Posts Tagged ‘Norman Oklahoma French Drain Installation’

Designing a French Drain or a Drainage System, Installation, Lawton, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond

Posted: September 19, 2014 in Drain Repair, french drain, French Drain Design, French Drain Repair
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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.

Channel Drain Across Driveway

French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway

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 downhill 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 Drainpipe 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.

French Drain connected into Drainage System

French Drain connected into Drainage System

I just shake my head when I see 3 French Drains and 5 gutters connected into one exit drainpipe. 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 Drainpipe.  Four Inch Drainpipe is the most common. Six inch Drainpipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6-inch Drainpipe.

Yukon French Drain Contractor – Lawton, Oklahoma City, Norman

Posted: September 17, 2014 in Drain Installation, Drain Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair, Yukon French Drain Installation
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Yukon French Drain Contractor

 

 

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!

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage has been diagnosing and solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  Water has the ability to get into places around your home where you really don’t want it to be.  Some drainage problems are easy to solve.  Typically, water enters the problem drainage area one way from one source.  The really tricky drainage problems occur when water enters the problem drainage area from multiple directions and from multiple sources.  Sometimes a secondary water source can’t be seen or identified until the primary water problem source is eliminated.

An example of this occurs when water is running into a problem area in an obvious way over the ground where you can see it.

Simple enough.

Channel Drain Across Driveway

French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway

A drainage system

is installed with a surface drain as the “intake” with drainage pipe running to an exit point.  Initially the water drains away and everything looks great.  The next day water is back and is all around the surface drain, but below the edge and it hasn’t rained at all, so no additional water ran over the surface of the ground to flood the area.  The primary water source was solved, ( The surface water run off ) but the secondary water source was not.  Which was sub-surface water, (ground water) running into the area.  A surface drain can’t drain “ground water.”  A French Drain should have initially been installed instead of a Surface Drain.  A French Drain can drain both Surface Water and Ground Water.

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage Services all of Central Oklahoma including Norman, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, Purcell and Chickasha.

 

 

 

 

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain

 Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and grass. 

Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t have gutters? After a heavy rain does your sidewalk turn into a moat?  Worst of all, is water seeping into your foundation and duct work after a thunderstorm? 

These are just a few of the Drainage Problems that Oklahoma Drainage and can help with. 

We can design a Drainage System to fit your specific needs. 

We install many types of Drains to solve many types of problems. 

  French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps are utilized.

 

 

 

We just finished a 4-inch Drainage System in Yukon.  It was a complicated system to install.

We utilized a 4 inch French Drain in the flower beds,  a12 inch Surface Drains on the side of the house.

The 6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters came next.  We installed  3 Curb Fittings in the front.

Next, 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 under the sidewalk to the curb.

Finally, we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed 3 curb outlets for 3 separate French Drains.

 

 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!

 

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

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.

Surface Drain with French Drain

Surface Drain beside a French Drain with River Rock

Each solves specific drainage problems.  A Drainage System may use one or both together or even several using many types of drains.

Do you have standing water in a large area in your yard?

Typically, this calls for a French Drain.  A French Drain is a great way to control standing water in a large grassy area.

It can also protect areas from flooding to a certain degree.  As long as the French Drains capacity to move water is not exceeded.  If the French Drains capacity is exceeded then water will stand in the drainage area until the rain stops and the drain has time to catch up.

A good way to prevent this is to install a bigger French Drain with a larger pipe.  The difference between a 3 inch French Drain and a 6 inch French Drain is huge.

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 Downspout Connected to 6 Inch French Drain

Are We Crazy? It’s what the customer wanted!

Recently we installed a French Drain inside the court yard of a rest home in Norman.  We had several interesting challenges to overcome that were not typical for a French Drain Installation.

The courtyard was in the center of the home and was a secure area for the patrons.  We had to put down painters’ tarps to run our wheelbarrows over.

We took out 44 loads of dirt and brought in 52 loads of Crushed one inch limestone for the French Drain.

Each trip was over a hundred yards from the trailer in the parking lot, in the front door, down the hall, making two turns along the way.  Each time we had to be escorted by security.

Needless to say, the installation of this particular drainage system took a while. In the above picture, the French Drain runs along the low area crossing all the areas where water would stand each time it rained.

