If you are looking for a drainage or erosion solution, you have probably heard the term french drain. French drains are an excellent solution for many drainage problems.
Begin the Right Way
One of the things that you need to do is make sure the french drain system you choose is legal. Many areas contain protected land, wetlands or foliage. You could face fines if you put your french drain in the wrong area. An experienced professional can help you with this.
You also need to know what type of soil you have as well as the depth of the groundwater. This information may be obtained through your local geological survey.
When installing any of the various french drain systems, you must have your utility lines checked. You risk severe injury or cutting power and water lines if you don’t.
Dig Out Your Drain Area
You will want to dig a ditch from the downspout to where you want your french drain to end. Both the size and depth will vary depending on how large your pipe is and whether you want it to connect to a catch box. Your ditch should be at least one and one-half feet down and four to six inches wide.
Choose Your Pipe
Your pipe needs to be wide enough to accommodate the water and small enough to connect to your french drain downspout. Drill holes in your pipe or purchase one specifically made for french drains. A professional installation company will already have a variety of sizes.
Layer Your Gravel
Pour a layer of gravel on the bottom of your ditch. This allows the water to trickle down, preventing erosion.
Lay Your Pipe and Fill
Put your pipe on top of the layer of gravel and pour more gravel around the pipe. You will want to use topsoil or sod on top to blend it in.
French drains are not complex, but there are many things to consider. When in doubt, hire a professional to help.
