Posts Tagged ‘Oklahoma City French Drain Installation’

French Drain in Rest Home – Servicing Oklahoma City, Lawton, Edmond, Yukon, Altus, El Reno –

Posted: December 20, 2019 in french drain, French Drain Information, French Drain Photos
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Recently we installed a French Drain inside the courtyard 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 painter’s 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.

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

Drainage Solutions Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Yukon, Lawton, French Drain

Posted: December 15, 2019 in french drain, French Drain Contractor, French Drain Information, French Drain Installation
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Drainage Solutions Oklahoma City

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.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – We have over 32 years of experience solving all types of standing water and drainage issues. 

 

Since 1993 we have installed over 2000 Drainage Systems in Oklahoma.  Over the years we have utilized French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains as important parts of Drainage Systems.

A Drainage System has 3 Parts, an “Intake” A “Transition”, and an “Exit.”

A Channel Drain is an Inlet for a Drainage System

The Intake is where water is taken into the Drainage System.  This is done with a French Drain, Surface Drain, or Channel Drain.  There may be several intakes in one Drainage System depending on the Drainage needs.

The Transition is simply the pipe that takes the water to the Exit Point.

The Exit point is the place where the water leaves the Drainage System.  Typically, through a “Pop Up Emitter” or a ” Curb Outlet.

 

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 install 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 downhill 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 Drainpipe.  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.

 

 

 

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

Pipe running to street form French drain in back yard.

When we run Drainpipe 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 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 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 sometimes depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain.  Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.

DON’T COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.   

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City

If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:

                                         A.  Leave the French Drain as-is and allow grass to grow over it in time.
                                         B.  Add grass seed directly to the French Drain gravel with (Light Hand Watering) to speed the growth process
                                         C.  Leave the French Drain as-is but decorate it with steppingstones 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 steppingstones or landscaping rocks.  Many French Drains are hidden under rock walkways.

French Drain in Oklahoma City

French Drain in Oklahoma City

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

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with steppingstones

French Drain Specialist, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service

Posted: December 11, 2019 in Drainage System, french drain, French Drain Contractor
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French Drain Specialist.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide French Drain Installation, and French Drain Service for Central and Western Oklahoma.

We install French Drains to protect Foundations.  If you need a French Drain along your driveway, we do that too.  A French Drain might be needed in a yard or flowerbed.  French Drains solve standing water problems and provide limited protection for flooding.

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

French Drain Installation

French Drain with Trench Liner and Pipe Filter

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

French Drain with stepping stones

WHAT SIZE DRAINPIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can utilize several types and sizes of French Drainpipe.  An older type that is not commonly used any more is 4-inch PVC Pipe with large half inch holes drilled in the Pipe.

This doesn’t work very well, 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.

French Drain in flowerbed

French Drain in flowerbed

For Small business and Residential French Drains, four inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drainpipe is adequate and the most common.  It is used for the majority of all French Drains installed.  French Drains can be installed using 3 inch ADS Perf/Soc but many times it is too small and can be overwhelmed by a heavy rain or from a bad design.  (Too many gutter down spouts connected directly into the French Drain, For Example) Three Inch French Drainpipe should be avoided if possible.

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

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

Installing Gravel on top of a 6-inch French Drain

The Drawbacks to 6-inch French Drain installation are:

 
 1.  The Materials Cost is higher for six-inch French Drain Compared to Four Inch Pipe.
                                                                                                                   
2.  Many times 6 Inch French Drainpipe is too large for many applications, Such as going under a fence or sidewalk.  
                                                                                                                   
3.  The trench for a 6 inch French Drain must be much larger than a 4 Inch
                                                                                                                 
 4.  The amount of gravel or limestone or River Rock used to Cover the 6 inch French Drain is Much larger
 
All things being considered, the performance and longevity of a 6-inch French Drain is well worth it if you are trying to protect something of value to you!  If the higher cost and the additional labor and materials are not a problem and 6-inch French Drainpipe is not too big for what you want to do then a 6-inch French Drain would be the best.  
 
