Posts Tagged ‘Norman Oklahoma French Drain’

Open French Drain Evolution.

French Drains today are not what they once were.  In the 1970s they might be installed by a landscaper or a brother-in-law who might have known a little about drainage.

French Drains were “Capped” in most cases.  Which means that the gravel in the French Drain had Dirt on top of it.  A Capped French Drain can only remove Ground Water.  It does nothing to remove “Surface Water.”

Ground Water

Ground Water is what it sounds like.  It is below ground.  Ground Water moves slowly downhill underground.

Surface Water

Surface water is also just what it sounds like.  It is water above ground.  In every case Surface Water moves downhill much faster than ground water.

Surface Drains

Surface Drains were added to or connected to Capped French Drain.  This improved the situation a little bit.  Some of the Surface Water went into the Surface Drain that was connected to the Capped French Drainpipe which then took the Mixture of surface water and ground water to the drain exit.

 

This combination of Surface Drains connected to Capped French Drain Failed during heavy Rains, however.   Fast moving Surface Water would just run around the Surface Drain and head on down the hill.  Other times the Surface Drains could not take in the water fast enough into the Drainpipe.  For this design to work, the Surface Water had to be moving slowly, and the Surface Drains had to be placed in low lying areas.

Over Time

Over time the above design would drain water away.  Depending on the volume this could take minutes or days.

Open French Drain

 

French Drain Near Driveway

French Drain Protecting Driveway

Out of necessity, the Open French Drain was born.  Simply put, don’t put dirt on top of the French Drain.  Fill the French Drain Trench completely with Gravel.

This design eliminates the need for the Surface Drains.  Water is taken in much faster than the surface drains ever could.  The Open French Drain also could cover a much larger and broader area.

Parts of a French Drain

Parts of a French Drain are Drainage Trench, French Drain Trench Liner, French Drainpipe, Gravel or Crushed Limestone, Transition Drainpipe and Drainage Exit.

Drainage Trench

A Drainage Trench is where a French Drainpipe is located.  The Drainpipe is placed in the bottom of the Drainage Trench.   It needs to be in a low area where the water is standing or flowing toward.

French Drain Trench Liner

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

The White Material is the Trench Liner. The black material is the Pipe Filter.

A liner is placed in the bottom of the Drainage Trench.  This liner allows water to enter the French Drain from the dirt surrounding the French Drain.  Underground water, AKA “Sub-Surface Water, “can be drained away.

French Drainpipe

French Drainpipe is perforated.  It is full of thousands of little holes.  The holes allow water to enter the French Drainpipe.  This can be Surface Water or Sub-Surface water.  A cloth filter is wrapped around the pipe.

Gravel or Crushed Limestone

Gravel or Crushed limestone is used to fill the French Drain Trench once the Perforated Pipe is installed.

Transition Drainpipe

A Transition Drainpipe is a Solid Pipe that is connected to the Downhill end of the French Drain.  It takes water away from the French Drain.

Drainage Exit

A Drainage Exit is a release point.  This is where water leaves the Solid Transition Drainpipe.

Pop up emitters

Pop up emitters for French Drain

Pop-Up Emitters are one potential exit for a Drainage System.

A Curb Outlet can also be used as an exit.

Curb Outlet for french drain

Curb Outlet for French Drain

 

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

French Drains can utilize several types and sizes of French Drainpipe.  An older type that is not commonly used any more is 4-inch PVC Pipe with large half inch holes drilled in the Pipe.  This doesn’t work very well, Because the holes are too large and the number of holes in the French Drainpipe are too few.  Also, there is no filter or “Soc” around this particular French Drainpipe.  If it is used in sandy or loose soil the holes will clog and the pipe will fill up with sand.  PVC French 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.

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 Drainage Systems.

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.

6 Inch Pipe

Six-inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drainpipe is usually a good idea when possible.  It carries a much larger volume of water.  Six Inch pipes are rarely overwhelmed.

Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.  We have installed sod for all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

We install sod and provide lawn leveling and dirt work services for all of Central and Western Oklahoma.  If you live in Edmond and need a low spot fixed in your yard, or if you live in Norman and want Fescue Sod installed under a tree in your front yard, we can help.

Oklahoma Drainage Installs Sod, Levels Lawns.   We also Install:  French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.

Bermuda Sod Installed in Winter

Oklahoma Drainage Now is adding Sod Installation to our Drainage System Services.

