Posts Tagged ‘Oklahoma City French Drain Installation’

Lawton Oklahoma French Drain Installation.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprikler Repair has installed French Drains in Lawton since 1993.  We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

French Drain Installed in Lawton

We Install Drainage Systems to fit various needs for homeowners and businesses.

A Drainage System can

utilize French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains or Sump Pumps as the intake part to the Drainage System.  The Drain or Sump Pump brings water into the Drainpipe.  Next, The Drainpipe takes the water to the ” Exit.”  Which is Either a “Curb Outlet” or a “ Pop Up Emitter.”

The Three parts of A Drainage System are:   THE INTAKE (French Drain or Surface Drain) etc.  The TRANSITION Pipe) which can be many sizes or type. The EXIT (A Curb Outlet or Pop-Up Emitter)

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

The Drainage part of our company name means that we solve water problems for people in Oklahoma.

Heavy rain is becoming more common.

Back in 1993 when I first started, a hard rain was considered to be about an Inch per/hour.  It was fairly rare but not too uncommon.

Today things are different.

A weather report of rainfall at or above 4 inches per/hour was not uncommon in 2019.  Excess water causes all types of damage to property both residential and commercial.

Our Drainage Systems drain water away from places you don’t want it to be.  You might have water standing along the foundation of your house, or inside your basement.  You might have water on your driveway or flowerbed too.

Designing a French Drain or a Drainage System

When I talk to a potential customer while doing a Drainage System estimate, I take a lot of things into consideration.

First, I have the Customer show me where water is standing or where it is going that it shouldn’t.  This is part of defining the specific problem area.

Sometimes the Water Problem Area is larger and more involved than the customer realizes.

Once the Water Problem Area is clearly defined, the next step is to determine how the water is getting to the problem area.  Many times, there is more than one Water Source to the Water Problem area.

A big mistake in Drainage System Design is to stop once the most obvious Water Source is found.

A Drainage System Designer

must be a detective to some degree.  For Example:  Water running down the hill and onto the back patio might be the most obvious water source.  Sub-surface water or a neighbor’s new gutter downspout could also be contributing.  Most of the time water gets into the problem area from more than one source.

Next you must decide where to take the water.  This is determining an Exit Point for the Drainage System.  If possible, you want your exit point to be downhill from the problem area.  If it is up hill in all directions from the problem area, then the only solution is a Sump Pump.

Determine Exit Points

Once an exit Point is determined, you must ask yourself if there is any way to install two exit points.

Usually this can only work when an exit point can work on both ends of a Drainage System.

The benefit of two Exit Points in a Drainage System is it greatly increases the water capacity for the Drainage System.  It can move much more water faster during a heavy rain than a system with just one Exit Point.  Most Drainage Systems can only utilize one Exit Point.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Next, we have to decide what type of drain to install in the problem area.  If it is a small area with one water source, usually a Surface Drain is best.  If the water problem area is large with one or several water sources, a French Drain is usually installed.

If you have several problem drainage areas,

you must use larger Drainpipe if you want to connect them together to one exit point.  Large French Drains should have their own exit point without attaching other Surface Drains or Gutters to them.  It is very common to connect too many drains or gutters into a Drainage System.  A hard rain can overwhelm the Drainage System’s Water Flow Capacity.  When that happens, water backs up and the problem area floods.

French Drain connected into Drainage System

French Drain connected into Drainage System

I just shake my head

when I see 3 French Drains and 5 gutters connected into one exit drainpipe. I see this type of design all the time.  Why spend money for a Drainage System that won’t work?  Lots of Cheap Builders and Fly-By-Night Drainage Companies cut corners on Drainage Systems and French Drains on new home construction.

For a French Drain or a Surface Drain or any type of Drainage System, if in doubt, use a larger Drainpipe.  Four Inch Drainpipe is the most common. Six-inch Drainpipe is always better.   If you are going to connect a French Drain and Surface Drain together, use 6-inch Drainpipe.

French Drain Installation with colored river rock and Edging

French Drain with colored river rock and Edging

Wow!