 
 
 

Edmond Oklahoma Drainage Contractor

Posted: December 5, 2019 in Drainage System, french drain, French Drain Repair
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Edmond Oklahoma Drainage Contractor.
Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 405 203 9419 — We provide:
    French Drain Installation, Surface Drains, Drainage System Installation and Sump Pumps
    Sprinkler Repair for all aspects of Residential Sprinkler Systems

 

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

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has over 33 years of Experience Solving all types of Storm Water issues.

We utilize French Drains, Surface Drains and Channel Drains.  Our Drains are installed in Yards, Sidewalks, Driveways and Basements.

 

Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains.  Most Drainage Systems, however, are basic and require just one type of Drain.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair install a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains are most commonly used.

If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, we can help.

 

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

Just what is a “French Drain?” Many times, people incorrectly use the phrase, “French Drain,” when they mean “Surface Drain” or “Channel Drain.”

 

 

A basic French Drain

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

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away. It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available. I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well. The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).

In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed. This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time. It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it. I install a trench liner in a French Drain every time.

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.

 

 The French Drain Installation we did this week was a little more difficult than normal.  Many times, the route that a Perforated French Drainpipe must travel to its exit point is not very easy from an installation point of view.  French Drains may have to travel through tree roots, (big ones) under sidewalks, through retaining walls, around swing sets or dog kennels or Mom’s Prize Rose Bush.

The 4 inch French Drain we installed this week was in Oklahoma City south of 23rd in an old part of town where all the houses were old 2 or 3 story homes with lots of huge Elm Trees.  The Elm Tree in Question actually was just an old stump that had been topped out but not completely removed.  They left the roots just for us!  The roots were growing into the homes foundation and were right in the way of the path of the French Drain.  Forty feet of solid Elm Roots and 4 chain-saw blades later We were successful in running a new French Drain through a tree stump.  Yuck! “Well you gotta  do what you gotta do!”

 

French Drain with colored river rock

French Drain with colored river rock

A little info

about French Drainpipe and Tree Roots.  Normally tree roots don’t seek out and penetrate French Drainpipe.  Tree roots seek moisture and residual water that may stay inside Solid Drainpipe.

French Drainpipe is perforated.  Water that does not reach the exit point of the French Drain will seep out of the Pipe into the surrounding dirt.  Solid Drainpipe that is used with Surface Drains can be penetrated and eventually clogged by roots if the pipe does not have good slope or “Fall”.  If the solid pipe does not drain well and has residual water, tree roots will seek it out.

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

Drainpipe running from French Drain to the street in Oklahoma City

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

Drainage Systems typically make use of, French Drains, Surface Drains, or Channel Drains.  Depending on the Drainage Problem, A Drainage System may utilize one or several types of Drains.  We might install, for example, A Surface Drain in the middle of a driveway that runs to a gutter that is connected into the drainpipe.

The Drainpipe might continue to a French Drain running parallel to a home’s foundation.  Next the drainpipe might continue to a channel drain cutting across a sidewalk.  The Drainpipe might then reach its exit point running out through a curb fitting installed and cemented through the curb.

Surface Drain

A Surface Drain basically is a basin that has a grate on the top.  A drainpipe is connected to the basin below ground.  The water flows in through the grate and down into the basin.  The water then exits the Basin through the Drainpipe and move toward the exit point of the Drainage System.

Surface Drains are designed to handle water that accumulates in a low area.   These areas should not be too large or broad, and the water that drains into a surface drain should not be moving very fast.  Surface Drains can become overwhelmed if they are placed in an area that must move a large volume of water, quickly.

Selecting the correct drain for the specific drainage problem is a benefit that Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair provide through 33 years of experience.

 

Drainage Installation, Sprinkler Repair, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond

Posted: November 25, 2019 in Drainage System Repair, french drain, French Drain Information, French Drain Photos, French Drain Repair, sprinkler repair
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Drainage Installation, Sprinkler Repair, Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond.