Fescue

We install Fescue and Bermuda Sod by the “Pallet.”  Each Pallet provides roughly 450 square feet per pallet.

In the above picture, we installed two pallets of Fescue.  It was unrolled in the back yard and totally changed the appearance of the Yard.

new back yard sod

Fescue Sod in the back yard.

Fescue Sod must be installed in the shade and needs a lot of watering at the time of installation.  It also needs water on a regular basis to maintain it.

 

Bermuda

on the other hand needs sun and doesn’t do very well in a heavily shaded area.  It also is a little hardier than fescue and is more heat resistant.   It also needs lots of water at the time of installation.

Both types of sod need attention and water until they are established.  You can’t just unroll the new sod and leave it and expect good results.

If you have a Lawn Sprinkler System, then you are ahead of the game.  Dragging hoses around to keep new sod alive is a lot of work and must be taken into consideration before making a purchase.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair, can deliver up to two Pallets of Sod at a time.

 

 

If you live in Norman and would like to have Fescue installed in your back yard, or your Edmond home needs Bermuda installed along the driveway, Give us a call.  Oklahoma City Residents are our largest sod customers, but we will deliver to Altus, Lawton, Ardmore,

Fescue sod in Edmond

Fescue Sod installed in Edmond

In the picture above, we also installed the metal “Back Yard Lighting” Poles set in concrete and then the new sod installed around them.  It looks nice.

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.

We also have fixed a broken Sprinkler Pipe or Two.  Seems like a million.  Ok, not that many.

I wonder how many?  A lot!!!!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

Edmond Oklahoma French Drain Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.

405 203 9419  Call or Text

Since 1993 Oklahoma Drainage has installed over 1200 drains in the city limits of Edmond Oklahoma. 

We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma. 

Sprinkler Repair is also available as well as Channel Drain, Surface Drain and Sump Pump Installation.  We Even Install Sod.  

People think, “I need a French Drain along my driveway.”  Or they think, ” I need a Channel Drain set in my patio.”  There are lots of different drains to fill lots of different needs.

Ducks In the French Drain

I should hire these guys to test French Drains.

A Drain however is only the “Intake” part of a Drainage System.  There is also the ” Transition.”  This takes the water where you want it to go once inside the Drainage System.  There is also the “Exit.”  This is the place where water leaves the Drainage System. A Drainage System can be complex or simple.  A complex Drainage System may utilize many types of Drains with Several Different Transitions.

 

Check Out Our Drain Photo Library

Complex Drainage System

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.

 Simple Drainage

might be one drain connected to one drainpipe running to one Exit. 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.

surface drain installation

Surface Drain installed in Flag Stone.

“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. In Review, there are Simple and Complex Drainage Systems according to design. There are also 2 Categories of Drainage Systems based on Performance.

  1. Standard Drainage Systems
  2. Flood Prevention Systems

A Standard Drainage System is a System that Drains away water after it enters the Problem Drainage Area. Once in the area the water is drained away over time. The better the Drainage System, the faster and more completely the water is removed.

Flood Prevention System

 Flood Prevention Systems are a Drainage Systems that intercepts water before it ever enters the Problem Drainage Area. They are typically more robust.  Flood Prevention Systems must have larger pipes or more pipes to handle extreme flooding.

Standing Water

Standing Water Needs a French Drain

Where They Fail

There may be situations where Drainage Systems or Flood Prevention Systems fail due to extreme flooding. A flood may put the Exit point of the Drainage System under water.  If your entire property is under water, nothing will drain until the flood goes away.

With that being said, Your Drainage System may be in a location that it is impossible to flood or very unlikely. So, Step one is to decide,” Do I want a Standard Drainage System? OR Do I want a Flood Prevention System?”

Note!

Flood Prevention Systems are more costly and take longer to install than Drainage Systems.

Oklahoma Drainage provides top quality Sprinkler Repair Service. 

If you live in Oklahoma City and need a Sprinkler Head moved, we can help. 

You might have a Sprinkler Pipe leak that needs attention. 

A Sprinkler Valve might we wore out as well.   A Sprinkler System Checkup for Spring may be needed. 

For these problems and many others, Oklahoma Drainage can help. We service Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203-9419

Edmond Oklahoma French Drain Installation is a Central Focus for Oklahoma Drainage.

Some Simple rules about French Drains and Surface Drains.

