or ground water.   Surface Drains Drain only drain Surface Water.

 

Recently we installed a large Drainage System in OKC.  It was a 4-inch System using 4-inch ADS French Drainpipe with Soc and 4 inch ADS Solid Drainpipe.  The “Intake” of the Drainage System had two parts.  Water from the gutters on the house was fed into the Drainage System.  There were 7 gutter downspouts around the entire house that were connected straight into the Drainage System with Solid Drain Pipe and a Gutter connection.

French Drain Installation In Yukon

Oklahoma Drainage : Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

Standing Water on Your Driveway?  A Surface Drain set in concrete may be what you need. Or maybe you need a French Drain Running alongside your driveway instead.  Handling water problems is what we are good at.  If you need help, Oklahoma Drainage can provide the best solution for your unwanted water problems.

 

 

standing water

A good place for a French Drain

 

 

 

french drain on fence

French Drain Installed in Yukon

 

 Oklahoma Drainage –

Hey Oklahoma, we are expanding to service all of Western Oklahoma as well as Central Oklahoma.  If you live in Elk City, and need a French Drain, we can help.  If water is standing on your driveway in Clinton, Give us a call.  Duncan, Lawton, and Altus are all new areas of service for us.

Since 1993 Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has solved all types of standing water and drainage issues.  We install Drainage Systems that utilize French Drains, Surface, Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps depending on the customer’s needs.

If you have water in the wrong place, we can help!

house flood

This is a great place for a French Drain

We also have Decades of experience repairing all types of Lawn Sprinkler Problems.  Fixing broken sprinkler heads, sprinkler valve problems and controller trouble just to name a few things.

French Drains as part of a Drainage System – 

Many times, people use the term ” French Drain” as general name for a Drain used in or around your home.  French Drains are designed to move a lot of water over a large, flooded area.  They are also designed to take water in on the surface of the ground or below the surface of the ground.  This is very important if the water coming into the flooded area is moving through the ground or coming up from underneath.  ” Sub Surface Water Movement.”  The picture below is not a French Drain!

A French Drain looks like this

river rock french drain

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

A French Drain can take in water in a broad area.  It can move a much larger volume of water compared to a Surface Drain.  Also, it can move sub surface water moving into the area where a Surface Drain won’t move any water at all.

Surface Drains are designed to move surface water only on a smaller scale in confined areas.

 

Another way to beef up a French Drain is to connect gutter down spouts in front of the French Drain.  The water coming off the roof causes suction in the French Drain Behind it.  This greatly increases the French Drains ability to move water without increasing the size of the French Drainpipe.

gutter connection to drain

Gutter Connection to French Drain

 

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

Drainpipe 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 drainpipe 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 and Sprinkler Repair 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 advice.

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 homeowners many times in the past.  The Structural Engineer was confident that it would solve the Drainage Problem.

FRENCH DRAIN IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA

Recently Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installed a large 6-inch French Drain in Edmond.  The customer had water running under his back porch step and into his basement.  We did a Free Drainage Diagnostic and Estimate.

The French Drain design that we proposed would intercept the surface water and subsurface water that was flowing under the steps.  The Drainage design called for a 6-inch French Drain to be installed above and several feet away from the steps.

It would run around the house parallel to the foundation and about 5 feet to the East.  The French Drain would run past the steps to a point where water must cross the French Drain or run up hill to the steps which in this case was not possible.

Once past the steps, the  Drain would transition to Solid 6-inch Drainpipe and continue on around the house to the Pop-Up Emitter downhill in the side yard.  Along the way we attached several Gutter Down Spouts into the French Drain.

French Drain trench sidewalk

Trench under sidewalk and through curb

Drainage Systems, Surface Drain, Sump pumps, – Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

Hard rain and flooding seem to be more common all the time.  When I started this business in 1993, having over an inch of rainfall in an hour was pretty extreme.  Now having over 4 inch an hour rainfall is not unheard of and is becoming more common.

Protecting our homes and businesses from unwanted water should be a goal for all of us.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has seen and dealt with virtually every possible Drainage and Standing water problem that can occur in or around your home.  With over 2000 Drainage Systems installed since 1993; we have amassed a great deal of experience.