French Drain Installation

French Drain Trench running to curb outlet

Oklahoma Drainage – 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 French Drainpipe 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 French Drain trench is then filled with some type of small rock or stone.  We typically use crushed 1 inch Lime Stone 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. Decorative Stones may be placed on top of the drain or grass may be allowed to grow over it over time.  Just don’t put dirt back on top of the drain.

drain trench

French Drain running to a curb outlet at the street

 

Decorative River Rock French Drain

French Drain with River Rock

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, Drainage Systems, Surface Drain, Sump pumps, – Oklahoma Drainage

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

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

Oklahoma Drainage has seen and dealt with virtually every possible Drainage and Standing water problem that can occur in or around your home.  With over 2000 Drainage Systems installed since 1993, we have amassed a great deal of experience.  This is help full in seeing underlying problems and secondary issues that may be hard to see at first for the ” Untrained Eye.”  This allows us to get things right the first time.

In this business EXPERIENCE TRULY COUNTS!

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

Blane Callen, 405 203 9419

Oklahoma Drainage can help with this type of situation.

This is a great place for a French Drain

 

Installing French Drain under sidewalk

Installing French Drain under sidewalk

 

French Drain Installation this week was a little more difficult than normal.  Many times, the route that a Perforated French Drainpipe must travel to its exit point is not very easy from an installation point of view.

French Drains may have to travel through tree roots, (big ones) under sidewalks, through retaining walls, around swing sets or dog kennels or Mom’s Prize Rose Bush.

Huge Elm Trees

The 4 inch French Drain we installed this week was in Oklahoma City south of 23rd in an old part of town where all the houses were old 2 or 3 story homes with lots of huge Elm Trees.

The Elm Tree in Question actually was just an old stump that had been topped out but not completely removed.  They left the roots just for us!  The roots were growing into the homes foundation and were right in the way of the path of the French Drain.

Forty feet of solid Elm Roots and 4 chain-saw blades later We were successful in running a new French Drain through a tree stump.  Yuck! “Well you gotta  do what you gotta do!”

 

 

French Drain with colored river rock

French Drain with colored river rock

A little info about French Drainpipe and Tree Roots.

Normally tree roots don’t seek out and penetrate French Drainpipe.  Tree roots seek moisture and residual water that may stay inside Solid Drainpipe.

French Drainpipe is perforated.  Water that does not reach the exit point of the French Drain will seep out of the Pipe into the surrounding dirt.

Solid Drainpipe that is used with Surface Drains can be penetrated and eventually clogged by roots if the pipe does not have good slope or “Fall”.  If the solid pipe does not drain well and has residual water, tree roots will seek it out.

 

French Drain System Design, Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair, Norman, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore.

Posted: November 21, 2019 in french drain, French Drain Repair, French Drain Service
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French Drain System Design

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

 

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

Installing Limestone in trench liner for French Drain

Installing limestone inside trench liner for French drain

Check Out Our Helpers!

Ducks Enjoying the new French Drain

Ducks Enjoying the New French Drain

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

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

 

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

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away. It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.

I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.

The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level). In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.

This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time. It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it. I install a trench liner in a French Drain Every time.

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.

Surface Drain with French Drain

Surface Drain beside a French Drain with River Rock

The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’t very pretty. They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.

Drain Pipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

Drainpipe for French Drain running under sidewalk

 

 

French Drain Installation, Elk City, Duncan, Weatherford, Clinton, El Reno

Posted: February 5, 2017 in french drain, French Drain Repair
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Today we are installing a French Drain system for a customer in East Norman.  She has water running into her front door through her flower bed.  The bed acts like a pond and over-spills onto her front porch and then through her front door.  To solve the problem, we are installing a French Drain running across her flower bed and under her sidewalk.  Once under the sidewalk the French Drain will connect to Solid Drain Pipe and continue on down the hill to the exit point where we will install a pop-up emitter.  There are two gutter downspouts that will be connected into the French Drain System along the way.

