When we think about getting a house, even if it is a simple thought of renting something; the things that emerge in our mind are not necessarily aesthetic, wall paint or renovation.
First thoughts are always practical, like whether the ceiling is leaking, or to ensure there are no molds, and whether the water supply is okay, aka the drainage system. The drainage system should be refined and up to the mark in any house.
One such fine drainage system is called the french drain system. But, you are right it is slightly complicated which is why it is so prone to mistakes. If you are wondering what are the common french drain mistakes, and how to avoid them then you have come to the right place. This is because by installing a French drain properly, you will be able to prevent water damage to your home and surroundings easily.
French Drains – A General Overview
If you have a poor drainage system in your ground, or if your ground is low, there is a lot of chance for standing water in the yard. This can be a bad thing for your property and it can damage it in significant areas. If you have stagnant water in your soil, it can damage the lawn, tree, basement, and foundation. Thereby, it will hurt your home’s value significantly. Furthermore, it will also lead to various costly repairs in the long run.
This is where you will need French drains for your home, as they will provide you with cost-effective solutions to protect your property. This can be a great thing if you have standing water. Also, you will be able to reduce the chances of flooding. Moreover, it will also help your prospective buyers since you have invested in proper maintenance for the protection of your property.
If your ground is low and you have a poor drainage system, then flooding can be a common problem. In such cases, French drains offer you the best solutions. Basically, French drains constitute ditches and pipes that divert away the water from your home and yard. As a result, there is no water-logging, and hence, you will be able to save the foundation of your home.
Major Features of French Drains
French drains move water from one area to another. Hence, this drainage system consists of a ditch surrounded by gravel and a perforated pipe. The water drains with the help of this pipe. As the pipe is tilted downward, the force of gravity does its job as it diverts the water to its appropriate place. You can then divert the water in a drainage ditch, storm drain, sump pump, or sewage system.
With the help of the French drain, the water gets an easy path to flow through the gravel and the drainage pipe. If you want gravity to do its job, you must keep the pipe at a downward-sloping angle.
Furthermore, an article on US News Real Estate recommends – “A weeping tile or interior French drain can also be used to prevent basement flooding and protect the property’s foundation from water damage. A weeping tile is a type of French drain and is used to protect a structure against hydrostatic pressure. They’re placed around the perimeter of the home to draw water away from the foundation.”
Pros and Cons of French Drains
The following are the major pros of French drains that you need to know:
Pros
Here are the major pros of French drains that you will benefit from:
- prevents flooding
- reduces the risk of long-term water damage
- lasts for thirty-forty years
- cost-effective
- aesthetically pleasing (covered with small rocks, decorative grates, and plants)
Cons
Here are a few cons of French drains that you need to be aware of:
- The installation process takes a lot of time.
- You might need to remove some existing structures to dig trenches.
- Digging a vulnerable area can be dangerous.
- If clogged, French drains can overflow, which might lead to bigger damage.
What Is French Drain Installation?
French drainage is an easy way to remove the unwanted groundwater which mainly consists of a gravel-filled trench and a few perforated drainage pipes. The gravel collects the surface water, or from the wet soil and then seeps into the pipe that drains it.
What Does A French Drain Do?
A French drain is filled with gravel, and a perforated pipe fills the trench which allows water to drain from your garden in a natural flow. You may be able to purchase the equipment and pipes depending on the area of the garden and how much drainage problem you are facing to make a French drain yourself.
How To Install A French Drain System?
Before you understand french drain mistakes you should learn the process of the French drainage system. Here is a step-by-step guidance of how it is done.
First Dig A Trench Which Is Wider Than The Pipe Of The Gradient
Choose a trench location that naturally goes downhill, or dig a trench with a 1% slope to create your personal slope. This will allow gravity to directly get the water to the destination of choice. Create a trench that is wide enough to hold the pipe with an aggregate jacket and a layer of the membrane.
Then The Water-Permeable Fabric Is Placed On The Trench
To do this, place the dough on the bottom and sides of the trench. On both sides of the trench, store enough cloth to put on the pipe, like wrapping a gift!
Fill The Bottom With Aggregate
Use a commercially available landscaping power pack to fill about one-third of the bottom of the trench. Larger aggregates ensure that water flows faster and probably less blockage, as all debris entering the system flows through the gaps in the aggregate. Aggregates with a diameter of 1-2 cm are generally ideal.
Then The Perforated Pipe Is Laid
Place the drainpipe of your choice along the perforated hole facing down. If you move it the other way around, the pipe won’t drain until it’s full. Use very strong and sturdy pipe connectors and couplings to extend the drain beyond the capability of the pipe to hold.
Then Add More Aggregate In The Trench
Shovel or dump a similar size aggregate on top of the trench pipe. This should be continued until the gravel is about 4 inches from the beginning of the trench.
Cover The French Drain With The Other Remaining Fabric
The landscape french drain fabric that was supposed to stick out from the end of the trench needs to be wrapped around the pipe and the aggregate. Make sure there are no or minimal gaps between the fabric and the edges.
This prevents dirt from getting into the drain and eventually clogging the system which is a very common french draining mistake.
Does French Drain Need Fabric?
The industry standard for French drains is 4 to 4.5 ounces of a non-woven drain. Avoid using perforated tubes wrapped in socks without a drain cloth. These can easily become clogged with dirt and dirt.