This is help full in seeing underlying problems and secondary issues that may be hard to see at first for the ” Untrained Eye.”  This allows us to get things right the first time.  In this business EXPERIENCE TRULY COUNTS!

Hiring your brother-in-law to put in your Drainage System  is as bad as hiring a Lawn mowing company that does landscaping and drains too?  Water can cause a huge amount of damage.  How important is your money and your home?

Blane Callen, 405 203 9419

Drainage problem

This is a great place for a Drainage System

 

French Drain in the sun

Bermuda Grass will soon grow over the gravel

Grass typically will grow over the gravel in a Drain.  This is a good thing.  In a few months you won’t even know it’s there.  Grass growing over a properly installed Drainage System is called a ” Thatch Filter”.  This provides a 3rd filter for your French Drain to go along with the Neoprene filter around the pipe and the Trench Liner in the trench.  In most cases this makes the Drain Maintenance Free.  I have installed Drainage Systems with this combination that have been working great for over 20 Years!

Installing concrete around drain

Installing wet concrete around channel drain

 

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

Curb Outlet

Next, our customer went online and found us by searching under, ” Oklahoma Drainage.”
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 Drainage System

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 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 Drain with 4-inch pipe.  The 6-inch French Drain at that point changed to 6-inch Solid Drainpipe and continued underground 65 feet to a pop-up emitter at the curb in the front yard near the street.

Surface Drain System in Edmond

Surface Drain System in Edmond

Edmond Oklahoma has been the location for many Drainage System Installations.  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 Trench Liner needed to be installed.  This was necessary to maintain the integrity of the trench and to keep the drain from filling up with sand and getting clogged over the next few years. 

French Drain in Oklahoma City

Drainage System

 

 

The Drainage System we installed ran across the back yard in two places, then it connected to solid ADS Drainpipe and Ran to the street where a Curb Outlet was installed.

new curb outlet

Curb outlet for Drain

Installing a curb outlet takes experience and skill.  We cut the curb with a concrete saw.  Water is used with the saw to make better cuts and to keep the concrete dust to a minimum.

The cut in the curb will be at least two inches wider than the curb outlet that will be set in concrete.  This ensures strength and longevity.  When installing the cement, we use cement with Acrylic to further ensure the strength of the outlet.  It takes a while for the concrete to cure.  The new concrete will be darker than the surrounding curb for a while but eventually it will match up.

solid pipe installation

Solid Drainpipe running to the street

We cut the sod out by hand when installing Solid Drainpipe.  The sod is set to the side while the 4-inch pipe is installed.  Then some of the dirt is placed back on top of the drainpipe and the sod is placed back in its original position.  Some of the dirt is left over that is displaced by the new drainpipe.  That dirt is hauled away. 

 

While installing the drainage system, it was necessary to move two sprinkler heads that were in the way of the drainpipe installation.  This was no problem.  Installing drainage systems and French drains for folks who have a sprinkler system is very common.  Moving Sprinkler heads or pipes sometimes is necessary.  We always leave the sprinkler system in complete working order, and we discuss any changes in the sprinkler system with the customer before we do it to make sure that everyone is on the same page.  In most cases the customer can’t tell that we made any changes to the sprinkler system at all.

 

French Drain System Design

Oklahoma Drainage – 405 203 9419 — Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma

 

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.   With over 33 years of experience we provide top quality French Drains, Drainage Systems.

Installing Limestone in trench liner for French Drain

Installing limestone inside trench liner for French drain

Check Out Our Helpers!

Ducks Enjoying the new French Drain

Ducks Enjoying the New French Drain

Just what is a “French Drain?” Many times, people incorrectly

use the phrase, “French Drain,” when they mean “Surface Drain” or “Channel Drain.”

 

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

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 limestone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.

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. I install a trench liner in a French Drain Every time.

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.

Surface Drain with French Drain

Surface Drain beside a French Drain with River Rock

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.

Drain Pipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

Drainpipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

 

 

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!

 

In the past 30 years, Oklahoma Drainage has designed and installed a large number of Drainage Systems.  For the most part, we have utilized French Drains and Surface Drains of many different shapes and sizes.  In two decades we have built up a high level of experience diagnosing Drainage Problems.  We know what to look for, what to expect, and how to approach a wide variety of situations where water is in a harmful or undesirable place.

