The Importance of French Drains & How to Install Them
What are French Drains
A French drain is a shallow trench that typically contains perforated pipe and stone. French drains are installed for the purpose of redirecting surface water away from problem areas of your home and yard. The perforated pipe is often referred to as weeping tile or subdrain.
French drains allow water to pass through easily, preventing it from pooling in low points and trouble areas. Water passes through the stone and into the perforated pipe, where it’s directed with little resistance down a slope to your preferred drainage area.
If your drainage issue directly impacts your foundation, we recommend hiring a drainage professional or foundation expert. If the problem is not directly impacting your foundation, French drains can be installed by the homeowner. Installing a French drain is a frequent DIY project for homeowners, as it can be completed with only a few basic tools and some elbow grease.
Why French Drains are Important
French drains are important because they are an affordable, easy, and effective solution for drainage issues in your yard, around your home, or to help prevent excess moisture in your basement.
Standing water along the foundation of your home can cause the moisture to slowly leak through and into your basement. It can also cause long-term foundation issues if left untreated. Pooling water throughout your yard can damage or kill your grass and plants, increase the population of insects such as mosquitoes, and facilitate the growth of bacteria or mould.
With a French drain, excess water can be rerouted and deposited elsewhere, such as a rain garden, water collection tank, or runoff area of your property.
Recommended Materials For Your French Drain Project
This project can be completed with a few simple gardening tools and basic supplies. All of which are available online at ontarioagra.ca or in store at 5377 Elcho Road, Wellandport.
How to Install a French Drain
Installing a French drain is a perfect DIY project for those who are willing to put in the work. There are only a few steps and some basic guidelines to help ensure you get the job done right.
- Dig a trench that’s at least 12 inches wide, and between 18 and 24 inches deep. Create a slope of approximately 1 inch for every 8 feet. To measure the slope, tie a levelled string between two stakes. Then, measure the distance between the string and your trench floor.
- Fill your trench with a few inches of stone. We recommend ¾” crushed stone.
- Cover the stone with geotextile to help create a weed barrier at the bottom of your trench.
- Place your primary inlet at the point where water pools the most. From there, lay the pipe along the length of your trench.
- Backfill the trench with stone until you are a few inches below grade. From here you have two options:
- Wrap your geotextile over the top of your stones and fill the remaining few inches with dirt. Spread grass seed to make your French drain area blend in with your lawn.
- Wrap your geotextile over the top of your stones and fill the remaining few inches with stones that you intend to stay visible as a landscaping feature on your property.
- Regularly inspect and clean the inlet grate and outlet point. Flush debris when needed to keep the water flowing freely.
When you’re ready to get started on your French drain system, you can shop online to access technical information, or even place your order for pickup or delivery.
If you have questions, our team is always available via phone at (905) 386-1744 or email at sales@ontarioagra.ca to help with your research and make customized recommendations.
The Importance of French Drains & How to Install Them
Our three kit options are:
Small French drain Kit – ONE 100′ roll of perforated subdrain with a filter sock, a 4′ x 360′ roll of non-woven geotextile landscape fabric, 50 landscape pins, one end cap.
Medium French drain Kit – TWO 100′ rolls of perforated subdrain with a filter sock, a 4′ x 360′ roll of non-woven geotextile landscape fabric, 100 landscape pins, one end cap, one coupler.
Large French drain Kit – THREE 100′ rolls of perforated subdrain with a filter sock, a 4′ x 360′ roll of non-woven geotextile landscape fabric, 150 landscape pins, one end cap, two couplers.
Optional Add-ons include 100′ roll of solid subdrain, 100′ roll of perforated subdrain with a filter sock, couplers, tees, end caps, and a 6-hole distribution box. If you’re local to the Niagara area you can add 3/4″ crushed stone to your delivery as well.
