Sump Pump with French Drain
Sump Pump Installation
Sump Pumps are used when water can’t be drained away by gravity. You might have water standing in an area and it is up hill in all directions. A gravity flow French Drain or Surface Drain System will not work so you must pump the water to the Exit Point. The Same holds true if you have water standing in a basement. Pumping out the water is the only way.
Most Sump Pumps work automatically. When the Sump Pump is under water a float rises up on the side of the pump and turns on the pump. When the water is pumped away, the float falls back down and turns off the pump. When water is flowing constantly on to the pump, it turns itself on and off over and over. This could go on for hours or even days.
Sump Pump Inside Sump Pump Cavity
Pump Size refers to how powerful it is not how physically large it is. For Home or Small Business use a 1/3 Horse or a 1/2 Horse Works Best. Larger Pumps such as a 1 Horse Pump must be ordered by a supplier and must be Hard Wired to 220 voltage by an electrician.
A Sump Pump Cavity
looks like a trash can. When water drains into the sump cavity it raises the float and turns on the pump. Once empty it falls down and turns off the Pump.
The larger the sump cavity the less often the sump turns on and off. A small sump cavity wears out the sump pump faster because it turns on and off more making it less efficient.
Building a large custom sump cavity.
Larger Volume Sump Cavity
Large volume
custom sump cavities collect a large volume of water before the sump pump turns on. Once on the Sump pump works for several minutes before turning off. Once empty the larger sump cavity takes a longer time to refill again. Which gives the pump a longer time to cool off and rest.
A sump pump in a large cavity will last much longer than one in a small cavity.
French Drain installed under walkway
IF YOU NEED WATER DRAINED AWAY FROM YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS CALL OKLAHOMA DRAINAGE 405-203 9419
Oklahoma Drainage and all types of Drainage Systems and French Drains. French Drain Installation is a primary focus for us.
Oklahoma Drainage has been providing French Drain Systems since 1993 for all of Central and Western Oklahoma.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or have a question, Call or Text to 405 203 9419
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 several inches wider than the French Drainpipe that is being used. This leaves space for the gravel or crushed limestone.
There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe. 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 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.
Trench Liner and Pipe Filter installed Below
French Drain Installation with trench liner and Pipe filter
A Trench liner should be placed in the trench before the perforated pipe is installed, and the gravel is filled in on top. This will ensure that the gravel stays clean and the French Drain Does not clog.
The limestone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).
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.
What it is Designed For
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 isn’t very pretty. They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.
Grass Growing Over French Drain
Depending on the area the
French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the
French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the limestone. Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the
French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.
This is OK. It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the
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.
No Dirt!
DON’T COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT. THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT. DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.
Installing a Curb Outlet for a French Drain in Oklahoma City
Basic Information
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,
2
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.
French Drain in Oklahoma City
Installing Surface Drain System in Edmond Oklahoma
Sometimes Surface Drains make more sense when the Drainage Problem area is fairly small with Surface Water Flowing into it.
We install Many types of Drains
We install a variety of other types of Drains. Our Drainage Systems may utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps. In the past 21 years, we have installed French Drains to keep water away from home and business foundations, Surface Drains to keep water away from sidewalks and driveways, Trench Drains, and French Drains to keep standing water out of flowerbeds and yards, and Sump Pumps to remove water from basements and outdoor low-lying areas.
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, giveus a call. We provide free estimates for all of central Oklahoma.
French Drain With Colored Gravel in Oklahoma City
Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains. Most Drainage Systems , however are basic and require just one type of Drain.
We 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, give us a call. 405 203 9419
Most Common Drain
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.
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.