The Last Part Is To Hide The Drain
You can now choose to put a soft layer of soil or the like on top of the French drainage canal without hiding that it is in it. This can be useful with agricultural applications where the location of the French outflow is important, and the appearance of the land is not important.
Someone added a layer of decorative aggregate after the landscaping fabric was wrapped around this system, as shown below. For residential and commercial projects that include gardens, parks, and other areas. Now this area can be covered with furniture if you have a french drain basement or grass if outdoors to hide work.
Do You Cover French Drain With Dirt?
You have to cover the trench pipe with 12 inches of washed gravel. Place the filter cloth on the gravel so that the soil does not clog the pipe.
Now, if you want to know What is the best way to install a French Drain then you can easily follow the above steps.
French Drain In Basement
No, a french drain will not protect your basement from overlogging with water.
If you have a basement french drain installed then you will need to use a drifter to dig the soil in the trench.
When you have an outdoor French Drain along the perimeter of the foundation, it means heavy excavation to the base.
French Drain Mistakes You Must Avoid!
Now that we have understood the installation process, it is time to learn and avoid these French drain mistakes.
1. Not Understanding The Direction Of The Water Flow
Here we would like to evaluate the flood-prone areas of your garden. Before starting the plan, it is necessary to establish a general direction of flow in the French drainage channel. It is important that the water flows in the right direction away from your home.
2. Overlooking Zoning Regulations
It is important that the French drain does not adversely affect the land or public areas. Both scenarios can lead to legal issues. For these reasons, you should check with your local building authority to avoid french drain mistakes.
Building codes, community rules, or zoning laws may limit drainage projects in your area. Therefore, it is important to check the plan with the local building, zoning, or homeowner authority.
3. When You Can’t Comprehend The Slope
This is another common among the French drainage mistakes.
A slope is required for the French drain to function properly. It is important for the slope to descend at a rate of 1%. This speed corresponds to a drop of 1 foot per 100 feet of French outflow.
Or, or the natural slope of the property is steep and may not be a problem. However, it is crucial to understand that steep slopes increase speed.
4. Using Wrong Kind Of Gravel
Proper drainage rocks are important for proper drainage and permeability. Therefore, around the natural stone is required as a filler.
This type of stone allows the material to flow better. Plus, with the right rocks, you don’t have to worry about debris clogging and breaking the French drain.
Choosing the right gravel for French drainage is crucial for optimal performance. Here are key considerations:
Stone Choice: Opt for 1-1/2″ clean round rock for superior drainage, especially when washed.
Avoid Pea Gravel: Steer clear of small pea gravel due to reduced space between stones, limiting flow rates.
Caution with Crushed Rock: Avoid Crushed Rock (minus) to prevent compaction and fines that can clog pipe inlets.
Pro Tip: In areas where round rock isn’t available, and crushed stone is the only practical choice, use a sock-wrapped drainpipe. This protective sock prevents fines from crushed rock, ensuring your perforated or slotted pipe remains unclogged and efficient.
5. Trench Not Lined
It is also important to line the French drain with a cloth. Whenever possible, you should use continuous swaths to avoid french drain mistakes.
If not, you can stack the dough at least 12 inches. However, it is important to pierce the ground with staples to secure both ends of the cloth. When laying the dough, fold the excess on both sides and cut it off later.
How Far Away From Foundation Should A French Drain Be?
This is a very common question people ask when they are trying to figure out the French drain mistakes.It is recommended between 2 to 5 ft away when it comes to the foundation.
6. Choosing The Wrong Type Of Landscape Fabric
Choosing the correct landscape fabric is a critical decision in ensuring the functionality and durability of a French Drain system. Here’s why the material matters:
Non-Woven vs. Woven Fabric: The two primary types, non-woven and woven fabrics, have distinct advantages. Non-woven fabric is ideal for water drainage, allowing water to pass through while filtering out dirt and debris. Woven fabrics, with greater pull strength, are better suited for applications requiring strength but may hinder drainage.
Pro Tip: Opt for a non-woven drainage fabric with 4 to 6-ounce weight for lining a French drain. This weight offers excellent flow-through rates and durability, ensuring a long-lasting and efficient drainage system. Avoid ultra-thick rip rap fabric (8 oz +) designed for erosion control, as it’s not suitable for French drains.
Putting Excavated Soil Back into the Trench
One common mistake in French drain installation involves the temptation to ease the trenching process by placing the excavated soil or clay back on top of the newly created drain system. However, this practice should be avoided to ensure the drain’s effectiveness. The excavation and installation of a drain system typically occur because the existing soil doesn’t drain properly.
Ideal drain fields are porous, facilitating unimpeded water flow. Reintroducing soil or clay into the drain system can lead to clogging, gradually reducing the drain’s capacity over time. The bottom line is clear: once the soil is removed, refrain from putting it back in.
Trench Not Lined
It is also important to line the French drain with a cloth. Whenever possible, you should use continuous swaths to avoid french drain mistakes.
If not, you can stack the dough at least 12 inches. However, it is important to pierce the ground with staples to secure both ends of the cloth. When laying the dough, fold the excess on both sides and cut it off later.
How Far Away From Foundation Should A French Drain be?
This is a very common question people ask when they are trying to figure out the French drain mistakes.
It is recommended between 2 to 5 ft away when it comes to the foundation.
Final Words
French drain installation is very important when you are trying to prevent your house from flooding at all times.
These are the common french drain mistakes that you should try to avoid with the tips given. Hope we were able to solve some of the queries on this subject, let us know if you have any other questions and we will try our best to answer them.
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