French Drain with colored river rock along foundation

French Drain in flower bed

 

 Do you have water standing in the wrong place after a hard rain?  Does your sidewalk turn into a moat after a storm? Or does your back yard flood from run-off from your neighbor’s roof? If so, give Oklahoma Drainage a call. WE can quickly diagnose your Drainage Problems and provide a solution.  With over 20 years experience, we can handle all your residential or commercial drain issues.

Installing Drain Pipe from French Drain in Back Yard

Installing Drain Pipe from French Drain in Back Yard

 

 

Sprinkler Repair, French Drain Repair,

Posted: October 26, 2015 in french drain, French Drain Contractor, French Drain Repair, sprinkler repair, Sprinkler Repair Service, Sprinkler Service
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Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has fixed Sprinkler Leaks in Edmond since 1993.

Sprinkler Repair is also very popular this time of year.  Folks in Central Oklahoma are turning on their Sprinkler Systems and discovering problems.

No PVC Primer Used.  Yikes!!!

We fixed several leaks in a Sprinkler System in Edmond.  The sprinkler pipes were leaking in several places.  Each leak had to be cut out and replaced.

The Sprinkler System was fairly new.  It was installed last summer by a Pool Company that also installs cheap sprinkler systems.

All the joints in the sprinkler pipes were glued together with clear PVC Cement.  That part is OK, but they cut some corners and didn’t use PVC Primer with the glue.  As a result, the joints didn’t bond very well and many of them blew apart this spring when the sprinkler systems were turned on.  (Thus, all the leaks)

I suspect we will have to go back several times to fix additional leaks.  We can only warranty the PVC joints that we have replaced.   Cheaper isn’t always better.

 

Sprinkler pipes may leak for many reasons.  Pipes that are too shallow can freeze and break during the cold of winter.  Repair of PVC Sprinkler pipe in cold temperatures can be difficult.  Frozen Ground is difficult to dig up to get to the damaged pipe.  PVC Glue and Primer don’t bond very well in temperatures that are low.  Even using “Hot Glue,” which is designed to be used in cold temperatures doesn’t always produce the best results.

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair can provide the necessary expertise to handle difficult sprinkler repairs.

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.

One Common Problem

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 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.

 

 

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain. A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drainpipe in the bottom of a trench.

A Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.

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

A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used.

There are several sizes of French Drainpipe. Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drainpipe. The dirt that is taken out to make the trench is hauled away. It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.

I prefer crushed 1 inch limestone. It is the most economical option in my area. Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well. The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).

In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed. This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time. It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it. I install a trench liner in a French Drain every time.

French Drain Parts

Posted: March 13, 2015 in french drain, French Drain Contractor, Norman Oklahoma, Norman Oklahoma French Drain, Oklahoma City French Drain, Parts of a French Drain
Tags: , ,
4

French Drain Parts

French Drain Parts are a 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.

 

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.

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

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

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.

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

Installing Gravel on top of a 6-inch French Drain

French Drain in Flower Bed in Edmond

French Drain in Flower Bed in Edmond

 

 

A common Drainage Problem for people in Central Oklahoma is ground water seeping into floor air conditioner ducts.  This can cause very costly damage to a home or business.  Water-proofing Ducts, or even worse, trying to remove mold from duct work can cost big bucks.

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers typically recommend French Drain Installation to keep water out of ducts.

French Drains catch and remove sub-surface water that is traveling underground toward a foundation. It is intercepted by the French Drain before it can seep under the building in question.   Because this water is not usually seen, it may not be taken into consideration when diagnosing drainage problems.  Surface Water traveling to a problem area is obvious as it flows on the surface in plain sight.

Gutter connected straight into 6 inch French Drain System in Oklahoma City

Gutter Connection

Oklahoma Drainage has 30 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  We always check for sub-surface water flow into any Problem Drainage Area.