A French Drain should be installed when there is a large volume of water to be drained over a large area.  Surface Drains are needed when the water volume is smaller, and the Drainage Area is small and focused.  French Drains move away Surface Water and Sub-Surface water.  Surface Drains move only surface water.

 

 

French Drain Placed Under River Rock

French Drain Placed Under River Rock

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – 405 203 9419

A Trench Liner is a semi-permeable fabric that lets water pass through it into the French Drain.

It is placed in the empty French Drain Trench before the French Drainpipe or Gravel are installed.

The Trench Liner’s purpose is to Maintain the integrity and functionality of the French Drain without allowing Debris to enter or clog the Perforated Pipe.

Debris typically is Mulch or Grass Clippings.  It can even be sand or dirt.

Installing a Trench Liner is the Key to ensuring that the French Drain will work correctly for a long time.  I have installed French Drains in 1993 that still work.

The white fabric in the picture above is the Trench Liner.  The black fabric around the pipe is the Pipe Filter.  They work together to make the French Drain last.

Many “Weekend Warriors,” or Landscape Companies that don’t specialize in French Drain Installation, skip installing Trench Liner and Pipe Filter.   It may save a small amount of time or money.

Big mistake!

In a short amount of time the French Drain will clog up and quit working.

Perforated French Drainpipe with Soc

Perforated French Drainpipe with Pipe Filter

What is the point of installing a French Drain if it won’t last very long?

A French Drain is one part of a Drainage System.

Drainage Systems have three parts, an “INTAKE,’ A “TRANSITION,” and an “EXIT.”

A French Drain takes water in through a perforated pipe.  This is the, “Intake,” portion mentioned above.  The French Drain is how the water gets into the Drainage System.

The Perforated Pipe is placed at the bottom of the Drainage Trench.

To Review, A French Drain’s Job is to put water into the Drainage System

 

 

A Gutter Connection to French Drain.  Oklahoma Drainage Recommends connection of Gutter Downspouts to French Drains where possible.

Water coming from the Gutter Downspout is moving faster than the water already in the French Drain.  It causes suction in the French Drain Behind the Gutter.  The additional suction causes the French Drain to work even better than normal, moving more water faster.  This is called the ” Bernoulli Principle.”

Sometimes customers can hear the suction sound from the French Drain when it is raining. 

Connecting Gutter Downspouts to a French Drain is always a good Idea where performance is concerned.  

Water flows faster through the drain and takes water in faster too!

 

Oklahoma Drainage

provides top quality Sprinkler Repair Service.  If you live in Oklahoma City and need a Sprinkler Head moved, we can help.  You might have a Sprinkler Pipe leak that needs attention.  An Old Sprinkler Valve can cause problems.  You might just want a Sprinkler System Checkup for Spring.  For these problems and many others, Oklahoma Drainage can help. We service Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

 

Sometimes things go wrong with sprinkler systems.

 

 

OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE AND SPRINKLER REPAIR.  405 203 9419

 

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

 

 

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. We also have fixed a broken Sprinkler Pipe or Two.  Seems like a million.  Ok, not that many. I wonder how many?  A lot!!!!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang

Recently in Edmond

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

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

 
French Drain Installation Next to Wall

French Drain Installation Next to Wall, Installing Trench Liner

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

Structural Engineer  

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

Norman Oklahoma French Drain Installation,

Water in Floor Vents and Duct Work.

Recently we installed a 4-inch French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter In West Norman on Harrogate Street.  Our customer had a heavy water build up area on the side of her house.  Water would pool up during a rain and sink down into her flower bed.  Once the slab and foundation of the house got very wet, the water would seep into the floor ducts for their Central Heat and Air unit.  This is bad for several reasons. A wet foundation causes deterioration of the cement.  Cracks can occur leading to all sorts of other problems. Water In your floor vents promotes mold and all the problems that come with that as well.

Below is a French Drain with a Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

 

french drain installation

French Drain in Edmond

Oklahoma Drainage Installed 4 Inch French Drain with trench liner and pipe filter about one foot away from the wall where all the water was standing and penetrating the Duct Work.   

The French Drain ran parallel to the house for 60 Feet.  At that point the French Drain transitioned to 4 Inch solid ADS Drainpipe and continued South an additional 80 feet to a Curb Outlet installed at the street.