French Drain in Rest Home Courtyard

When a French Drain is installed,

a big mistake that is made by many people is to cover up the gravel with dirt.  This is a big mistake.  Basically, it is ” Putting the cork back in the bottle.”

If the French Drain is in full sun and has a type of grass surrounding it that spreads on its own such a ” Tift” or “Bermuda”, Grass will grow over it, and the French Drain will eventually disappear.

Grass covering a French Drain is a good thing if it grows across the drain without adding dirt.

The Grass thatch acts a water filter preventing clogging and extending the life of the Drainage System.

When a French Drain is in Full Shade, or the surrounding grass will not spread on its own, such as with Fescue,  other steps must be taken.  One option is to just leave it alone.  If you don’t mind how it looks, it will drain a large amount of water for many years.  Many times, a French Drain can be a landscaping focal point.  They can be dressed up with all kinds of Rocks and Stones and Plants.

 

Just what is a “French Drain?”

 

A French Drain can protect your foundation!

 

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 Drainpipe is connected underground to an outlet on the Drain Basin.  Stormwater Drains through the grate into the Drain Basin.  Once in the Drain Basin, water travels out of the basin through a Drainpipe.  The Stormwater continues downhill in an underground Drainpipe 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 Drainpipe

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 Drainpipe in the bottom of a trench.  The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.   This is to ensure that the Drainpipe 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 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.

Large Water Volume

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 Downspouts connected to it.
The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part isn’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 limestone.  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.

 

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain

 

A French Drain will move large amounts of water from the Drainage Problem Area to the Exit point.

This is a good spot for a French Drain

This is a good spot for a French Drain

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)

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.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair rely on 32 years of experience.  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.

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.

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French Drain in sun or shade – Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Posted: September 13, 2014 in Drain Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair, sprinkler repair
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French Drain Installation in sun or shade.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can show you the difference.

grass growing over french drain

Grass Growing Over French Drain

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.

 

FRENCH DRAIN INSTALLATION IN SUN OR SHADE?

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

French Drains are designed to cover large areas and move lots of water.  During a hard rain, water will seep down through the gravel and into the Perforated French Drainpipe that is buried under the gravel.  The water fills into the pipe and moves downhill to the desired Exit Point.  French Drains like the one in the picture above that are in the sun most of the day will have grass that overgrows the limestone.  The gravel will disappear over time.

Grass will Grow Over the Gravel

The French Drain will continue to work even after the grass has grown over it.  A “Thatch Filter ” is made up of the grass that covers the French Drain.  The French Drain then has two filters.

First is the Neo-Prene Soc that comes around the Perforated French Drainpipe.  Later when the grass grows over it, the French Drain then has a second Thatch Filter.  This ensures that the French Drainpipe won’t clog over time with dirt, sand, or debris.  This only works with grass that does well in the sun like Bermuda or Tift.

Shade Grasses won’t grow up and through French Drain gravel.

YOU DON’T WANT TO COVER THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  IT WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE DRAINAGE PERFORMANCE OF THE FRENCH DRAIN.  IT DEFEATS THE ENTIRE REASON FOR THE FRENCH DRAIN.  IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE WAY IT LOOKS AND CAN’T BE PATIENT ENOUGH TO WAIT UNTIL THE GRASS GROWS THROUGH IT IF IT IS IN THE SUN, THEN DON’T INSTALL IT AT ALL.

IF THE FRENCH DRAIN IS INSTALLED IN THE SHADE, YOU CAN USE DECORATIVE ROCK TO MAKE A FOOT PATH OR ROCK GARDEN ON TOP OF IT.  YOU ARE ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR IMAGINATION.

 

Lawn Sprinklers can have pipes that leak.   PVC Pipe is the most common Sprinkler System Pipe and leaks definitely are possible.

Leaking Sprinkler Pipes

Leaks can occur near Sprinkler Valves.  Water travels through Sprinkler Valves and can leak going in or coming out.

Many Cities require a back-flow valve to protect the City’s water supply.  It can also leak as water passes through the valve.

Leaks can also occur due to tree roots stressing Sprinkler Pipes.  The pipes can be twisted by roots and crack or break.

Water inside Sprinkler Pipes can freeze and break or crack the PVC Pipe.