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

Get rid of standing water!

Oklahoma Drainage utilize:

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

 

French Drain Installation

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – 405 203 9419

French Drain Installation Or Do You Need A Surface Drain?

Many Folks don’t know the difference.   Actually there are many differences and a few similarities.  One difference is, a French Drain takes in a larger amount of water into the drain Pipe than a Surface Drain.  There are advantages to Surface Drains as well.

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.

walk way drain

French Drain across walkway

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

French Drain Contractor Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Running French Drain Pipe under sidewalk

Running Drainpipe Under Sidewalk

 

 

 

WHAT SIZE DRAINPIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

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

ADS French Drainpipe is much better; the holes are smaller and much more numerous.  It also comes inside a soc that acts as a filter and helps keep sand and debris out of the French Drainpipe.  It works very well.

French Drain in flowerbed

French Drain in flowerbed

4 Inch Pipe

 

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

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

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

Installing Gravel on top of a 6-inch French Drain

 
 
 

The Drawbacks to 6-inch French Drain installation are:

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

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

 

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

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

Location

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

Oklahoma 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!

 

If you need water drained away from your home or business, Give Oklahoma Drainage a Call.

405 203 9419

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with steppingstones

Since 1993 we have gained a lot of experience addressing drainage problems Drainage problems can be complicated.  The solution is not always clear to the untrained eye. Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has repaired or overhauled many French drains and drainage systems that were installed by, “weekend warriors, a brother-in-law, or a landscaping company that also installs drains.”  They all can install Drainage Systems, Just not very well.  We have  over 26 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  This ensures that a Drainage System that we install won’t have Drainpipes that are too small, or Surface Drains installed where French Drains Should be placed or Exit Points that allow water to Stand and become stagnant.  The above examples are just three of many “Pit – Falls” that our experienced Drainage System Experts can easily avoid.

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

 

Oklahoma Drainage — Over 30 years of keeping water away from foundationsKeeping water off of driveways, and Keeping Water  from standing on sidewalks every time it rains.  Our Drainage Systems utilize:  French Drains — 3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch

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

Channel Drains, 2 inch, and 4 inch

Sump Pumps 3/4 horse to two horse

 

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

 

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

 

 

 

.

Trench for a 6 inch Drain Pipe

Trench for a 6 inch French Drainpipe

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

 

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

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair — 405 203 9419

FRENCH DRAIN, SURFACE DRAIN PHOTOS AND INFORMATION

 

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

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City

 

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

Installing Cement around Curb Fitting for French Drain in Norman

Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains.  Most Drainage Systems , however are basic and require just one type of DrainOklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains are most commonly used.  If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, we can help.

Channel Drain Installed by CMG In Yukon

Channel Drain Installed In Yukon

Channel Drains are one kind of Surface Drain that we install in concrete.

The most common Drain that we install is the French Drain.  This is because the French Drain is versatile.  It can handle Surface Water Problems or Underground Water Problems (sub-surface).  A huge mistake that many people make is assuming that water gets to a Problem Drainage Area by flowing over the surface only.  For example, if water is flowing down hill underground toward your home’s foundation, the only way to stop or intercept it is with a French Drain.  Water can flow laterally into a perforated French Drain Pipe.  It is then diverted away from the Problem Drainage Area to an Exit Point.

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Popup Emitter to release water from a French Drain in Yukon

Pop Up Emitters can release water from Surface Drains or French Drains.  They can release water on to sidewalks or driveways, or out in the middle of yards.

French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  A  Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.   The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drain Pipe that is being used.  There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe.   Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe. The dirt that is taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drain Pipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

 

 

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

Pipe running to street form French Drain in back yard.

When we run Drain Pipe across yards to an Exit Point, the sod usually can be put back into place and in a few days you can’t tell a French Drain was ever Installed.
A French Drain is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts connected to it.
The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the lime stone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is OK.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the French Drain.  In some cases thick grass growing up through the French Drain will create a natural “Thatch” filter.  This makes the French Drain invisible.  The trick is to allow the grass to grow over the French Drain Gravel without covering it up with dirt.  Grasses such as Bermuda which grow well in the sun will put out runners and new roots and will grow up and through the French Drain.  This will not affect the performance of the French Drain.  The problem is that some times depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain.  Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.