We cut the curb

and installed a Curb Outlet with Acrylic Concrete to make it look nice and last without chipping. Along the course of the French Drain, we also connected 2 Gutter Down Spouts Directly into the French Drain.

This provides more efficient movement of the storm water to the exit but also creates suction in the French Drain behind it. This is called the “Bernoulli Effect.” If you remember your High School Science Class.  

Oklahoma Drainage has used these simple concepts many times to provide a solution to the above problem. Water still had to be vacuumed out of the Duct Work.  But Future water was and is kept out of the Duct Work and Floor Vents.  Also, the Foundation Stays Dry.  No mold or foundation Break Down.

Oklahoma Drainage – We install French Drains, Channel Drains, Surface Drains, Sump Pumps and Sod.

If You live in Oklahoma City and water is damaging your foundation, we can install a French Drain for you.

Water may be standing on your driveway.   Channel Drain Installation is a Solution.

If you live in Edmond and have water flooding your basement, we can install a Sump Pump for you.

 Flooding in your flowerbed can be solved with a Surface Drain.

If you live in Yukon and need grass to grow, we can install Sod too!

Check Out Parts of a French Drain

 

 

 

 

  A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.   French Drains consists of a Perforated Drainpipe in the bottom of a trench.  A Trench Liner should be used to keep the gravel clean. The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.   This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used.  This gives room for the gravel or crushed limestone to be used to fill the trench on top of the French Drainpipe.

Drainpipe Sizes

There are several sizes of French Drainpipe.   Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drainpipe. The dirt that is taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available. I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.

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.

 

 

Think about this! French Drain Design must take into account many variables.  You should consider your type of soil before installing a  French Drain.

  It will dictate how hard the digging will be.

  A Trench Liner should be used to prevent soil from moving into the gravel of the French Drain.  Trench Liners are relatively inexpensive and are not hard to install.   Install the Trench Liner in the French Drain During Installation. 

Installation of a French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma

Installation of a French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma

Drainage Systems are 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.

 

Oklahoma Drainage has been installing French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps Since 1993.  Over 30 years is a long time!

French Drain Benefit That I Never Expected

Take a minute and CLICK the above link.  It makes me smile!

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 Perforated French Drainpipe is placed in the bottom of the trench.  The pipe has thousands of holes in it to let water into the French Drainpipe.

The Drainage Trench has a “Trench Liner,” installed to maintain the integrity of the French Drain.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

The White Material is the Trench Liner. The black material is the Pipe Filter.

The pipe is placed in the bottom of the trench on top of the Trench Liner.

Next, crushed limestone or gravel is dumped on top of the French Drainpipe until the trench is full.

 

This French Drain was Installed in Norman. Below is the final product.

 

Channel Drain

The picture below shows a Channel Drain Installed by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.

The above picture is a Channel Drain Installed in Lawton.  The concrete is still wet.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain With Trench Liner and Pipe Filter In Blanchard Oklahoma

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter In Blanchard Oklahoma

Next we have a French Drain Installed in Blanchard.

French Drain Under Gravel Flower Bed

French Drain Under Gravel Flower Bed

This is a picture of a French Drain Installed under a gravel flower bed in Edmond.

Norman French Drain Help, Information, Pictures, Service

Not Your Average French Drain!

Recently Oklahoma Drainage Installed a Double 4 Inch Horseshoe French Drain on Harrogate Drive in West Norman.

Extreme Flooding

Our customer had extreme flooding in his back yard after every hard rain.  He took video and showed it to us.  His entire back yard looked like a pond about a foot deep.  He was getting water for three neighbors houses. One on the left, One on the right, and the Neighbor directly behind him.

After doing a Drainage Diagnostic we put together a design that would solve his flooding issues.  Our Drainage Design called for a Double 4-inch French Drain.  This is a French Drain that moves more water than a single 4-inch French Drain or even a single 6-inch French Drain.  A Double 4-inch French Drain is two 4-inch Drainpipes laid side by side in the bottom of a wider drainage trench than what is required for a single 4- or 6-inch Pipe.  Two 4-inch pipes become an 8-inch French Drain when placed together in one Drainage Trench.

Installing 4 Inch French Drain with trench Liner and pipe filter

The White Material is the Trench Liner. The black material is the Pipe Filter.

