French Drain Contractor, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Yukon, Sprinkler Repair

Drainage System Installation in Oklahoma City

 

 

French Drain Pipe running to curb outlet in Oklahoma City.

 

 

 

 

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman

 

In the past 20 years, we have installed many types of drains in a wide variety of places.

French Drains Installed: 1.   in back yards

2.   along foundations of houses

3.   under houses

4.   in flowerbeds

5.   behind retaining walls

6.   under pool decks

7.   along the side of driveways

8.   between commercial buildings

9.   on the edge of tennis and basketball courts

10.  in front yards

Surface Drains Installed 1.  in back yards

2.   in basements with sump/pumps

3.   in driveways set in cement

4.   in flowerbeds

5.   in pool decks set in cement

6.   in sidewalks set in cement

7.   along the sides of houses

8.   in front yards

Since 1993 we have gained a lot of experience addressing drainage problems.  Drainage problems can be complicated.  The solution is not always clear to the untrained eye.  We have redone or overhauled many drainage systems that were installed by, “weekend warriors, somebodies brother-in-law, or a landscaping companies that also installs drains.”

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair takes into account many things when performing a ,” Drainage Diagnostic.”

We consider how many sources are providing water to the problem.  Usually there are more than one.

We consider the type of soil on the property.  A French Drain in a sandy yard is installed differently than one in a yard with a clay base.

We consider how many exit points are available and will install at least two when possible.

Sprinkler Repair *** French Drains*** Sprinkler Adjustment *** Surface Drains *** Sump Pumps  *** Drainage Systems *** 

Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair – Now Servicing all of Western Oklahoma Including Lawton, Altus, Duncan and Elk City.  We have provided service for Central Oklahoma since 1993.

We solve all types of drainage problems and standing water issues for home or business.  If you have water in your basement or standing on your driveway, we can help.  Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair installs many types of Drains including French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains.  If water is a problem. If it gets into a place that your don’t want in or around your home or Business, give us a call.  Since 1993 we have installed over 2000 French Drains, or Drainage Systems.

Expert Lawn Sprinkler Repair is also a service we provide.  Sprinkler Valves, Sprinkler Heads, Sprinkler Controllers, Leaks, Wiring, We service it all.

 

French Drain Running Through Low Areas

WHAT SIZE DRAIN PIPE FOR FRENCH DRAINS?

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can utilize  several types and sizes of French Drain Pipe.  An older type that is not commonly used any more is 4 inch PVC Pipe with large half inch holes drilled in the Pipe.  This doesn’t work very well,   Because the holes are too large and the number of holes in the French Drain Pipe are too few.  Also there is no filter or “Soc” around this particular French Drain Pipe.  If it is used in sandy or loose soil the holes will clog and the pipe will fill up with sand.  PVC French Drain Pipe should be avoided.

ADS French Drain Pipe is much better, the holes are smaller and much more numerous.  It also comes inside a soc that acts as a filter and helps keep sand and debris out of the French Drain Pipe.  It works very well.

 

Connecting Gutter into French Drain System

 

 

French Drain Pipe running to curb outlet in Oklahoma City.

 

 

Drainage System Installation in Norman

 

The sprinkler controller seen below was installed in east Norman in 2007.

Sprinkler Controller

 

Lawn Sprinkler Repair is one of our business focuses.   We can help with:

1. Sprinkler Controller Problems

2. Leaking Back-Flow Valves

3. Leaking Sprinkler Pipes

4.  Shorted or disconnected valve wires

5. Sprinkler Zones or Sprinkler Stations that won’t work

6. Broken Sprinkler Heads

The above are the most common problems that we deal with.

– can help if you need to re-design your sprinkler system. If for example you are adding a swimming pool in your back yard, we can move the sprinkler heads and sprinkler pipes to fit the new dimensions of your yard. We can redesign or add-on to sprinkler systems where the home owners needs change.

– Adjustment of  a Sprinkler System is a necessary part of owning and operating an Irrigation System.  Sprinkler Heads get run over by cars or get knocked out of adjustment by weed-eaters. Sprinkler Heads need to be moved or adjusted for many reasons.  If your Sprinklers are not putting water where it needs to go, give us a call.

Just what is a “French Drain?”  Many times people incorrectly

use the phrase, “French Drain,”  to apply to many different types of Drains that could be used in a Drainage System.  The term is widely used and many times incorrectly connected to “Surface Drains,” or “Channel Drains.”

A Surface Drain has a grate that sits on top of a basin.  The basin is underground.  A Drain Pipe is connected underground to an outlet on the Drain Basin.  Storm-Water Drains through the grate into the Drain Basin.  Once in the Drain Basin, water travels out of the basin through a Drain Pipe.  The Storm-Water continues downhill in an underground Drain Pipe to an exit point.

THIS IS NOT A FRENCH DRAIN!

A Surface Drain may come in many different shapes or sizes.  The Drain Grate may be round or square.  Here is a picture of a common Surface Drain.

Surface Drain and Drain Pipe

A Channel Drain is a type of Surface Drain and many times is installed in concrete across sidewalks or driveways.

Channel Drain

A French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged.

The dirt that was taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drain Pipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

French Drain 

A French Drain is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts connected to it.

The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren’t very pretty.  They don’t look very nice in a yard once they are completed.

Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the lime stone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is Ok.  It won’t have a measurable effect on the performance of the drain.

DONT COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON’T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON’T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.

DECORATIVE STONE CAN BE USED TO COVER A FRENCH DRAIN AND THEY LOOK GREAT AND LAST A LIFETIME.

French Drains Can Look Great!