How Does a French Drain Work?

French drains are a common solution to yard drainage problems. But, not all french drains are created equally. How do they work?

Here are some specific details we pay attention to when installing french drains, or trench drains. We'll also explain how they work to solve your drainage problems.

M2 Landscaping
[phone]
Rockford, IL

[stopcogovernance]

Thanks so much. Great simple and clear video. Brilliant!

[beckychafin]

I have a better understanding now - thank you!!

[mblankenship]

The pipe needs to ve in the bottom, at the bottom of the trench, on top of the geotextile fabric.

[teacherlynn]

Great video and informative and never got bored. My neighbor has a leak they won’t fix and the city won’t help. My question is I have a 3” pipe that runs under the area I need fixed and it goes to the street though the curb and is used for pool deck and backyard drainage. How would I tie into it to take the water away from the side of my house? Other than drains in the backyard there are no openings in the pipe but it travels directly under the bad area. Do you have a video on that? Again great job!!!

[anthonyvargas]

Used the video as a reference for my client.

[regalia_usa]

straight to the point and clear, thanks!

[nedcramdon]

Great video! I was wondering about frost heave. Shouldn't be an issue if the pipe is pitched properly?

[josevillanueva]

How is it and why is it that the water travels from the native soil pn the outside of the trench, into the trench and then finally into the perforated pvc pipe?

[kolankprof]

Thanks for sharing your expertise on this topic. Could you please enable the SAVE feature, so I can save your video to my library. Thanks!

[sparekeiv]

1. DON'T USE PVC PIPE! Use 8-slot high-density polyethylene pipe. The only pipe you should ever use for french drain.
2. Place the pipe at the BOTTOM of the trench. There is no need to have several of inches of stone below the pipe. Not placing the pipe at the bottom will cause water to pond at the bottom of the trench and will attract tree roots, which will eventually destroy the entire system.

[thomastessier]

What slope would you recommend for a French Drain? Is 2% (like wastewater) sufficient or should you increase the slope?

[yj]

Hey there mate, i have installed a 1000 feet long PVC french drain without geo textile. Everything is working great and the water is coming out clear as well. But inbetween the line the water is pooling for about 80 feet or so! But at the both end it is very much dry. I don't know what to make/think of it. Your input would be of great help

[FooFahFoeFum]

When the 6" or 8 inch french drain pipe gets filled, where and how does the excess water is it empties if all your surroundings are level.... I presume the french drain is mostly horizontal .

[wonderfact]

Hole should be on bottom?not on top? I saw some on top, may be both.

[jimskenadore]

Aren't there 2 holes on each sides not directly on the bottom of the pipe but at 5 and 7 o'clock?

[nugge]

Great illustration!! Does this mean there will always be water in the drain below the level of the PVC pipe?

[GotEmAll]

I'm not an expert but the consensus appears to be: the pipe needs to be at the very bottom, in direct contact with the fabric

[nirynrei]

Does french drain had vertical pvc or all in horizontal lay out

[mre.r.]

my problem too is where will ge have the exit point for this drain lol should I point it to my neighbor side

[allanhughes]

What is geotextyle ??? sorry if I am a thiko but never heard of it