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.
Replace plastic drains with metal drains. Galvanized steel metal drains used for channel drains and grates are less likely to be impacted by freezing temperatures or expanding water and sustain damage over the winter. Galvanized steel holds up better than plastics in these conditions, as the material is stronger.
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.
The best way to prevent freezing is to put straw over the drain field and the pump station pipe.
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.
To get the proper function out of French drains, the trench must be lined with drainage fabric. This material prevents clogs by keeping dirt and debris from seeping into the system through the ground.
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 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.
Fill the trench with topsoil and compact to completely cover the entire French drain system.
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.
Just like other types of drains, they are susceptible to clogging over time. Ideally, clean the French drain once every year.
The trench collapse due to heavy weight or pressure from above, such as from vehicles or construction, can damage the pipe and disrupt the water flow. Regular monitoring and addressing these factors early on can help to ensure that your French drain remains a reliable part of your landscape drainage system.
In many cases, it will be recommended that the pipe release the excess water into the street. It will then travel to sewer drains and will be drained away in the city system. However, that is not always applicable for every yard. In some cases, the street may be much too far for it to be an option.
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.
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.
There are some things you should never do to try to fix a frozen system: Do not add antifreeze, salt, or a septic system additive into the system.
Look for areas that stay wet, water standing on the surface and grass greening up earlier than other areas. These symptoms can indicate a problem in the drainfield or the piping to the system. It could be a sign of freezing that didn't appear during the winter months. Take a walk around your system.
Pour antifreeze into all shower, tub, floor, and sink drains — basically, any fixture with a trap. This will ensure water in the traps will not freeze while preventing evaporation and maintaining the trap seal.