French drains can be a great way to direct rainwater runoff away from your foundation and septic system, but they require annual maintenance to keep them clear and working properly.
Clean Your French Drain. Should clean every 2 to 3 years. Using a Professional Drain Cleaning Machine, slowly send the cable up through the drain line. Feel the cable as you work. If you feel it binding up, back off a little but the cable does need to build up tension to cut any roots.
Just like other types of drains, they are susceptible to clogging over time. Ideally, clean the French drain once every year.
Many companies and blogs online state that french drains last from 10 years to 30 years. Again, I feel the longevity is directly related to the materials used and installation practices.
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.
Swales: A Natural Solution
They're a great option if you're looking for a more natural, eco-friendly alternative to French drains. A swale is typically lined with grass or vegetation that helps slow down and absorb water.
If you have a severe clog and can't get it cleared or if you don't want to risk damaging the pipe with a sewer snake, then you should hire a professional French drain company near you to clean it. The average cost for drain cleaning runs between $150 and $340, with an average price of $240.
A French drain costs $500 to $18,000, with a national average of $9,250. The type of drain and its length determine total cost.
Because the drainpipe is placed with the perforations down, the water can be absorbed by the soil as soon as it reaches an appropriate destination, or go to a dry well where it can dissipate.
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.
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.
Interior French drains are meant for waterproofing the basement or draining your crawl space. They cost more because contractors must tear out the basement floor (most often made of concrete), install the drain, and then repair it.
The easiest way to tell if your French drain is operating properly is to look at your lawn or basement. If there's water, chances are there could be a problem and your drain isn't working correctly. This issue could be due to clogging.
Cover with Gravel and Filter Fabric
Cover the pipe with about 3 inches of gravel or crushed stone, but not enough to cross above ground level. filter fabric over it for another layer of protection.
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.
If a foul odor emanates from the area, it is a sign that you must repair a French drain. When your drain is clogged or damaged, water can become stagnant and produce an unpleasant odor. A foul smell is typically an accumulation of leaves, dirt in the drain, or a broken pipe that allows sewage to leak into the gutter.
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.
Clogging and Blockages
Clogging is one of the leading causes of French drain failure, often due to root intrusion or sediment build-up.
Your French drain will not need much maintenance. It is like an underground element of your gutter system, protected by a layer of gravel so that the drain will only need to be cleaned out once a year.
Disadvantages of French Drains
Another disadvantage of French drains is their potential to attract tree roots. The gravel or rock used in the system can provide a water source for trees, leading to the origins invading the drain. This can cause blockages and damage to the system.
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years.
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.
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.
Roto-Rooter's most popular service is clearing sewer lines using an auger strong enough to cut through tree roots. This service typically costs $400 to $600. Unclogging a branch line, or plumbing within the home, costs $350 to $500 on average. The technician uses a smaller auger to snake a drain in your home.
Connect with local French drain experts to help with your project. Installing a French drain yourself is possible but labor-intensive and time-consuming. Call 811 a week or two before you start your project to get your buried utility lines marked.