When should you use a French drain?

When should you use a French drain?

French Drains are primarily used to drain groundwater from gardens and around the foundations of buildings. French drains are designed to move water that is trapped in the ground away or towards an area. They are best used in soil that is prone to frequent saturation from rain or flooding.

How big should my French drain be?

The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide. 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.

Where should a French drain be installed in a house?

Every new house has some version of a French drain at the bottom of the foundation. Where the lot has enough slope and size for a drain to run downhill from the foundation to daylight, most builders prefer to install the drainage outside the footings.

Do I need a French drain around my house?

The location of your home may have been extremely attractive when you bought it, but a home on low ground needs help from a French Drain. Your home can flood easily because gravity is pulling water to the house during a rain storm. The French drain takes advantage of gravity to prevent flooding.

What is the average cost to install a French drain?

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.

How close to the foundation should a French drain be?

We recommend installing the french drains between 2 and 5 feet away from the foundation. There are a few variables that impact the exact distance to dig the new drain lines to carry water away from your home. Finding the right distance: Check where water is pooling naturally during heavy rains.

How deep should a French drain be around a house?

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.

How shallow can a French drain be?

Because there is a direct relationship between the diameter of a drain pipe and its relative effectiveness, make your trench no smaller than 12 inches wide, and aim for a depth between 18 and 24 inches.

Do you need a permit for a French drain?

Generally, a small French drain on your property that doesn’t change the flow of runoff entering and exiting your yard won’t need a permit. Major projects that warrant your French drain to discharge into a municipal sewer or roadside ditch, however, do require one.

How close should French drain be to foundation?

What is the best gravel for a French drain?

Hard rocks such as granite or river gravel prove viable options for a French drain because they won’t break down over time as much as other rock varieties, such as sandstone and limestone.

What is the best French drain pipe?

Best Pipe for a French Drain. Pipes specified to be used on French drains pipes are normally 6-inch diameter perforated PVC SDR-35. If the job or area to be worked is small, you might want to try a four-inch pipe but remember it will all come down to the amount of water being handled.

What gravel is best for drainage?

If you have clay or poorly draining soil or your yard sees a lot of rain or runoff water, consider using coarse gravel beneath your pavers. Coarse gravel is the largest type of gravel, allows for optimum drainage and can support the heaviest of loads.

What is size rock French drain?

Recommended French Drain Gravel Size The best gravel size for french drains is small rocks and pebbles.5″ to 1″. Gravel this size is size enough to fit in the drain lines and big enough to properly filter the water.