Installing French Drain and Curb Outlet in Drainage System in Norman.

Installing French Drain and Curb Outlet in Drainage System in Norman.

Oklahoma Drainage installs many types of Drains in a wide variety of places.  Here are a few of them. French Drain Installation along foundations near walls French Drain Installation behind retaining walls – French Drain Installation in and around flower beds – French Drain Installation in basements – French Drain Installation near sidewalks and along driveways – French Drain Installation under pool decks and around swimming pools – French Drain Installation on hillsides and on slopes to protect building and homes – Surface Drain Installation in sidewalks set in concrete – Surface Drain Installation in driveway set in concrete – Surface Drain Installation on side of house to catch water from gutter downspout – Surface Drain Installation in basement with Sump Pump inside to pump out the water – Surface Drain Installation in low spot in yard to handle a moderate amount of water – Surface Drain Installation next to driveway to catch water run-off – Surface Drain Installation next to sidewalk to catch water run-off – Surface Drain Installation connected to gutter down-spout – 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. A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes.  It is a Drain Basin with a Drain Grate on top and a Drain Pipe connected on the side.  The Drain Grate may be round or square.

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.  It is long and narrow with a grate on top.

Channel Drain installed in a sidewalk by a front door.

Channel Drain installed in a sidewalk by a front door.

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.

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.
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.

Home Drainage Problems, Norman French Drain, Moore French Drain, French Drain Repair

Pictures of French Drains can be helpful!

Recently we installed a large French Drain System for a home in North Edmond.  Their gutters were dumping a huge amount of water into the flower beds.  Once in the flower beds, the water traveled down into the foundation and filled up the air conditioner vents.  We installed a large French Drain with 6-inch perforated pipe.  The gutter down spouts were removed and the gutters were run straight into the French Drain Pipe.

 

Gutter connected straight into French Drain System

Gutter connected straight into French Drain System

Fixing Home Drainage Problems can be difficult.

Oklahoma Drainage installs a wide variety of drains to solve a wide variety of Drainage Problems. If you need a Channel Drain installed across a sidewalk, We can help. If water is seeping into your foundation, A French Drain could solve the problem. If water is standing in a low spot in your backyard, a Surface Drain will be a good addition.

Drainage Problems are common with many homes in Oklahoma.  Storm-water run-off can cause damage to foundations, driveways, and sidewalks.  It can also ruin expensive plants and trees and yards.

Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman

Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman

 

 

French Drain Contractor Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Running French Drain Pipe under sidewalk

Running Drainpipe Under Sidewalk

 

 

 

WHAT SIZE DRAINPIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

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.  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 Drainpipe should be avoided.

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.

French Drain in flowerbed

French Drain in flowerbed

4 Inch Pipe

 

For Small business and Residential French Drains, four-inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drainpipe 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 gutters down spouts connected directly into the French Drain, For Example) Three Inch French Drainpipe should be avoided if possible.

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.

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

Installing Gravel on top of a 6-inch French Drain

 
 
 

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 Drainpipe 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
 
 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 Drain pipe is not too big for what you want to do, then a 6-inch French Drain would be the best.  
 
 
 
 

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System.   A Drainage system can use other types of drains too.

Typically, a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run alongside a home’s foundation. It can be along a driveway too.   If water is running toward your home underground (through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution for draining away water flowing underground.

Location

If you live in Oklahoma City and need a French Drain installed in your yard, or along your driveway, or near your foundation, give us a call.  If you live in Edmond or Norman and need a Surface Drain installed in the concrete in your sidewalk or driveway, we can help.  If you live in Mustang or Yukon and would like to protect your trees or flower beds from standing water with a French Drain, Oklahoma Drainage specializes in just that!

 

 

Now is also a great time to address any drainage problems you might have.  If you have trouble with water standing on your Driveway, Sidewalk, or in your yard, we can quickly diagnose your Drainage Problems. 

 

Oklahoma Drainage utilizes: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basin Drains, Trench Drains, Basement Drains, and Sump Pumps.