Move sprinkler heads, Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond

There are many reasons for moving Sprinkler Heads.

If you put in a new pool, most of the sprinkler heads will need to be moved.

Sprinkler Heads need to be moved if you have new landscaping installed.

Sometimes Sprinkler Heads weren’t in a good place to begin with.  They need to be moved!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help.  We have been moving Sprinkler Heads since 1993.

In 32 years, we have moved a lot of Heads for Customers in Central and Western Oklahoma.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide 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.

Emergency Sprinkler Repair is also available.

405 203 9419

Sprinkler Head Installation

Moving Sprinkler Head

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

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.

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

Emergency Sprinkler Repair

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

IF YOU NEED HELP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR ON A WEEKEND WITH YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM, GIVE US A CALL.

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR.  405 203 9419

IT MAY TAKE A FEW HOURS FOR US TO GET THERE BUT WE WILL COME TO HELP.

 

One Common problem is that they continue to run and won’t shut off.  In most cases this is a problem with a sprinkler valve that has “Stuck” in the on position.

This can be temporarily solved by shutting of the Emergency Shutoff Valve.  The problem is that some sprinkler systems don’t have one to turn off or if they do the homeowner doesn’t know where it is.

It may be on the back-flow valve which may be located on the side of the house under a big plastic fake rock.

Many sprinkler systems in Oklahoma have them. (50 % ?)  Under the plastic rock is a back-flow valve with two shut off handles.  Usually, they have blue or green or tan handles.  Turn one of the handles and it should shut off the water to your sprinkler system.

Other times the Emergency Shutoff Valve is in a box in the ground out by the curb near your water meter.  The valve box will have a green lid.  Sometimes they are difficult to open.  Many times, I had to pry them open with a flat head screwdriver.

 

Inside the valve box is a plastic handle that can turn off the water to the sprinkler system.  It can be blue or red or grey in color.

Many times, the valve box will be full of dirt, and you can’t turn or even see the handle until some of the dirt has been dug out by hand.

 

Water might be shooting up in the air somewhere on your property.  This can be caused by a broken sprinkler pipe or sprinkler valve.

SHUT OFF THE SPRINKLER WATER IF YOU CAN AND GIVE US A CALL.

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR. SERVICING ALL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA.

405 203 9419

Servicing Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and all of Central and Western Oklahoma

 

 

French Drain Ideas, as Part of a Drainage System or by themselves, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Lawton

Posted: September 9, 2014 in french drain, French Drain Ideas, 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.

Or 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.

Or 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.

Channel Drain Across Driveway

Oklahoma City Channel Drain

FRENCH DRAINS AS PART OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR BY THEMSELVES

A  French Drain can be a part of a Drainage System or can stand alone.  A Drainage System is made up of one or several types of Drains connected in sequence moving down hill toward an exit or release point.  What makes up or determines the recipe of a Drainage System depends on the “Drainage Diagnosis.”  Every Drainage System is unique to some degree.

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

French Drain Trench Going Under Sidewalk

For Example, A four inch French Drain may run across a hillside, transition to solid 4 inch Solid Drain Pipe while running under a sidewalk, then connecting into a 12 inch Surface Drain in a low spot,  Solid Drain Pipe then could continue to a garage foundation where the Solid Drain Pipe changes back to 4 inch French Drain again and runs along the foundation for say 60 feet.  Next the French Drain changes again to 4 inch Solid Drain Pipe and continues under a fence to a Pop-Up Emitter which is the exit point.  This again is just one example of a Drainage System with 2 French Drains and one Surface Drain being the main parts.  This would be considered a “Complex Drainage System.”

A simple Drainage System might be a 6 inch French Drain running along a driveway, turning slightly and changing to 6 inch Solid Drain Pipe and continuing to a Curb Fitting as an Exit Point.

French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, Sprinkler Repair, with 30 years of experience. 

FRENCH DRAIN DESIGN

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.

Determining the size of the French Drainpipe

can be difficult.  If the French Drain is not very big and has no Gutter Down-Spouts or Surface Drains connected to it then 3 inch or 4-inch French Drain Pipe may be used.  If the French Drain is large or has many gutters or Surface Drains connected into it, then you should use 6 Inch French Drain Pipe or larger.