Installing Channel Drain Across Sidewalk in Norman

Installing Channel Drain Across Sidewalk in Norman

Don’t Do Well in Small Areas

French Drains can also be used to remove water that is standing in a large area such as up against a foundation or along a fence.  They don’t do so well in tight small areas.  These areas are best suited for a Surface Drain with a grate.  Many times, we install French Drains along foundations after a homeowner has spent large amounts of money on foundation repair.

Surface Drain Installation in Edmond

Surface Drain Installation in Edmond

Several Foundation Repair companies and Duct waterproofing companies recommend Oklahoma Drainage for French Drain Installation.    Typically, we install a French Drain by itself or as part of a Drainage System  after they have completed their repairs to the foundation or duct work.

 

 

Curb Outlet for French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma

Curb Outlet 

 

Drainage Problems occur in all types of places.  Water can stand along fences or driveways, or in yards and flowerbeds.   Damage can be done to sidewalks and in yards.  Finding a good Drainage Solution usually involves a French Drain.

 

French Drain Running Through Low Areas in Yukon

Drainage System

Oklahoma Drainage provides quality service for central Oklahoma.  If you live in Norman and need a French Drain, or if you live in Oklahoma City and want a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, give us a call.  We have installed Drainage Systems and French Drains in:  Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Norman, Yukon, Mustang, Del City, Blanchard, Newcastle and all surrounding areas.

 

 

 

French Drain Design, Installation, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, –

Posted: March 6, 2015 in french drain, French Drain Design, French Drain Repair
Tags: , , ,
3

French Drain Design –

Before you begin.

Identify the Problem Area

This is very important.  You don’t want to underestimate the size or scope of your problem.  Your French Drain Design needs to address everything that it can help with or improve. You want to get things wright the first time if you can.

Identify the water sources to your problem.

Most of the time there is more than one water source to your Water Problem.  There can easily be several ways that water is getting to the problem area.  Usually, you have a Primary source and one or several Secondary Sources.   In Rare occasions two or more primary sources may need to be dealt with.

Identify water Movement, Speed, and Volume.

Determine if you are dealing with Surface Water or Sub-Surface Water or Both.

Click on the link above and I will Explain How to do this without using advanced Mathematics or Engineering.  No Multiple Linear Regression Needed Just Common Sense.

Determine If you want a Flood Prevention System or a Drainage System.

This will have a Profound Effect on the French Drain Design.

Decide if you can physically handle the installation of a French Drain.

If you have never done this before you really need to read this.  Oklahoma Drainage has installed French Drains since 1993.  I always recommend digging the French Drain by hand.  Using a Trencher ( a machine that digs ditches) is a bad idea for many reasons.  My Crew and I have literally dug thousands French Drains and Drainage Systems.

If using a digging machine is necessary, we always use a Mini Excavator, never a Trencher.  Using a Mini X as I call it takes a tremendous amount of skill and practice.  It is far beyond the capability of a Weekend Warrior or a Confident Brother-in-Law.

Determine the Pipe Size needed for the French Drain and other Drainage Intakes.

Decide how large the Transition Pipe needs to be.

Determine the Exit.

Identify the French Drain Location

Make a decision on the Width and Depth of your French Drain.

Decide if other types of Drains should be connected to a French Drain to handle Secondary Water Problems.

Finally Decide What to do with the Displaced Dirt.  You will have leftover Dirt.  What are you going to do with it?

This means asking yourself where you want to take the unwanted water to.

French Drain Design Edmond. —   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.   French Drain Installation 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 French Drainpipe 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 French Drain trench is then filled with some type of small rock or stone.  We typically use crushed 1 inch Lime Stone 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 has been installing French Drains since 1993.  We also install Fescue Sod and Bermuda Sod by the pallet as well.  A pallet of sod will cover about 450 square feet.

Oklahoma Drainage also installs Surface Drains of all kinds including Channel Drains in Driveways or 12 inch, 9 inch, and 6 inch Drain basins in yards and sidewalks and along driveways.

