Defeat Soggy Soil: The Underestimated Factor in Effective French Drain Installation
French drains – valiant allies in the battle against waterlogged yards. Yet, a subtle oversight can undermine their effectiveness: premature site grading. While alluring in its logic, leveling before draining often leads to a frustrating game of catch-up with shifting low spots.
This video sheds light on a counterintuitive but critically important approach: embrace the dips. Leverage existing low areas as natural catchment basins for your French drain system. Strategically placed trenches become thirsty guardians, drawing water in with the irresistible lure of gravity and perforated pipe. The result? Water funneled efficiently, not chased fruitlessly, transforming your swamp into a verdant haven.
Why this approach reigns supreme:
Enhanced Efficiency: Well-positioned drains capture more water, minimizing rogue puddles and maximizing drainage efficacy.
Time and Cost Optimization: Avoid unnecessary excavation and grading. Let gravity guide water to the drain, saving both precious time and hard-earned resources.
Sustainable Strategy: Embrace existing topography. This environmentally friendly approach minimizes landscape disruption and conserves resources.
But a well-placed drain is just the first act. Watch the full video for a comprehensive guide to French drain installation: from strategic placement and trench excavation to pipe selection and backfilling techniques. Equip yourself with the knowledge to unlock the power of existing dips and transform your soggy battlefield into a flourishing domain.
Click the link below and embark on your journey to conquer waterlogged soil, one strategic French drain at a time!
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French Drain Man – Michigan’s Yard Water Drainage Experts. Masters in the art of constructing contained French drain systems & curtain drain systems that and fix your yard drainage problems for years to come. Over 30 years’ experience in solving yard water drainage problems in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair Counties.
French Drain Man / Sherwood Landscape Construction, LLC
P.O. Box 777
Almont, MI 48003
248-505-3065
https://www.frenchdrainman.com
http://www.macombcountylandscaping.com
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drainage dilemmas everyone gets them today’s question courtesy of a dedicated subscriber tackles a crucial prioritization point should I fix the uneven grade before installing my French drain unleveled terrain often leads to water pooling prompting the urge to rectify the grade first however this approach can lead to unintended consequences attempting to level every low point before drainage is akin to chasing water around your yard in a NeverEnding game of catchup you’ll expend significant time and resources with less than optimal results instead consider a strategic approach look at those dips As Natural collection points ideal for intercepting water with strategically placed French drains think of them as efficient entry points for your drainage system not obstacles to overcome by focusing on proper drain placement and installation you leverage existing low spots to your advantage remember prioritize water removal over minor grade discrepancies
18 Comments
Thank you ! I’ve been struggling with this dilemma for a bit now and thankful of your content .
How deep is “to deep”when trenching
Cheers! I've just dug out perimeter + one horizontal channel in my garden.
Ran the hose from the highest point, water exited where I planned.
First time for me. Your videos have been extremely helpful for a total novice.
I didn't think you liked catch basins/exposed drains like that. What made you change your mind?
How do i plan on location of catch basins in my backyard
Where can I get those surface drains that fit on the French drain pipe out west I’ve never seen those ? I build my drains just like yours as I learned by watching your videos few years ago they work amazingly .. thank you for sharing your knowledge,experience, and expertise.
my specialty is I build
Them under horse arenas and they work great 👍🏼 I dig a 18” trench out the needle punch no woven as you say then I use 1.25” Gravel burrito rap. Then a 4” base of same gravel on entre arena then 4” of 3/8” pebble DG and 6” of triple washed sand . My customers love it they can ride as soon as the rain stops as there’s no puddles … I use the black 4” Knife cut is all I can find out here but works great 👍🏼 Again thank you
How can I get in contact with you sir
Adjust the grade so that water drains on someone else’s property. Problem solved!
How to calculate needed slope? I have a couple low areas by the foundation and not sure how far from the house I would need to run a drain to get it to flow as the yard is a bit higher away from the house.
The Federal govt will classify that area a 'wetland' and file a suit against you to make you put it back. Huge fine. You think not, really read the Clean Waters Act
Just make a pond
Do you do any work in CT?
Absolutely this! After you chase the water around your yard you end up spending more money and pissing off your neighbors, possibly to the point they get city officials involved. Put the pipe in and you'll probably help drain the neighbors yard aswell.
So you can pay him to put in a drain or just slope the yard… slope the yard!
Why’d you use video from @nononsenseknowhow ?
Call that moving mudholes!!
perfect video. I'm in this same situation with water coming into my Basement during heavy storms
I need someone lime you on the east coast. Do you partner with any companies?
I would add, as you consider where to place your French drains, also consider any future landscaping you might want to do (don't forget to include the spouse in the discussion). Last thing you want is to trench a line where your wife wanted a hedge row.