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A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.
When should you use a French drain?
When You Need a French Drain When you have a problem with surface water, such as a soggy lawn or a driveway that washes out. If water is getting into your basement. If you’re building a retaining wall on a hillside.
Do French drains really work?
Properly constructed, french drains will work well to transmit water from the pipe to the exit of the pipe; however, they are not very efficient in dewatering poorly drained soils. Adequate fall means at least 2 ft lower per 100 ft of pipe or 0.25 in. per foot of slope.
What is the difference between a French drain and a regular drain?
The Difference Between French Drains and Surface Drains. You’ll find that the primary difference between the two systems is that French drains deal with water that gradually seeps below the ground, while surface drains redirect water that’s accumulating above ground.
How deep should a French drain be?
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.
Which is better French drain or catch basin?
If you are trying to control moderate amounts of runoff and groundwater over a large area, install a French drain. To drain large amounts of runoff or surface area from a low spot in your yard, install a catch basin.
Where do French drains end?
Which End is Up? The two ends of a French drain system are: The drain field, or high end, where excess ground water enters the drain pipes. The drain exit, or lowest point, where water leaves the system.
Do French drains clog?
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.
Does a French drain need a pipe?
Officially a French drain is a gravel drain with no pipe. The water just collects in and travels through in a gravel or stone filled channel that starts from the surface or just below it.
How much does it cost to put French drains in?
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.
What’s better French drain or trench drain?
While French drains deal with water that’s underground, trench drains divert excess water away from the surface. These drains are great for managing excess rainwater and stormwater in concrete areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways.
How do you know where to put a French drain?
Dig a trench along the outside of your footing. The trench should be at least 2 feet wide, and can be as deep as 6 feet for a basement or as shallow as two feet for a slab-on-grade home. Lay the pipe on the virgin soil.
Does French drain need an outlet?
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn’t require an inlet on just one end either.
How close to the house should a French drain be?
How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio and deck.
Does French drain need to be sloped?
French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
How do I put drainage in my yard?
Start digging. Dig a really big hole. Install the dry well. Prepare the dry well. Set the dry well in place. Lower the dry well into the hole after wrapping the sides with a special silt blocking landscape fabric. Connect the drain tube. Cover the tube with fabric. Connect the downspouts to the drain line.
How deep are drain pipes?
Maintaining a depth of 12 to 18 inches is best for drain pipes, but the depth of the pipe may vary in order to maintain a downward slope, which is critical for proper drain functioning.
What can I do instead of a French drain?
5 Alternatives to French Drains Sump Pumps. Dry Wells. A dry well can add drainage without the need for an electrical or sewage line connection. Stairs, Steps or a Ramp. Landscaping. Valleys or Ditches. Gutters.
How long do French drains last?
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years.
How much water can a French drain handle?
Generally, a French drain should drop at least one percent in depth for every 100 feet of length.
