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According to Fixr, the average French drain costs $4,500. An exterior drain located fairly close to the surface could cost as little as $1,000, or $25 per linear foot on average. Drains installed under your basement floor could cost $2,000 or more. Expect to pay $60 to $70 per linear foot for installation.
Can you dig a French drain by hand?
It is easier to dig and grade a wide French drain, especially when deep, because you can get your digging tools, hands, and even feet into a deep 12 inch trench – but not a 6 inch one. Grading the bottom of trench to obtain the proper slope is also much easier in a wider French drain, especially when digging by hand.
Is a French drain worth it?
A French drain can be a blessing for your land or home. They have several advantages. Efficient drainage: A significant benefit of a French drain is its ability to move water away from your home or foundation. You can choose where you want the water to go with either an interior or exterior French drain system.
What can I do instead of a French drain?
Swales or Valleys Swales, also called valleys, are an alternative to French drains that capture and divert rainwater. Swales are shallow ditches that do not contain pipes. You can usually find them along a property’s edge, following the natural grade of the land to direct runoff to ditches or wooded areas.
How do you dig a drainage ditch by hand?
How Do You Dig a Drainage Ditch by Hand? Gather the trenching tools you need: trenching shovel, pick mattock, and hoe. Contact Call 811 before digging, to have underground utilities on your property marked. Mark your trench path to make it easy to follow. Begin by excavating the trench with a trenching shovel.
How hard is it to dig a French drain?
Because digging the trench can be difficult work on your own, get friends and family to help if possible. Once the trench is complete, installing a French drain is a straightforward process. The new drain will get runoff water under control, protect your basement and keep your yard from becoming a swamp.
How long will a French drain last?
Properly installed drains use advanced plastic sheeting called geotextile to protect the drainpipe from a blockage. French drains can last decades before needing maintenance. If your home requires a sump pump, a high-quality model will last around ten years before needing replacement.
Do Exterior French drains work?
Conclusion. Both exterior and interior French drains provide effective protection against flooding and water damage in your basement. Yet, due to the costs and difficulty of installing and servicing an exterior drain on existing houses, it may be better to install interior drains.
Is a swale better than a French drain?
French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.
What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?
Aside from what we’ve listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.
How do you dig a ditch for drainage?
Dig a trench that is 18 inches deep and 9–12 inches wide. Lay water-permeable landscaping fabric in the trench, followed by 3 inches of gravel. Lay your perforated drain pipe in the trench, cover with an additional 3 inches of gravel, and cover the drainage ditch with rocks, soil, or stones.
How deep should a French drain be dug?
French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.
How much does it cost to put in a French drain?
The average cost to install French drains range from $2,800 to $6,500. Costs can be as low as $2,000 for a 100 linear foot drain in an exterior location to as high as $10,000 for a 100 linear foot perimeter drain.French Drain Costs. French drain Installation Prices Minimum cost $2,000 Maximum cost $10,000.
How far away from foundation should a French drain be?
We recommend installing the french drains between 2 and 5 feet away from the foundation. There are a few variables that impact the exact distance to dig the new drain lines to carry water away from your home. Finding the right distance: Check where water is pooling naturally during heavy rains.
Will a French drain freeze in the winter?
While usually a good strategy to prevent foundation damage, French drains may get damaged by winter thaw and freeze cycles. When drains are clogged, the water may find its way into your foundation, exactly where you don’t want it to be.
Do French drains cause mold?
They can result in mold, odors, and damage to stored personal belongings. They can affect property value and make sale of a property difficult. In a single word, wet basements are “yucky!” Click Here to Download a PDF Copy of the French Drain Article as Published.
When should you use a French drain?
French Drains are primarily used to drain groundwater from gardens and around the foundations of buildings. French drains are designed to move water that is trapped in the ground away or towards an area. They are best used in soil that is prone to frequent saturation from rain or flooding.
Do French drains last forever?
We’re going to go over some do’s and don’ts for French drains. The stone gravel French drain will last forever. A French drain that’s installed correctly will last forever, simply put.
Why do French drains fail?
Water seeping through the soil to reach a French drain often carries sediment into the drain. The water then deposits this sediment on the gravel in the drain as it flows through the ditch. Over time, this sediment build-up can slow the flow of water through the drain or block it up entirely.
Do French drains get clogged?
But, just like any other type of drain, French drains are susceptible to clogging. Soil and debris have a tendency to build up inside the pipes, eventually stopping water from flowing altogether. To avoid letting water back up into your home, follow this French drain cleaning guide.
