A French drain is a draining system that carries water away from areas of your lawn that have drainage problems to a different area that has a better drainage flow. It is also ideal for preventing water from entering your basement and causing damage. This type of drain works by a pipe being installed underground to carry the excess water from one area through the pipe, and down to where the pipe ends and the water is released. It works the best when there is a hill or some kind of incline for the water to flow easier.
Wider French drains work better than narrow ones because there is more gravel in wider drains than narrow ones. By having more gravel, silt takes more time to fill up the spaces between the pipe and the gravel, which makes the drain last longer. Also, a wider French drain will allow for water to disperse better than a narrow one. If you were going to build a drywell (which is a way to transfer extra water deeper into the soil) at the end of your French drain, having a wider trench will make it a lot easier to build one.
A French drain can be installed by any homeowner, however, it is a very long process and proper precautions must be taken. If you are uncomfortable with using digging tools for an extensive period of time, laying down piping, or pouring rocks and gravel, it is highly recommended to call a French drain specialist. They will know the right type of French drain that will work the best, in addition to the proper length and width and where it should start and end. These specialists have extensive knowledge of French drains and will be able to better understand the underlying problem that you are having.
If you do feel comfortable and confident in performing these activities, then:
Step 1: Plan
The first step is to consult your utility company to determine where the cable lines are in your lawn so that you don’t accidentally dig them up. After this is done, you need to plan out where your drain is going to flow.
Step 2: Dig
After planning out the route of your drain, you need to dig the trench. 6” by 12” is usually recommended, although there is no standard size. Be sure that your trenches will have an appropriate slope (try for a 2 percent grade) so that the water will flow easier.
Step 3: Add gravel and pipe
Lay out a layer of gravel at the bottom of the trench, and then place the perforated pipe on top. The pipe should be covered in a fabric filter, and should be surrounded by at least an inch of gravel.
Step 4: Add sand
Cover the gravel with coarse sand so that the water will filter through it.
Step 5: Plant sod
You can cover the sand with sod to replace the grass that you originally dug through. If you’re going to use sod, be sure to clean the soil from the roots so that the dirt does not infiltrate your new drainage system.
Installing a French drain is a very complicated process that can lead to problems if it is not done the proper way. The best way to go about it is to hire a professional so that they can provide you with their excellent service and be sure that there are no complications associated with the project.
If you’re having drainage problems, call us at (407) 413-9795.