Horseshoe Drain

Next the Drainage System Design called for a “Horseshoe” Application.  This means that there are 2 Exits for the French Drain, one on each side of the house.  The French Drain goes all the way around the house in the shape of a “Horseshoe”.  Water can then Exit the French Drain on the Left side of the house or on the Right side.  Being that there were 2 Four Inch French Drainpipes running all the way around the house, this meant that there would be two curb outlets on the Left Side and two on the Right Side.  Below is a picture.

A Plan

Having our Drainage System Design all planned out, We began Installation.  The length of the French Drain was almost 200 Feet.

Installing The Curb Outlets usually is the last thing we do in completing the Drainage Project.

We had the entire French Drain installed correctly except for the Curb Outlets when the rain started.  Heavy Rain came to Norman before we could finish the last step.

The Double 4-inch French Drain with Horseshoe Design Worked perfectly with the water pouring into the street on both sides through the open pipe.

The next day we installed 2 Curb Outlets one of them being the picture above.

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.

We also have fixed a broken Sprinkler Pipe or Two.  Seems like a million.  Ok, not that many.

I wonder how many?  A lot!!!!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

Sprinkler System Checkup Norman.

Lots of things can be done to make sure your Sprinkler System is ready to go.  All the Sprinkler Zones should be checked one by one.  The sprinkler heads and valves need to be checked to see if anything needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Sprinkler System Checkup is a Service Provided by Oklahoma Drainage since 1993.

Today we did a sprinkler repair in Norman.  The sprinkler system needed a checkup.

We went through each sprinkler zone and identified several different problems.

Zone 2 had a cracked sprinkler pipe in a flower bed.

A broken Rotor Sprinkler head was found immediately.

Next, zone five look good with no problems.

Zone 6 and 7 each had a couple of pop-up spray heads that were worn out and would not pop-up.  The diagnosis and the repair took less than two hours.  Now their sprinkler system is running great!

Now is a good time to have a Sprinkler System Checkup provided by Oklahoma Drainage.

Sprinkler Systems need to be checked before winter to prevent pipes from freezing.  Sprinkler Design determines whether sprinkler lines need to be bled.  Emergency shut off valves also need to be checked and turned off for the winter.

In the Spring, all the water needs to be turned back on and all sprinkler zones and heads need to be tested.

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.

We also have fixed a broken Sprinkler Pipe or Two.  Seems like a million.  Ok, not that many.

I wonder how many?  A lot!!!!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

Sprinkler Valves

Sprinkler Valve Replacement is a service that Oklahoma Drainage has provided Since 1993.  Recently we removed 3 Rainbird Sprinkler Valves and replaced them with new ones.  The valves had been crushed accidentally when a landscaper drove his truck across the yard.

Sprinkler System Check-Up in Edmond, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Moore.

 

 

Sprinkler System Check-Up process is very straightforward.  We run through all the Sprinkler Zones one-at-a- time from the controller. 

Sprinkler Controller

Sprinkler controllers can be a problem source.   Many times, the wires in the controller are loose or have a “Short” in one of the wires.  Sprinkler Programming can be a source of frustration.  We can help with Programming your controller.

We check all the sprinkler heads in that zone and the valves as well.

Once the Sprinkler System Checkup is Complete, we provide a Quote for what it will cost to make the needed repairs.

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.  405 203 9419

Sprinkler Valve Replacement is a service that Oklahoma Drainage has provided Since 1993.  Recently we removed 3 Rainbird Sprinkler Valves and replaced them with new ones.  The valves had been crushed accidentally when a landscaper drove his truck across the yard.

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.

We also have fixed a broken Sprinkler Pipe or Two.  Seems like a million.  Ok, not that many.

I wonder how many?  A lot!!!!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide Service for all of Central Oklahoma Including:  Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, Yukon and Mustang.

First Step

First, we dug up a good working area surrounding the broken Sprinkler Valves.  Next, we cut out the broken valves and crushed PVC pipes.  Finally, PVC pipe was cut and glued with new Sprinkler Valves following the original design and configuration.  In this case the three original sprinkler valves were connected to each other inside one Valve Box.

We aren’t done yet though; two sprinkler wires must be connected to each Valve.  One sprinkler wire is the “Common Ground.”  The other wire is the power wire.  All the sprinkler wiring is connected with water-proof wire connections.

The Common Ground wire and the Individual Power Wires all come from the Sprinkler Controller.  Each Sprinkler Valve has its own power wire coming from the Controller.  All the Sprinkler Valves are Connected to the Same Common Ground Wire.

