How to Install French Drains

Just like sewer drains, it is important to have good drainage to ensure that your house remains dry and free from clogged drains. If the groundwater collects in the basement, it’s not just inconvenient, but it could also lead to worsening the situation like affecting kitchen drains.

That said, like sewer drains, an effective way to prevent undesirable water is installing french drains with gravel, filter fabrics, and pipes. This makes drain cleaning become easier.

Step 1: Know the area for drainage and re-routing

Find an appropriate location in the yard so excess water would be rerouted. The location should let water flow and not affect the neighbor.

Step 2: Add gravel and trench

Use a shovel to dig the wide trench with a depth not greater than the nearest foundation. The proper trenches should run parallel to the building and across slopes to improve airflow.

Step 3: Add fabric lining and insert a drain pipe

To line the entire span of the trench atop the layer of gravel and leave around 10 inches of excess fabric on side trenches. On top of the fabric lining, the drain pipe should be placed, and add gravel to cover the pipe.

Step 4: Fold and cover the trench

Finally, you can fold excess fabric lining and cover sand and topsoil using turf. You may also add a bed of stones around the open end of the drain pipe.