French Drain Pipe Installation

French Drainpipe Installation

French Drain Design is also determined by the Problem Drainage Area.  If water is moving into the Problem Drainage Area underground (Sub-Surface), then installing a French Drain is a “Must!”  French Drains can move Sub-Surface water as well as Surface Water.  Surface Drains can only move Surface Water.  This is why French Drains do such a good job protecting driveways, sidewalks, and foundations.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs French Drains and Drainage Systems in all of Central Oklahoma including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Mustang, Yukon, and Midwest City.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419

French Drain Installation —   French Drains are designed to do a lot of things.  If you have an area that has unwanted water standing in it or running across it, a French Drain can be the answer.

A French Drain is a trench that runs across the Drainage Problem Area.  A French Drainpipe is placed in the bottom of the trench.  The Pipe is perforated with thousands of small holes.  In most cases the Drainpipe has a nylon soc around the pipe to act as a filter for the French Drain.

The trench is then filled with some type of small rock or stone.  We typically use crushed 1 inch Limestone to cover the French Drainpipe.  The dirt that was dug out of the trench is taken away or spread out around the French Drain.  The Limestone replaces the dirt and fills the French Drain Trench all the way to the surface. 

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

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Recently installed a Drainage System in Nichols Hills.  The Drainage System was made up of a 4-inch French Drain starting in the back yard.  It ran between the garage and the pool.  Several gutters were connected directly into the French Drain.  From this point, we expanded up to a larger 6-inch Drainpipe to handle the added water into the system from the gutters.  In several places the French Drain had to run through areas where Sprinkler Pipes were in the way.  We had to re-rout all the Sprinkler Pipes and Wires under the French Drain.

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.

When Installing a French Drain as part of a Drainage System, there are many things to consider.

What is the primary source of water coming into the problem drainage area.

Are there secondary sources of water entering the area.

What are they and how many.

How fast does water enter the area and how often.

What are the potential exit points for the water, Where do we want to take the water too.  Is there more than one potential exit point to increase drainage capacity.

Does the customer want a Drainage System or a Flood Prevention System and does he understand the difference.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in  South Oklahoma City.  The Home owner had a sump Pump in their basement that was fed from a French Drain outside the Basement Wall.  The French Drain was 14 feet down along the Stem wall of the house.  The French Drain Pipe was cheap and had collapsed.  We brought in a Mini Excavator and dug up the pipe and replaced it with Durable ADS 4 inch perf/soc French Drain pipe.  In the end, we were able to dig up the pipe and Replace it.

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO LIBRARY!

Photos of French Drains

Pictures of Surface Drains

Photos of Channel Drains

Pictures of Sprinkler System Installation

Photos of Sprinkler Repair

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

Posted: September 2, 2014 in french drain, French Drain Repair
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 FRENCH DRAIN IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA, 

Oklahoma Drainage – French Drain Installation, Drainage System Design,  Drain Repair 

Recently Oklahoma Drainage  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 French Drain 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 French Drain would transition to Solid 6 inch Drain Pipe and continue on around the house to the Pop-Up Emitter down hill in the side yard.  Along the way we attached several Gutter Down Spouts into the French Drain.

 

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

Oklahoma Drainage — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been diagnosing and solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  Water has the ability to get into places around your home where you really don’t want it to be.  Some drainage problems are easy to solve.  Typically water enters the problem drainage area one way from one source.  The really tricky drainage problems occur when water enters the problem drainage area from multiple directions and from multiple sources.  Sometimes a secondary water source can’t be seen or identified until the primary water problem source is eliminated.

An example of this occurs when water is running into a problem area in an obvious way over the ground where you can see it.

Simple enough.

A drainage system is installed with a surface drain as the “intake” with drainage pipe running to an exit point.  Initially the water drains away and everything looks great.  The next day water is back and is all around the surface drain, but below the edge and it hasn’t rained at all, so no additional water ran over the surface of the ground to flood the area.  The primary water source was solved, ( The surface water run off ) but the secondary water source was not.  Which was sub-surface water, (ground water) running into the area.  A surface drain can’t drain “ground water.”  A French Drain should have initially been installed instead of a Surface Drain.  A French Drain can drain both Surface Water and Ground Water.

 

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

 

Oklahoma Drainage  Services all of Central Oklahoma including: Norman, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, Purcell and Chickasha.