Sprinkler Valve Replacement

Oklahoma City Sprinkler Repair

Before We Finish

Before dirt can be put back around the new valves, testing must be done.  Each valve must be turned on, “one-at-a-time,” at the Controller to ensure good wire connection and functionality.  Also, the Sprinkler Valves must be checked for leaks in the PVC Pipe.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provides Expert Service for Sprinkler Heads, Valves, Controllers and all other Sprinkler System difficulties.  We service Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, and Midwest City.

Blanchard Sprinkler Repair has been provided by Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair since 1993.

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.

Sprinkler Head Installation

 

French Drains in Norman Oklahoma. The Central focus for Oklahoma Drainage   is French Drain Installation. We installed our first French Drain and completed our first Sprinkler Repair in Norman in 1993.

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

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

French Drain Installation is what we specialize in.  Since 1993 we have installed over 2000 French Drains or Drainage Systems in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage 

 

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman
Drainage System Installation in Norman

It’s Not a Surface Drain

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times, people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,” to apply to many different types of Drains.   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.

Storm-Water 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 Drain Pipe to an exit point.

THIS IS NOT A FRENCH DRAIN!

Surface Drain Connection

Surface Drain connected to a Transition Pipe

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.

Channel Drain

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 like a gutter with a Grate on top.  It needs to be set in concrete.

channel drain installation

Patio Channel Drain Installation

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drainpipe in the bottom of a drainage trench.  The Drainage Trench is dug across a low area that has standing water when it rains.  The French Drain Trench also can be used to intercept water moving downhill.  That water can be above ground and moving fast.  Belowground water can also be intercepted moving slowly downhill. 

The Drainpipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drainpipe.   This is to ensure that the Drainpipe does not become clogged.

Trench Liner

A Trench Liner should also be used to line the trench before the perforated French Drainpipe is placed on top of it.  The Trench Liner lets water through to the perforated pipe.  M It is Semi-Permeable.  It maintains the integrity of the Drainage Trench over a long Period of time.  It also keeps the drain from clogging. 

 

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 Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).

Installing Trench Liner for French Drain

Installing Trench Liner for 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 Downspouts connected to it. 

The Drawback of Fench Drains

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. 

A French Drain can be made to look Nice.  Steppingstones can be placed on top of a French Drain.  All types of Decorative Stone Can be used as well.

Building a Decorative French Drain

Building a Decorative French Drain

Completed Decorative French Drain

Completed Decorative French Drain

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.

Don’t Cover a French Drain with Dirt

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.

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

 

 

Oklahoma City Frenc Drain Contractor, Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, French Drain Repair

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — Installing – French DrainsSurface DrainsChannel DrainsSump Pumps.

Providing Expert Sprinkler Repair – Broken Sprinkler Pipes Sprinkler Head AdjustmentSprinkler 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

 

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

channel drain driveway
Channel Drain set in Driveway

 

Oklahoma Drainage is an Oklahoma City French Drain Contractor.  We do more work in Central Oklahoma than any where else.

Surface Drain set in concrete

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.  

 A Free Drainage Diagnostic and Quote was provided.  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.  

It 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 Drainage System.

Channel Drain in Oklahoma City
Channel Drain in Oklahoma City
Setting in the channel drain
Setting in the Channel Drain in the cut.
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. 

Diagnosing the Problem

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.

driveway channel drain
Driveway Channel Drain Installation

A French Drain Was Needed

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.

river rock french drain install
A

We solve residential and commercial drainage problems.

 

French Drain Focus ,Installation and Service, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Moore

Oklahoma Drainage 

French Drain Installation is a primary focus for Oklahoma Drainage.  We have been installing French Drains as part of Drainage Systems since 1993.   We also install Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps to fit our customer’s needs.

WHERE WE HAVE WORKED!

In 1993 we had no website.  I stuck little signs on the side of the road as advertisement.  I got my first Drain Installation work in March of 1993 in Norman.  It was in Brookhaven North of Robinson Street on the West side of I 35.

Over the years Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has installed all types of Drainage Systems in almost Every town in Central and Western Oklahoma.

The majority of our customers live in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, New Castle, Yukon and Choctaw.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair hasn’t been limited to those areas, however.  We have also installed French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps in many other cities.

Working Drainage Systems Installed by Oklahoma Drainage also reside in: Lawton, Duncan, Ardmore, Chickasha, Shawnee, Enid, Weatherford, Elk City, El reno and many other places.

