They work in all seasons and usually don't suffer from issues such as frozen obstructions caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.
One can be easily installed and will immediately eliminate the worry of water seeping into the basement or ruining the foundation of a home. And while one usually doesn't think about doing yard work in the winter, installing a French drain during the winter months has its advantages.
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.
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.
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.
French drains are best suited for properties with moderate to severe water drainage issues, particularly in areas with heavy rain or poor soil drainage.
Tip #3: Place French drain below the frost line.
A properly installed French drain will begin at the depth of the base of the perimeter beam and is installed with a 1% minimum slope (1 inch in 8 feet). This is usually below the frost line.
In summary, underground PVC pipes are indeed likely to freeze in cold environments, especially when buried too shallowly, the soil is moist, or the outside temperature is too low.
Just like other types of drains, they are susceptible to clogging over time. Ideally, clean the French drain once every year.
A French drain has a typical lifespan of 20 to 30 years, although this can vary depending on the quality of the installation and surrounding conditions. Regular maintenance and the materials used, such as PVC or crushed stone, play an important role in prolonging its lifespan.
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.
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.
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.
Clogged drains become more common during the colder months as cold temperatures cause pipes to contract, making them more prone to clogs from debris and buildup. Grease and fats solidify faster in cold water, sticking to pipe walls, while hair, soap scum, and other waste also accumulate more easily.
To prevent this, clean out and snake the French drain once a year. Whether you're performing interior French drain maintenance, basement French drain cleanout, or exterior French drain maintenance, you'll need an electric sewer snake. You can easily rent one if you don't want to buy it.
PEX is flexible and performs better in freezing conditions than rigid pipes like copper, PVC and CPVC. These other pipes are more at risk of the water freezing in them, making them susceptible to weakening and bursting.
Install Proper Slope in the Underground Pipe
Drain Water Quickly : The faster water moves through the pipe and out to the intended discharge location, the less likely that water is to freeze within the drainage system.
PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, has a chemical structure that gives it flexibility to withstand pressure increases and perform better in the winter. If water freezes in the pipe, for example, PEX will expand to accommodate the change.
FAQ about French drains for cold climates
No, it's not advisable to install a French drain in frozen ground as it can be difficult to excavate and may result in an improperly installed system.
Make sure you excavate the correct pitch (or slope) of your French Drain installation so that water drains into a sump, catch basin, or other drainage feature. There should be a 1-foot drop (sloping downward) for every 100 feet of pipe.
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.
8 cons of French drains
May require regular maintenance. Care must be taken not to hit utility lines when digging for installation. Installing them may involve digging up your yard or even pavement. If the pipe gets clogged, it can be difficult to find and fix the problem area on your own.
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.