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

If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:
                                         A.  Leave the  French Drain as-is and allow grass to grow over it in time.
                                         B.  Add grass seed directly to the French Drain gravel with (Light Hand Watering) to speed the growth process
                                         C.  Leave the French Drain as-is but decorate it with stepping stones and landscaping rocks ( leaving large cracks between stones to allow water to get into the French Drain,
2
If you install a French Drain in a shady area you can:
                                        A.  Leave the French Drain as-is, it will work well and look as it did for many years.

                                        B.  Leave the French Drain as-is, but decorate it with stepping stones or landscaping rocks.  Many French Drains are hidden under rock walk ways.


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

 

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

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

 

 

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

Drainage Systems, French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps, Sprinkler Repair, with 26 years of experience. 

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

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

French Drain Installed in Yukon

Once the Sprinkler System had been redesigned and the gutters had been connected, we ran the 6 inch Drain Pipe from the end of the French Drain, around the house to release through the curb.  We cut the curb and installed a 6 inch curb fitting with acrylic concrete.  A few days later a major thunderstorm poured down on the property.  The French Drain and the Drainage System Worked Perfectly.

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

Installing Channel Drain Across Sidewalk in Norman

Installing Channel Drain Across Sidewalk in Norman

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  A  Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.   The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drain Pipe that is being used.  There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe.   Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe. The dirt that is taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drain Pipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

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

 

 

A FRENCH DRAIN CAN KEEP WATER OUT OF AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS

Installing a 4 inch or 6 inch French Drain with a Trench Liner and a Pipe Filter can keep water from getting into your floor vents.  It Needs to be installed outside along the wall where water is coming in.  It acts as a barrier and also takes water away from your house.

If you live in Elk City and need a French Drain, or you need a Surface Drain Installed in your drive way, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a sump Pump installed in your basement, give us a call.  Oklahoma Drainage has solved unwanted water problems since 1993.

 Oklahoma Drainage  — 405 203 9419

French Drain Installation can prevent water from getting into your air conditioner floor ducts.

 

 

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 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 connected straight into 6 inch French Drain System in Oklahoma City

We have 27 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  We always check for sub-surface water flow into any Problem Drainage Area.  Again, French Drains are intended to handle water moving both underground and above ground.

 

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.  French Drains 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 home owner has spent large amounts of money on foundation repair.

Several Foundation Repair companies and Duct waterproofing companies recommend Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair.   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.

 

 

 

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.

 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair 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.

Recently we installed a French Drain in Norman.  Our customer had water running down the hill from his neighbor’s Sprinkler System into the North wall of his house.  Over time the ground became saturated and water seeped under the wall and into his floor air conditioning vents.  We installed a 4 inch French Drain along the North wall of his house to provide a barrier to the continuous water flow.  In a few days the moss that was growing on the side of his house began to die from lack of water.  A Duct company came in and cleaned out is vents.  The French Drain removed the surface and sub surface water that was flowing into his home.   Problem solved.

 

 

 

Oklahoma City French Drain Installation, Lawton, Edmond, El Reno, Altus

Oklahoma Drainage 405 203 9419 — We provide:

    French Drain Installation, Surface Drain Installation, Drainage System Installation

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

French Drain with stepping stones

WHAT SIZE DRAIN PIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

Fr

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 Perforated Pipe.  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 Drain Pipe are too few.  Also there is no filter or “Soc” around this particular French Drain Pipe.  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 Drain Pipe 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 Drain Pipe.  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 Drain pipe is adequate and the most common.  It is used for the majority of all French Drains installed.  French Drains can be installed using 3 inch ADS Perf/Soc but many times it is too small and can be overwhelmed by a heavy rain or from a bad design.  (Too many gutter down spouts connected directly into the French Drain, For Example)  Three Inch French Drain Pipe should be avoided if possible.