If you live in any of these Cities or towns, we have installed a French Drain, Surface Drain, Channel Drain, or Sump Pump within 5 miles of your home.

Here is a description of other recent work.

A little bit North of Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Drainage installed a 6-inch French Drain between two businesses which were less than three feet apart.  The French Drain went between a Law Firm and a Tire shop.  Water was leaking through the walls of both businesses.  Gutters between the two establishments were dumping a huge amount of water.  We installed a 6-inch French Drain between the gutters.

It took a long time to get the dirt out of the trench for the French Drain.  It was a very tight fit.  We had to use a little red wagon to haul out the dirt for the French Drain and haul back in the crushed limestone for the French Drain.  It looked a little silly, but it was the only thing we could find that was narrow enough to fit between the buildings.  A French Drain that normally would take 1 day to install took three.


Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has been installing French Drains in Newcastle since 1993.  We have helped over 4000 customers in Central and Western Oklahoma.
We install: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump PumpsSprinkler Repair and Sod Installation are Also Available.

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

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

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

The Transition

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

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

french drain walk way

French Drain installed under walkway

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair install French Drains and Surface Drains in lawns, flower beds and many other places.

We also install Surface Drains and Channel Drains Set in concrete in sidewalks and driveways.  Wherever you need a Drain to help protect your home or property, we are there to help.  Experience Counts, going on 32 years now.

A French Drain Can Handle Surface and Sub-Surface Water

Drainage Systems can:

1.  Keep water away from foundations – A French Drain is best because it can move Surface Water and Sub-Surface Water (water moving underground) 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.

Appearance

If, “appearance” is more important than Drainage Capacity, Go with the Surface Drain.  Just know what you are getting into and what your expectations should be. One side of a foundation alone, can be over 100 feet.  A 4 inch or 6-inch French Drain is best when protecting a large area such as a foundation.

2.  Keep water away from small or enclosed areas.  This might be a low area just through a gate on the side of a house, or the low area between a flowerbed and the wall of a house or standing water on or near a sidewalk or driveway.  These types of Drainage Problems are best served with Surface Drains.

A Surface Drain can move water away from a low area that is relatively small.  This can occur in yards, flowerbeds, sidewalks and driveways.  A surface Drain is designed to move Surface Water away from a problem area to a predetermined exit point.  Surface Drains are available in many sizes.  How quickly they remove standing water is usually determined by the size of the pipe that is connected to the drain.

Simply put, a Drainage System is one or a group of underground Drainpipes 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 Drainpipe to move the water away from the Drain, and an Exit Point for the water to be released out of the Drainpipe.

Hard Rain

Do you have water standing in your yard after a hard rain? Does your sidewalk become a moat during a thunderstorm? Is standing water causing your foundation to deteriorate and break down? Is water seeping into your home and causing mold?

Stormwater runoff can cause many types of problems. Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can diagnose your drainage issues and design a Drainage System to fit your specific needs. We install many types of drains including French Drains, Channel Drains, Surface Drains, Basin Drains, Trench Drains, Basement Drains, and Sump Pumps.

TRench

French Drain trench

 

Oklahoma Drainage – 405 203 9419

 

Our Drainage Systems utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps.   With over 25 years of experience, we provide top quality French Drains, Drainage Systems, and Sprinkler Repair.

 

French Drain in Oklahoma CityFrench Drain in Oklahoma City

Connecting French Drain and Surface Drain to Drainage System

Connecting French Drain and Surface Drain to Drainage System

 

We Service all of Central Oklahoma including Norman, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle, Purcell and Chickasha.  Now we provide service to Lawton and Altus as well.

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Drainage System Installation in Norman

Water Damage

Water can cause damage in all kinds of places.  A Drainage System, simply put, is a Drain with a Drain Pipe leading underground to an exit point.  Most Drainage Systems utilize a French Drain or a Surface Drain, or both.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide Drainage Diagnostics .

A Drainage Diagnostic is a scheduled appointment where we come out and look at your Drainage Problem and get your input on the situation.  We look at all the variables that are causing your Water-Runoff Problems and design a Drainage System to solve it.  French Drains and Surface Drains are used to make up the Drainage System.

Channel Drain Installation in sidewalk in Oklahoma City

French Drain Information Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

  We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma.  

