How deep should the trench be for a French drain?

How deep should the trench be for a French drain?

A French drain starts with digging a trench. The depth and width of the trench can vary, but 5 to 6 inches wide and 8 to 12 inches deep are common sizes and usually satisfy most needs.

How long should a French drain last?

Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years.

How much should I charge to install a French drain?

Having a landscaper or other professional install outdoor French drains can cost $10-$30 a linear foot but averages about $25/foot depending on depth and width (typically 12"-24" deep and 6"-18" wide), and local rates. A French drain 30'-50' long might cost $300-$1,500, with prices averaging about $750-$1,250.

How close to the house should a French drain be?

The trench should go in at least two feet below your substructure soil level. Digging the trench too close to the house can complicate your problems. A good rule of thumb is moving the drain one foot off the wall for each foot down you dig; for a four-foot deep drain, build it four feet from your walls.

Do French drain holes go up or down?

When you lay your PVC pipe, the rows of holes should always be facing the downward position. You want to keep the water level in your French drain as low as possible at all times, and you can't achieve this if the holes are facing upwards or sideways.

Can you cover a French drain with dirt?

The best practice for installing French drains is to use perforated drainage pipes, which allow water to enter or exit through small openings along the pipe. … Cover the pipe with at least 12 inches of washed gravel. Lay filter fabric over the gravel to prevent any soil from clogging the pipe.

Can a French drain end underground?

A bigger basement usually requires two sump pumps. A professional can install an exterior French drain around two to three feet underground so it can move surface water away from your home and property. The drain length will depend on how far away you would like the water released.

Are French drains effective?

French drain systems are incredibly effective because, unlike typical surface drains, they collect water over the entire length of the drain as opposed to one dedicated area. The force of gravity helps to guide water along a reliably smooth path to a desired discharge point.

Can you cover a French drain with grass?

The simplest drain is a classic French drain, which is nothing more than a trench filled with coarse stone or gravel. … The drain can be left open or, if aesthetics are a concern, can be covered with a couple of inches of topsoil and sod.

Where do French drains drain to?

It is used to direct surface water or groundwater away from a specific area, such as a home's foundation. French drains direct surface level water toward the lowest point and allow it to seep through the surface level gravel into the drain.

Will a French drain prevent water in basement?

In fact, it keeps the basement dry by preventing the water from developing the pressure it takes to enter the basement in the first place. A French drain, often called “drain tile,” installed inside or outside the foundation, will keep most basements dry and never requires maintenance or replacement.

How much gravel do I need for a 50 foot French drain?

French drain gravel should be washed three quarter inch minimum and as large as 1 ½ ” crushed stone. The upper 12 inches above the pipe shall be filled with native soil, to avoid having crushed stone over the perforated pipe that could damage the pipe.

Is pea gravel good for drainage?

Since it has a smooth finish, pea gravel is also regularly used for walkways, dog runs, playgrounds, patios, and a variety of other high-traffic areas. Like crushed stone, pea gravel can also be used for underground projects, such as drainage and pipe bedding.