French drains are pipe systems that channel ground water away from the foundations. It consists of a perforated pipe covered by rock and gravel. French drains provide an effective way to balance soil moisture levels and can even be used to collect water for reservoirs. In this blog, foundation repair contractor Rapid Dri discusses important considerations when installing French drains.
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Average Rainfall — French drains are fed by rain, so it’s important for you to know the average rainfall in your area. This determines factors such as how deep the trench will be and which pipe and size you will be using.
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Piping Size — Most residential French drain systems use pipes with a 4-inch diameter. Pipes up to 8 inches may be used if the structure happens to be in an area that accumulates high volumes of water that needs to be drained quickly. The pipes should be long enough to reach an outlet such as a ditch, storm drain, or a sump pump. It can also be set to feed a dry well.
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Piping Type — There are various types of plastic piping that can be used on French drains. Vinyl piping, also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC is the most popular, thanks to its durability, low cost and recyclability. Pipes made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), similar in composition to the plastic used for basement waterproofing, are likewise suitable.
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Pipe Placement — Proper placement can influence the French drain system’s efficiency, as much as piping size or type. French drains are not perfectly flat; the bottom of the trench and pipe should be sloped between 1% and 3% towards where you want the water to go. The top must be covered by at least 12 inches of gravel or stone, which acts as both ballast and filtering material. Filter fabric or landscaping cloth covers the gravel or stone layer to separate sediment.
Rapid Dri is your leading provider of foundation repair services. Give us a call at (734) 272-4495 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, MI.