 

 

 

 

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain

 Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to  sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and  grass.  Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t  have gutters, or does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a heavy rain,  or worst of all, is water seeping into your foundation and duct work  after a thunderstorm?  Theses are just a few of the Drainage  Problems that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help with.  We can design a Drainage  System to fit your specific needs.  We install many types  of Drains  to solve many types of problems.    French  Drains, Surface  Drains, Channel  Drains, Basement  Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump  Pumps are utilized.

 

 

4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
Running French Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

Running French Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

Oklahoma Drainage installs Surface Drains in Sidewalks and Driveways as shown above.  We also install French Drains and Channel Drains.  This particular Surface Drain was installed to keep water from running down the driveway into the garage.  Problem solved!

 

Check out our Photo Library.  We have Pictures of French Drains and Pictures of Surface Drains.

French Drain Specialist, Oklahoma City, Choctaw, Mid West City, Norman, Edmond /

Posted: April 12, 2014 in Drain Repair, Drainage Problems, Drainage System, french drain, French Drain Repair
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IF YOU NEED WATER DRAINED AWAY FROM YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS CALL OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE – 405-203 9419

We install all types of Drainage Systems and French Drains.

French Drain Installation is a primary focus for us.

french drain river rock

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

Since 1993 we have gained a lot of experience addressing drainage problems.  Drainage problems can be complicated.  The solution is not always clear to the untrained eye. We have repaired or overhauled many french drains and drainage systems that were installed by, “weekend warriors, a brother-in-law, or a landscaping company that also installs drains.”  They all can install Drainage Systems, Just not very well.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has over 26 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  This ensures that a Drainage System that we install won’t have Drain Pipes that are too small, or Surface Drains installed where French Drains Should be placed, or Exit Points that allow water to Stand and become stagnant.  The above examples are just three of many “Pit – Falls” that our experienced Drainage System Experts can easily avoid.

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

 

Our Drainage Systems utilize:

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

Surface Drains, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 12 inch

Channel Drains, 2 inch, and 4 inch

Sump Pumps 3/4 horse to two horse

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

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

 

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

 

 

 

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,We specialize in just that!

Moore French Drain Contractor, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Lawton, French Drain Installation

Posted: April 2, 2012 in Drainage System Repair, french drain, French Drain Repair, Moore French Drain Contractor, Norman French Drain Contractor
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Moore French Drain Contractor.  We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

 

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

FRENCH DRAIN IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA, 

Oklahoma Drainage – French Drain Installation, Drainage System Design, Expert Drain Repair 

Recently Oklahoma Drainage 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 French Drain 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 French 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.

 

Channel Drain in Oklahoma City

Channel Drain in Oklahoma City

 

 

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been diagnosing and solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  Water has the ability to get into places around your home where you really don’t want it to be.  Some drainage problems are easy to solve.  Typically, water enters the problem drainage area one way from one source.  The really tricky drainage problems occur when water enters the problem drainage area from multiple directions and from multiple sources.  Sometimes a secondary water source can’t be seen or identified until the primary water problem source is eliminated.

An example of this occurs when water is running into a problem area in an obvious way over the ground where you can see it.

Simple enough.

A drainage system is installed with a surface drain as the “intake” with drainage pipe running to an exit point.  Initially the water drains away, and everything looks great.  The next day water is back and is all around the surface drain, but below the edge and it hasn’t rained at all, so no additional water ran over the surface of the ground to flood the area.

The primary water source was solved, (The surface water run off) but the secondary water source was not.  Which was sub-surface water, (ground water) running into the area.  A surface drain can’t drain “ground water.”  A French Drain should have initially been installed instead of a Surface Drain.  A French Drain can drain both Surface Water and Ground Water.

 

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Services all of Central Oklahoma including Norman, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, Purcell and Chickasha.

 

 

 

 

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain

 Standing water comes from many sources.  It causes damage to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations not to mention plants, trees, and grass.  Does the side of your house flood because your neighbor doesn’t have gutters, or does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a heavy rain, or worst of all, is water seeping into your foundation and duct work after a thunderstorm?  These are just a few of the Drainage  Problems that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can help with.  We can design a Drainage System to fit your specific needs.  We install many types of Drains to solve many types of problems.    French  Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basement  Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps are utilized.