We have come a long way since 1993.  I started in Norman.  My advertising was putting cardboard signs on the side of the road. 

 

French Drain or Surface Drain?

So you have water in a place in your home or business that is causing a problem.  Maybe you have water standing on your sidewalk or leaking into your air conditioning ducts.  You might have water running under your garage door and flooding your garage.  You might have standing water that kills grass or plants in your yard.  There are an endless number of possible water drainage issues.

 

We utilize French Drains and many types of Surface Drains to solve all types of Residential and Small Business water problems.  We also install Sump Pumps when water can not be drained from the problem area.

As of January 2021 we have provided service for 5467 customers in Oklahoma.  Our service area includes all of Central and Western Oklahoma.  We will service other areas of Oklahoma by special appointment.

There is never any cost for us to come and look at your water problems.

 

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

  • French Drain on left
  • TRench
  • Installing concrete channel drain
  • Setting in the channel drain
  • new curb outlet
 

Emergency Sprinkler Repair Service Sprinkler Irrigation Systems Drainage Systems French Drains Surface DrainsSump Pumps Rain/Freeze Sensors Scheduled Sprinkler Repair

New French Drain

New French Drain

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

muddy french drain installation

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

 

Gutter to French Drain

Connecting Gutter to French Drain

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the channel drain

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.’

 

 

 

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 

 

 

This year Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has addressed many standing water problems and drainage issues for residents and business owners of Oklahoma.  On one occasion, we installed a Surface Drain in the middle of a driveway.  After a rain, water was standing in front of the garage and would flow under the door when it got too deep.  We cut the driveway, Installed the Surface Drain, and replaced the cement.  Problem Solved.

Another Drainage Problem involved installing a Sump Pump in a basement floor.  The basement would flood after a hard rain.  Again, Problem solved!

 

Harsh weather in Oklahoma seems to becoming more common.  In 2013,  Norman Oklahoma had 4 inches of rain in two hours.  That’s the most rain in a short time that I can remember.  Storm-Water runoff can cause damage to all types of property and buildings.  Water getting inside your house is never a good thing.  A Drainage System that utilizes a French Drain can help.

Drains can protect your home and property from water damage.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs a wide variety of Drains in many different places.  A Drain or Group of Drains with Drain Pipe going to an exit point is a “Drainage System.”

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 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.

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.

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

 

 

 

 

Lawn Sprinkler Repair is one of our areas of expertise.  We can help with:

1.  Sprinkler Controller Problems

2.  Leaking Back-Flow Valves

3.  Leaking  Sprinkler Pipes

4.  Shorted or disconnected valve wires

5.  Sprinkler Zones or Sprinkler Stations that won’t work

6.  Broken Sprinkler Heads

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – can help if you need to re-design your sprinkler system.  If for example you are adding a swimming pool in your back yard, we can move the sprinkler heads and sprinkler pipes to fit the new dimensions of your yard.  We can redesign or add-on to sprinkler systems where the home owners needs change.

 

 

 

 

Edmond Drains.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has installed French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains and Sump Pumps in Edmond since 1993.

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419

We Install Drainage Systems to fit various needs for home owners an businesses.  A Drainage System can utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains or Sump Pumps as the intake part to the Drainage System.  The Drain or Sump Pump brings water into the Drainpipe.  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 ( The Drain Pipe ) which can be many sizes or type. The EXIT ( A Curb Outlet or Pop Up Emitter )

new curb outlet

Curb outlet with more than 6 inches of fall

new curb outlet

Curb Outlet as an Exit Point for a French Drain in Edmond

The Drainage part of our company name means that we solve water problems for people in Oklahoma.  Heavy rain is becoming more common.  Back in 1993 when I first started, a hard rain was considered to be about an Inch per/hour.  It was fairly rare but not too uncommon.  Today things are different.  A weather report of rain fall at or above 4 inches per/hour was not uncommon in 2019.  Excess water causes all types of damage to property both residential and commercial.

 

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.

 

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – 

405 203 9419

channel drain driveway

Channel Drain set in Driveway

Specializing in:French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains.    Basement Drains, Sump Pumps, and Gutter to Drain Connections.  Servicing: Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Mid West City, Del City, Yukon, Mustang, Blanchard, Purcell, and Edmond.   Free Estimates

Oklahoma Drainage

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

 

 

 

Before

walk way drain

French Drain across walkway

After

We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma