A French drain must be sloped to carry the water down to its destination. A minimum slope of 1 percent that is, a drop of 1 foot for every feet in length is recommended. It's fine if your yard creates a natural slope that is steeper; just be aware that steepness increases water velocity and can lead to more erosion in the discharge area. Check the natural slope by driving a stake at the beginning and end of the planned trench route.
Tie a mason's line tightly to one of the stakes; then run it over to the other stake and tie it off loosely. Attach a line level to the line. Detach the loose end of the line, pull the line taut, adjust it so it is level, and tie it securely to its stake. Measure straight down from the line to the ground at regular intervals every 4 feet, or so to see how the slope changes.
You can adjust the depth of the trench as needed to create the desired slope; working against a natural slope just means more digging. Reset the stakes and level line, if necessary, so the line runs down the center of the planned trench.
Begin digging the trench by cutting a straight line through the sod, 3 inches or as desired to one side of the line using a square garden spade. Repeat the same process on the other side, also 3 inches from the line, for a total trench width of 6 inches or as desired. Remove the sod, then dig the trench, creating vertical sides and a smooth, sloped bottom.
Measure down from the line frequently as you work to check the slope of the trench bottom. Remember, you're measuring into the trench, not to the ground surface. Make the trench as deep as desired. For example, a foot-long trench might be 8 to 10 inches deep at the starting end and 14 to 16 inches deep at the exit point assuming the natural slope is relatively flat. Compact and smooth the bottom of the trench as you go.
Line the trench with landscape fabric using a continuous swath if possible. Common Problems. Service Areas. Seattle, WA. Bellevue, WA. Tacoma, WA. Redmond, WA. Renton, WA. French Drain Installation. What Is a French Drain? Components of a French Drain System A trench is dug deep into the soil to collect the water that exists in the soil around the perimeter of the structure.
The trench is lined with filter fabric to prevent soil from entering the drain. A rock field is used to allow for water flow to the perforated pipe. The rock field also creates a barrier that prevents soil from entering the pipe.
Make sure the corrugated pipe has slots so it can drain properly. But this can also make it prone to leaks and tears. Look for perforated pipe already encased in water-permeable fabric. You can buy perforated pipe that has already been wrapped in fabric at your local hardware store or online. This pipe is often sold as an easy install for home improvement projects. Get 4 or 6 inches 10 or 15 cm wide pipe for the drain.
This size will allow water to move through the pipe easily in a steady flow. Pipe that is too narrow can cause the water to pool or trickle too slowly when it rains.
Pipe that is too wide can take up too much space in the trench and allow debris to get into the drain. Measure the location to get the right amount of pipe.
Use a measuring tape to determine how long the pipe is going to be in the trench. Start at the beginning of the trench and measure down to the bottom of the trench. You may want to add a few extra inches to the measurement so you have more than enough pipe. You can then cut the pipe down to size when you put the French drain in. Part 3. Get the location checked by your utility company to confirm it is safe to dig. Before you dig, call your utility company and ask them to inspect the area for any power lines or underground lines that cannot be touched or moved.
They must give you all the clear for you to be able to dig the trench in the location safely. Most trenches are permissible as long as they are on your land and are not too large or deep. Call your local city building department to double check. Dig a shallow trench to redirect surface water. The trench should be 2 feet 0. This will ensure the drain can catch any water on the surface of your property near your home and channel it away to a safe draining spot.
Create a deep trench if you want to avoid flooding in your basement. The trench should run around the entire perimeter of your home at footing level. This is a deep trench that will require significant construction and effort.
You may want to rent trench-digging tools to make the job easier. If you want to avoid digging a trench this deep or the area does not have enough slope, you can run a pipe down to the basement to direct water into a basin and use a sump pump to lift out the water. This is a different method than using a French drain. Measure the grading using stakes and string. Put the stakes on either side of the trench every couple of inches to mark the dimensions of the trench.
Then, tie a string around the stakes, forming two long lines of string on either side of the trench. Follow the grade marked by the strings as you dig to ensure the trench is the same dimensions all the way down.
Use a shovel to dig the trench across the slope. Start at the top of the trench and dig your way down. Check the grading regularly as you dig to ensure you are creating the right dimensions.
You may find this process easier if you ask friends or family to help you dig, especially if you are digging a long trench. Our experts dig a trench around the area having proper slope by checking the groundwater utility lines and pipes. The depth of the channel is about inches wide with a pitch. The trench should be wide enough to accommodate the tube with the bulk and membrane around it.
French drain should be free from silt, tree roots and dirt. Then, the weed barrier or fabric filter is shed over the gravel in the trench. Around inches of gravel or stone is poured into the trench, a blanket for the drainage piping. After that, solid and durable pipes are installed at the points where water pools out the most. Pipes are laid according to the trench structure over the gravel layer, and drainage holes should face downwards, which will signify the proper flow of the drain.
The pipe is covered with a gravel layer and excessive fabric filter, which acts as another layer of protection. The trench is filled with soil, and the surface is again covered with stones. Decorative kinds of stuff are installed as layers like grass etc. Read more real customer reviews:. Why choose Aquatech Basement Waterproofing company?
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