Because digging the trench can be difficult work on your own, get friends and family to help if possible. Once the trench is complete, installing a French drain is a straightforward process.
Yes of course you can DIY it. Like most landscaping things, it's not particularly difficult or requires a bunch of skill, it's just tons of labor. The mechanism of how a french drain works is very simple, and as long as you can keep your pipe sloped 1'' for every 10'' of pipe it'll work fine.
The actual installation is easy. All you need to do is lay the pipe on top of the gravel bedding with the holes facing the ground to reduce the risk of the top layer of stone and soil causing clogs. Some pipes have holes on all sides to allow more water in. What kind of pipe should you use for a French drain?
Weeping tile is prone to clogging over time, and may require expensive excavation to correct. French drains that become clogged may overflow without warning and cause damage, such as flooding in yards and basements. Existing structures may need to be removed if a French drain must be excavated.
Installing a French drain costs $500 to $18,000, with a national average of $9,250. On average, you can expect to pay $10 to $100 per linear foot, or between $500 and $5,000 to have a 50-foot French drain installed.
An alternative to the French drain, the NDS EZ-Drain installs without gravel, saving a lot of time and money. EZ-Drain bundles consist of fabric, lightweight gravel substitute, and pipe. It's like an entire yard drainage system, bundled neatly together.
French drain installation is a service offered by a diverse range of professionals from landscapers to plumbers to foundation specialists. These professionals bring a varied skill set to the project, often integrating the drainage system seamlessly with other landscaping or construction work.
Clay soil has poor permeability, meaning it doesn't allow water to pass through easily. In such cases, the effectiveness of a French drain may be limited as the water may struggle to drain away from the area efficiently. French drains may not be suitable for areas with high water tables.
With stormwater, most likely, your drainage systems would fall under land improvements. Stormwater best management practices such as french drains, downspouts and gutter systems, bioswales, and dry wells could qualify as depreciable assets.
How long does a French drain last? A French drain should last at least 10 years, although it often has a lifespan of three or four decades when properly maintained. Sometimes sand or silt infiltrates the pipe over time, making it eventually useless.
Landscapers have the expertise to work the French drain installation into your existing landscape design, ensuring it not only functions well but also doesn't interfere with your yard's aesthetics.
If installing the drain involves diverting a stream or affecting a wetland, you likely need a permit to move forward. Generally, a small French drain on your property that doesn't change the flow of runoff entering and exiting your yard won't need a permit.
Trench drains are beneficial for controlling floor water earlier than they can saturate the floor. In contrast, French drains seize and ship groundwater and surface water from a unique area to a septic tank or fantastic drainage device. If you are concerned about water on the surface, a trench drain is possible.
French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.
Efficient Water Management
Preventing Basement Flooding: French drains, particularly exterior French drains, are excellent at keeping basements dry by channeling water away from the foundation before it can seep inside. This can significantly reduce the risk of basement flooding and the associated costly repairs.
A French drain needs to be surrounded by gravel in order to filter out silt and prevent clogging the drain pipe.
French drains are an invaluable asset for any homeowner. Their effectiveness in managing water, preventing erosion, protecting homes, and increasing property value make them a worthwhile investment.
WATER AND SEWER CHARGES ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS PROPERTY TAXES.
Can you write off home improvements on taxes? Usually, no. However, your home improvements could lower your capital gains tax when you sell if they are classified as "capital improvements." Capital improvements must add longstanding value to your home, extend its useful life, or adapt it to new use.
Distance from Foundation
A general rule of thumb is that a french drain should be installed around three feet away from the foundation of a home, but this can vary depending on individual landscaping factors such as where the water is pooling and where gutters are already aligned.
Dry wells are another effective alternative to French drains, particularly for properties with poor drainage. A dry well is essentially an underground chamber that collects and temporarily stores runoff water, allowing it to seep into the surrounding soil gradually.
Landscapers commonly install French drains to solve water problems in the yard. A basement waterproofing company or one of the best foundation repair companies (such as Basement Systems or Olshan) can tackle drainage problems around the home's perimeter.
French drains (aka weeping tile, perimeter drains, agricultural drains, and rock drains) are an easy-to-install solution for your drainage problems. Clients pay an average price of $5,000 to have a French drain installed professionally, with most homeowners paying $1,650 – $12,250.
A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.