What is the best type of French drain?

There are two types of pipes that experts recommend using for French drains. You can use smooth-wall PVC or corrugated pipes. These pipes are lightweight, and buyers often purchase them. However, they differ a bit.

What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?

Aside from what we’ve listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.

What is the best material for a French drain?

One of the most common pipe materials used to create a French drain is plastic because of its durability. There are two frequently chosen pipe variations: corrugated and PVC. Both are lightweight, but corrugated pipe can be flexible, while PVC is stronger and more rigid.

What is an alternative to a French drain system?

Swales or Valleys

Swales, also called valleys, are an alternative to French drains that capture and divert rainwater. Swales are shallow ditches that do not contain pipes. You can usually find them along a property’s edge, following the natural grade of the land to direct runoff to ditches or wooded areas.

How deep and wide should a 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.

Is a swale better than a French drain?

French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.

When should you not use a French drain?

They Don’t Work in All Types of Soil

Most importantly, French drains won’t work in all parts of the country. There are three types of dirt possible on your property: loose dirt made of sand particles, average dirt made of loam (a mixture of sand, silt, and clay), and compacted, heavy dirt made of clay particles.

What is the average cost to have a French drain installed?

between $5,000 and $13,500
Location in Home and Accessibility

Interior French drains are more expensive to install than exterior drains because they require more labor to excavate through a concrete floor. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $5,000 and $13,500 to have a French drain installed in the home.

Which is better sump pump or French drain?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask us is which is better: a sump pump or French drains. Both options offer the ability to drain water and have their advantages and disadvantages – if you still can’t pick we recommend installing a sump pump. They offer more draining power and are more flexible.

When would you use a trench drain?

Trench drains are generally considered as surface drains. These are perfect for channeling pooled water on the ground surface so that water will not seep through the very foundation of your home. This type of drain is preferred in areas of the home where the possibility of water pooling is high.

Why use a trench drain?

Roadways — trench drains are used to control excess surface water and keep travelers safe. Commercial buildings — apartment complexes, shopping centers, and business buildings all need protection from excess surface water due to rain and flooding.

When should you use a French drain?

When You Need a French Drain
  1. When you have a problem with surface water, such as a soggy lawn or a driveway that washes out.
  2. If water is getting into your basement.
  3. If you’re building a retaining wall on a hillside.

How much does it cost to put in a trench drain?

The average cost for this type of drain is $30 to $150 an installed foot. If you are using concrete and metal, the cost will be at the higher end of the range, and if you select plastic and wood, you will get close to the lower end of the range.

Do you need pipe in a French drain?

Officially a French drain is a gravel drain with no pipe. The water just collects in and travels through in a gravel or stone filled channel that starts from the surface or just below it.

Do French drains work in winter?

A French drain will work fine in a cold environment. The French drain must be placed below the frost line for it to work properly in these bitter cold environments. This is critical for the drain to work all year round, without obstructions such as freezing.

Do you use perforated pipe for French drain?

Having a drain pipe, most commonly a 4″ or 6″ perforated pipe surrounded by round drain rock provides the capacity to move this water away from structures and prevent pooling.

Why do French drains fail?

Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.

Do you need to put gravel under French drain?

The old way of installing French drains is to do it without the gravel and the fabric. Without the gravel and the fabric, however, the drain can clog up with sand and soil over time.

How long will a French drain last?

Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.

What is the average cost to install a French drain?

French drain costs range widely (from $500 to $18,000) and will vary based on where the French drain is located (inside or outside) as well as its length and depth. However, most homeowners will pay around $5,000.

How far away from house should French drain be?

How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio, basement and deck before installing the french drain system.

Do French drains need to be cleaned?

French drains need annual maintenance

Despite the design’s best efforts, French drains get clogged by dirt, debris and silt. They do need to be cleaned out regularly – about once per year – to ensure that they continue to direct water away from the building’s foundation.

Does a French drain increase home value?

The value of the property. Installing a French drain will increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell it in future. On the other hand, a substandard French drain may spell disaster for neighboring residences.