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

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

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

 

Installing Curb Outlet for French Drain in Oklahoma City

Installing Curb Outlet for French Drain in Oklahoma City

 

Do you have water standing in your yard every time it rains? Does storm-water runoff turn your driveway into a pond? Do your gutters dump enough water on your sidewalk to turn it into a moat? Worst of all, do you have water seeping into your home or business through the walls or foundation? Oklahoma Drainage  can help with these and many other Drainage Problems.

 

 

 

If you need water drained away from your home or business, Give Oklahoma Drainage a Call.

405 203 9419

Running French Drain Pipe under sidewalk

Running French Drain Pipe under sidewalk

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drain with stepping stones

Completing French Drain with crushed limestone.

In the above picture no landscaping or special stone was used for the French Drain.  Initially it won’t look great, but in this case the French Drain was in an area that got a lot of sun.  The grass will spread and put out runners and eventually cover the French Drain.  This is a good thing.  It produces a “Thatch” filter on top of the drain and helps keep the drain from clogging and greatly increases the longevity of the Drainage System.  The trick is not to put dirt on top of the French Drain Gravel.  This is a big mistake and will reduce the effectiveness of the French Drain.  Just be patient and the grass will cover.  We had a customer that had success speeding up the growth process by sprinkling grass seed into the French Drain Gravel.

Since 1993 we have gained a lot of experience addressing drainage problems Drainage problems can be complicated.  The solution is not always clear to the untrained eye. Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair has repaired or overhauled many french drains and drainage systems that were installed by, “weekend warriors, a brother-in-law, or a landscaping company that also installs drains.”  They all can install Drainage Systems, Just not very well.  We have  over 26 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  This ensures that a Drainage System that we install won’t have Drain Pipes that are too small, or Surface Drains installed where French Drains Should be placed, or Exit Points that allow water to Stand and become stagnant.  The above examples are just three of many “Pit – Falls” that our experienced Drainage System Experts can easily avoid.

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

 

Do you have Drainage Problems?  Every time it rains, Do you have water standing on your driveway?  Do your gutters turn your sidewalk into a moat?  Does the side of your house turn into a swamp after a thunder-storm?  Standing water causes several problems such as dead grass, sidewalk and foundation deterioration and MOLD to name just a few.  If you have water seeping into your home things can get even worse.

 

 


 

French Drains, French Drains, French Drains,  Yes we install French Drains!

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair Servicing Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993. 

We also Install Surface Drains, which make up 6 inch, 9 inch and 12 inch basins. 

We install Channel Drains Across Driveways and Sidewalks.

We Install Sump Pumps to solve difficult drainage issues as well.

channel drain driveway

Channel Drain set in Driveway

French Drain Installation In Yukon

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

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

standing water

A good place for a French Drain

We just finished a 4 inch Drainage System in Yukon.  It was a complicated system to install.  It utilized 4 inch French Drain in the flower beds,  12 inch Surface Drains on the side of the house,  6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters in the back yard and 3 Curb Fittings in the front.    First we installed 4 inch French Drain in the flowerbeds on both sides of the front door.  We connected 4 inch solid Drain Pipe into the French Drain and ran them underside walk to the curb.  Next we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed 3 curb outlets for 3 separate French Drains.

Next we installed 4 12 Inch Drain Basins with grates along both sides of the house continuing with Solid Drain Pipe to the Pop-Up Emitters on the back fence. Finally we completed the Drainage System by installing a long run of 6 inch French Drain down the side of the garage foundation.   Installing the French Drains in the flower beds was the most difficult and took the most time.  Each French Drain took over a ton of crushed limestone to fill the French Drain trench.  The Six inch French Drain took even more limestone.

 Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

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

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

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

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

French Drains as part of a Drainage System – 

cutting concrete for channel drain

Cutting Driveway for Channel Drain

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

A French Drain looks like this

river rock french drain

A French Drain Can Handle Standing Water

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

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

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

Do you have standing water in a large area in your yard?  Typically this calls for a French Drain.  A French Drain is a great way to control standing water in a large grassy area.  It can also protect areas from flooding to a certain degree.  As long as the French Drains capacity to move water is not exceeded.  If the French Drains capacity is exceeded then water will stand in the drainage area until the rain stops and the drain has time to catch up.  A good way to prevent this is to install a bigger French Drain with a larger pipe.  The difference between a 3 inch French Drain and a 6 inch French Drain is huge.

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

New French Drain

New French Drain

French Drain Installation In Yukon

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

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

standing water

A good place for a French Drain

We just finished a 4 inch Drainage System in Yukon.  It was a complicated system to install.  It utilized 4 inch French Drain in the flower beds,  12 inch Surface Drains on the side of the house,  6 inch French Drain along the garage foundation with 2 Pop – Up Emitters in the back yard and 3 Curb Fittings in the front.    First we installed 4 inch French Drain in the flowerbeds on both sides of the front door.  We connected 4 inch solid Drain Pipe into the French Drain and ran them underside walk to the curb.  Next we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed 3 curb outlets for 3 separate French Drains.

Next we installed 4 12 Inch Drain Basins with grates along both sides of the house continuing with Solid Drain Pipe to the Pop-Up Emitters on the back fence. Finally we completed the Drainage System by installing a long run of 6 inch French Drain down the side of the garage foundation.   Installing the French Drains in the flower beds was the most difficult and took the most time.  Each French Drain took over a ton of crushed limestone to fill the French Drain trench.  The Six inch French Drain took even more limestone.

 Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair

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

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

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

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

French Drains as part of a Drainage System – 

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

A French Drain looks like this

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

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

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

Do you have standing water in a large area in your yard?  Typically this calls for a French Drain.  A French Drain is a great way to control standing water in a large grassy area.  It can also protect areas from flooding to a certain degree.  As long as the French Drains capacity to move water is not exceeded.  If the French Drains capacity is exceeded then water will stand in the drainage area until the rain stops and the drain has time to catch up.  A good way to prevent this is to install a bigger French Drain with a larger pipe.  The difference between a 3 inch French Drain and a 6 inch French Drain is huge.

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

gutter connect to drain

Gutter Downspout Connected to 6 Inch French Drain

Recently we installed a French Drain inside the court yard of a rest home in Norman.  We had several interesting challenges to overcome that were not typical for a French Drain Installation.  The court yard was in the center of the home and was a secure area for the patrons.  We had to put down painters tarps to run our wheel barrows over.  We took out 44 loads of dirt and brought in 52 loads of Crushed one inch lime stone 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.

Rest home french drain

French Drain in Rest Home Courtyard

When a French Drain is installed, a big mistake that is made by many people is to cover up the gravel with dirt.  This is a big mistake.  Basically it is ” Putting the cork back in the bottle.”  If the French Drain is in full sun and has a type of grass surrounding it that spreads on its own such a ” Tift” or “Bermuda” , Grass will grow over it and the French Drain will eventually disappear.  Grass covering a French Drain is a good thing if it grows across the drain without adding dirt.  The Grass thatch acts a water filter preventing clogging and extending the life of the Drainage System.

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

 

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

French drain installed
A French Drain can protect your foundation!

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

A Surface Drain has a grate that sits on top of a basin.  The basin is underground.  A Drain Pipe is connected underground to an outlet on the Drain Basin Storm-Water Drains through the grate into the Drain Basin.  Once in the Drain Basin, water travels out of the basin through a Drain Pipe.  The Storm-Water continues downhill in an underground Drain Pipe to an exit point.

THIS IS NOT A FRENCH DRAIN!

A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes.  The Drain Grate may be round or square.  Here is a picture of a common Surface Drain.

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 Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged.

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drain Pipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

A French Drain is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts connected to it.
The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the lime stone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is Ok.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the drain.
DONT COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.

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

nice rock
French Drains Can Look Great!

 

Servicing Central Oklahoma Including: Norman, Moore, Edmond, Midwest City, Del City, Mustang, Yukon, Nobel, New Castle, Purcell, and Blanchard.