 

Sorry I got sidetracked.  Back to talking about French Drains.   French Drains keep water off of Foundations, Sidewalks, and Driveways.

THREE BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN WHEN WATER SITS AGAINST CONCRETE.

  1. Concrete can break down and deteriorate from temperature change when the water freezes and thaws.  Lots of cracks can occur.
  2. Concrete can be de-stabilized.  Supporting soil can be washed away or removed.
  3. Mold!!! Yikes!!  Mold needs water.  Water against a foundation or saturating it is definitely a risk for mold to occur.  Mold development can be a very small issue or it can be a Huge Problem.  If Black Sludge starts to appear on top of ground near a foundation, action should be taken.  I have seen extreme mold situations where a home had to be condemned.  Again, this is very rare, but it does happen to good people.

 

Adding gravel to french drain

Putting limestone on top of French drain

In the pictures below,

water was running across the walkway and into the pool every time it rained hard.  We pulled up the necessary stones on the side that the water was coming from and put a French Drain underneath.  A trench liner was utilized as well as a filter around the perforated French Drain Pipe.

Before

French Drain walk way

French Drain Installed along and under walk way to pool.

After

 

walk way french drain

Completed French Drain under walkway

French Drains can be decorative and be made to look nice.  As shown above, they can be placed under walkways or had designer stones placed on the gravel that fills the French Drain Trench.

Covering a French Drain with dirt is a bad idea.

Water can’t get into the drain through the stones if it is clogged with dirt.  If you are more concerned about how it looks over what it does, then don’t install it in the first place.  French drains can move a lot of water and protect property such as foundations, sidewalks, plants, yards just to mention a few things.  If you don’t like how a French Drain looks then change it.  Put Steppingstones on top of it, use river rock to improve the look, you are limited only by your own creativity.

 

 

 

new curb outlet

Curb outlet with more than 6 inches of fall

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

Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.

If you have water standing in your yard, we can install a French Drain for you.  When you step out of your car into water on your driveway, you may need a Channel Drain.  If water is in your basement, you may need a sump Pump.  Your Drainage needs may be very complex or very simple.  We have been solving every type of Residential Drainage Problem since 1993.

Installing concrete channel drain

Setting the concrete around the Channel Drain

 

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

When water come in contact with the French Drain, it seeps down through the stones and into the French Drainpipe.  It then flows through the Drainpipe to the exit point.  Typically, a French Drain will have two possible exit points.   The First is called a “Pop-Up Emitter.”  It is a Green Lid on top of a release basin for the French Drain.

Popup Emitter to release water from a Drainage System in Yukon.
Popup Emitter to release water from a Drainage System in Yukon.

Curb Outlet

The second type of Exit Point for a French Drain is a “Curb Fitting.”  A Curb Fitting is installed through the curb going out into the street.   French Drainpipe runs to the Curb.  The curb is cut out and the Curb Fitting is cemented through the Curb.

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

 

curb outlet complete

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

French Drains are designed to move large amounts of water.

Flood Protection

A French Drain moves water away from the Drainage Problem area from the Surface like a large Surface Drain.   But also below ground, or sub surface.  Most people don’t take into account the water that flows to a problem area underground.  Sub surface water flow is not eliminated by a Surface Drain.  A French Drain can move away water that is below the surface of the ground and drain away water that is on the surface too.

 

covering a french drain

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair designs and installs Drainage Systems. Water Drainage is a big concern to homeowners and small businesses.  Standing Water from Storm-Water runoff can cause all kinds of problems.  Concrete in driveways, sidewalks, and foundations can be damaged.  Prolonged Drainage Problems allow mold to occur along with deterioration to plants, trees, and property.

 

Just what is a “French Drain?”

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

A Surface Drain has a grate that sits on top of a basin.  The basin is underground.

A 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 Storm-Water 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.

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

 

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.

A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated 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.

Crushed Limestone

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 lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drainpipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).

In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drainpipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain Every time.

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