Permits Needed to Install a French Drain 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. Major projects that warrant your French drain to discharge into a municipal sewer or roadside ditch, however, do require one.
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.
You do not usually need to apply for planning permission for repairs or maintenance on drainpipes, drains and sewers. Although the work itself may not require planning permission you should clarify ownership and responsibility before modifying or carrying out maintenance.
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.
In general, a French drain placed 1-3 feet away from and parallel to the foundation will work great, and reduce the risk of foundation issues tremendously. However, if moisture is coming up through the floor (meaning water is seeping down and around the foundation) the solution may change.
Permits Needed to Install a French Drain
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. Major projects that warrant your French drain to discharge into a municipal sewer or roadside ditch, however, do require one.
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.
Once you start digging your drain depth will need to be anywhere from eight inches to two feet, depending on your needs and available options. Measure the grading. This process begins by pounding two stakes into the ground to mark the dimensions of the trench.
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.
The ideal location for a French drain depends on your specific drainage issues. For foundation problems, the drain should be installed along the perimeter of your home, typically at the base of the foundation.
You must get a build over agreement before starting any construction work. Retrospective agreements may not be approved if our pipework was not properly protected, as per our specifications. Without an agreement, you may have issues selling your property later.
Connections to a public sewer are called direct connections. If you want to connect to a private drain, you will also need to obtain permission from the drainage owner. Connections to a private drain are called indirect connections. Moving a public manhole is called manhole relocation.
A drainage system costs $10 to $25 per linear foot or $1,000 to $4,000 for exterior yard and landscape applications, and $40 to $85 per linear foot or $4,000 to $12,000 for a basement or interior perimeter drain. An exterior footing or drain tile installation costs $6,000 to $15,000.
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.
Yes, you should wrap the French drain's gravel-filled trench with a permeable filter fabric. This fabric helps to prevent soil and debris from clogging the drain while still allowing water to enter the system.
By preventing water damage and maintaining a healthy landscape, French drains can reduce long-term maintenance costs. This is a valuable selling point for potential buyers, making your property more attractive and potentially increasing its resale value.
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.
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.
In total, the cost to install a French drain on a residential property should be between $20 and $50 per linear foot, or $2,000 to $5,000 on average for a 100-foot drain. This cost would include the French drain materials, labor, and excavation.
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn't require an inlet on just one end either. You can construct the drain to accept water along its length, and disperse it underground.
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.
Aside from what we've listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.
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.
The optimally installed French drain does not necessarily need an end point. Ideally, as the excess water from one area runs down the drain, it will be distributed more evenly across your yard and absorbed.