 

Oklahoma City French Drain Installation, Moore French Drain, Edmond French Drain. Installing a French Drain in the mud Standing water can cause a lot of damage to your yard.  The above picture was from a French Drain Installation in Oklahoma City.

Many times we wait until things dry out a bit before beginning a French Drain Installation.  Some times the water never goes away.  So we start digging in standing water and putting the mud in a wheelbarrow.   We then haul it to a dump trailer to be hauled away.  It isn’t the easiest thing to do.

 

Liner and French dran

Perforated Pipe, Filter , and Liner installed in a drainage trench.

The water started draining away as soon as we dug the Drainage Trench.  Once the Pipe and Limestone were installed, it drained away even faster.

The trench liner allows sub surface water to pass through it and reach the French Drain Pipe.  The reason it is installed is to maintain the integrity of the drainage trench so it doesn’t collapse over time.  It also helps protect the pipe from filling up with mud or sand, clogging the French Drain.

Below is a picture of a French Drain that we had to take out and replace because it had no liner or filter around the Pipe.

clogged French Drain Pipe

result of French Drain Installed Incorrectly

 

The French Drain Pipe shown above has a neo Preen soc around it to prevent sand and debris from clogging the French Drain.  The next step is to add the lime stone on top.

Other types of stone can be used as well.

colored gravel french drain

French Drain with colored gravel.’

 

FD River roc

A French Drain with River Rock

The type of rock that covers a perforated French Drain Pipe can be just about any type of quality gravel or crushed stone.  Very small crushed stone or sand is not a good idea, however.  The water must be able to flow through the stone to reach the perforated pipe.

Drain Basin Connected into a French Drain and Several Gutters

Drain Basin Connected into a French Drain and Several Gutters

Servicing Central Oklahoma including: Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, Del City, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Purcell, Newcastle, Blanchard and surrounding areas.

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.

Surface Drain and Drain Pipe

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

channel drain in driveway

Driveway Channel Drain

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.

French Drain 
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.
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 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 BasinStorm-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.

Surface Drain and Drain Pipe

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

Channel Drain

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

Drain Pipe running to street from French Drain

Drain Pipe running to street from French Drain

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.
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.  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.

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain in Oklahoma City

 

 

Channel Drains

Before

cutting the driveway for a channel drain

Breaking out the cut concrete

After

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps

Providing Expert Sprinkler RepairBroken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler Valve Replacement

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

French Drain Installation, Drainage Systems, Surface Drain, Sump pumps, – Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

 

Emergency Sprinkler Repair Service Drainage Systems French Drains Surface Drains Sump Pumps —  Scheduled Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler Repair

Popup Sprinkler Heads

Servicing Central Oklahoma including: Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, Del City, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Norman, Purcell, Newcastle, Blanchard and surrounding areas.

 

Channel Drain in Oklahoma City

Channel Drain in oklahoma city

Drainage System Installation is a big part of our business.  If you have trouble with standing water after a thunderstorm, or if your sidewalk turns into a moat every time it rains, or worst of all you have water seeping into your home, Give  us a call.  We can quickly diagnose your Drainage problems and design a Drainage System to solve your Drainage Problems.

 

Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman
Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman

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 a Pop-up Emitter which lets water drain over the curb and into the street.

An “Exit Point” is the term used for where all the water leaves the Drainage System.  Determining the Exit Point is very critical.  It is one of the first things we do when diagnosing a Drainage Problem.

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.

Surface Drain Installed next to sidewalk in Oklahoma City.

Surface Drain on Sidewalk

Surface Drain Installed next to sidewalk in Oklahoma City.

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 Drain Pipe that is connected to the Drain.

Surface Drain Installation in Norman

Surface Drain installation

Surface Drain Installation in Norman

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.

Recently we installed a large 6 inch French Drain in a home in North West Edmond.  The home owner was getting water in their floor Duct Work every time it rained.  Installing a large French Drain along the wall in their flower bed solved the problem.  No longer is water seeping into their foundation and coming up in their vents.

Installing Drainage Pipe coming from French Drain in Back Yard

Installing Drainage Pipe coming from French Drain in Back Yard

Looks like a good place for a French Drain!