 

 

4 Inch Drain Pipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.

Surface Drainpipe

4 Inch Drainpipe Ready to be covered with dirt in Norman.
Running French Drain Pipe Under Sidewalk

Running French Drainpipe Under Sidewalk

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

Oklahoma Drainage installs Surface Drains in Sidewalks and Driveways as shown above.  We also install French Drains and Channel Drains.  This particular Surface Drain was installed to keep water from running down the driveway into the garage.  Problem solved!

 

Check out our Photo Library.  We have Pictures of French Drains and Pictures of Surface Drains.

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage Services all of Central Oklahoma including: Norman, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, Purcell and Chickasha.

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Drainage System Installation in Norman

 

 

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. We utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.

Keep water off your driveway with a channel drain 

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

 

 

Do you have standing water or drainage problems in or around your home or business? Does (stormwater) cause backyard drainage problems, sidewalk drainage problems, landscape drainage problems, or worst of all, is water seeping into your home or basement?

 

 

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

Posted: January 9, 2012 in french drain, French Drain Installation, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service
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Lawton Oklahoma French Drain Installation.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprikler Repair has installed French Drains in Lawton since 1993.  We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

French Drain Installed in Lawton

We Install Drainage Systems to fit various needs for homeowners and 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 Drainpipe.  Next, The Drainpipe 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 Pipe) which can be many sizes or type. The EXIT (A Curb Outlet or Pop-Up Emitter)

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 rainfall 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.

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.

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 downhill from the problem area.  If it is up hill in all directions from the problem area, then the only solution is a Sump Pump.

Determine Exit Points

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.

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 Drainpipe 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 System’s Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area floods.

French Drain connected into Drainage System

French Drain connected into Drainage System

I just shake my head

when I see 3 French Drains and 5 gutters connected into one exit drainpipe. 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 Drainpipe.  Four Inch Drainpipe is the most common. Six-inch Drainpipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6-inch Drainpipe.

French Drain Installation with colored river rock and Edging

French Drain with colored river rock and Edging

Wow!

A hard rain came through last night.   Hard rains in Oklahoma typically cause flooding. Standing water is never a good thing.  It causes damage to grass, trees, sidewalks, foundations, and driveways. We can help if you have Drainage Problems with your home or small business.  If you live in Central Oklahoma, we can provide a free estimate for a drainage system that will address your specific Drainage Problems.

Get rid of standing water!

Oklahoma Drainage utilize:

French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Basin Drains, Basement Drains, Trench Drains, and Sump Pumps. We install a variety of drains to solve a variety of Drainage Problems.  If you live in Central Oklahoma and have trouble with standing water after a thunderstorm, or if your driveway turns into a moat after a hard rain, or worst of all, you have water seeping into your home, give us a call

 

Moore Oklahoma French Drain Installation, Channel Drain Installation,Norman, Edmond, Lawton

Posted: March 5, 2011 in Channel Drain, Channel Drain Install, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma Drainage also installs a variety of other types of Drains.  Our Drainage Systems may utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.  In the past 26 years, we have installed French Drains to keep water away from home and business foundations, Surface Drains to keep water away from sidewalks and driveways,  Trench Drains, and French Drains to keep standing water out of flowerbeds and yards, and Sump Pumps to remove water from basements and outdoor low lying areas.

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

 

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, We specialize in just that!

 

 

For most of us our home or business is our most important investment.  Standing Water can cause damage to what is important to us.  High Water from Storm-Water Runoff deteriorates concrete and cement.  This means that our driveways, sidewalks, and foundations need protection from prolonged exposure to Standing Water.  (Not to mention damage to plants, trees, and grass) WE have have been solving Drainage Problems since 1993.  If you live in Central Oklahoma we can quickly provide a free estimate.

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

Posted: February 9, 2011 in Drain Installation, Drain Repair, Drainage Problems, drains, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — 405 203 9419

FRENCH DRAIN, SURFACE DRAIN PHOTOS AND INFORMATION

 

 Standing water can cause many types of property damage ranging from foundation problems to cracked sidewalks and dead plants and shrubs.  If you have need of French Drain or Surface Drain, give us a  call.  We provide free estimates for all of central Oklahoma.

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

 

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

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.   

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,
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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.

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 Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

 

 

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