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Oklahoma City French Drain Help, Norman, Moore
Harsh weather in Oklahoma seems to becoming more common. In 2013, Norman Oklahoma had 4 inches of rain in two hours. That’s the most rain in a short time that I can remember. Storm-Water runoff can cause damage to all types of property and buildings. Water getting inside your house is never a good thing. A Drainage System that utilizes a French Drain can help.
Oklahoma Drainage Installs 4 Inch and 6 French Drains.
A French Drain is the “Intake” part of a Drainage System. Simply Put, the French Drain is the part of the Drainage System that takes in the water in the low areas and gets it into the pipe.
French Drain – A French Drain is a perforated pipe that is basically full of slits or holes. A trench is dug across the problem drainage area. A Semi-permeable liner is placed in the trench which lets in water but not dirt. The dirt from the trench is hauled away. The French Drain Pipe has a Neo-Preen Soc around it witch also lets in water but keeps the dirt out.
The perforated pipe is placed in the trench. The Drainage trench is dug deep enough so that the perforated French Drain Pipe is several inches below ground level when placed in the trench. Next gravel or some type of crushed stone is placed on top and around the French Drain perforated pipe until the trench is full.
French Drains can be complex or simple. A Simple French Drain System is a French Drain Connected to an Exit Drain Pipe that is released out a pop up emitter.
An example of a complex drainage system would be: A French Drain in the back yard connected to a Surface Drain near a flower bed connected to several gutter downspouts, which are connected to a Channel Drain going across a driveway, which is connected to additional Surface Drain in the front yard, which runs to a Curb Fitting that lets all the water drain out on to the street.
Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore French Drain, Channel Drain
French Drain Installation— French Drains are designed to do a lot of things. If you have an area that has unwanted water standing in it or running across it. A French Drain can be the answer.
A French Drain is a trench that runs across the Drainage Problem Area. A French Drain Pipe is placed in the bottom of the trench. The French Drain Pipe is perforated with thousands of small holes. In most cases the Drain Pipe has a nylon soc around the pipe to act as a filter for the French Drain. The French Drain trench is then filled with some type of small rock or stone. We typically use crushed 1 inch Lime Stone to cover the French Drain Pipe. The dirt that was dug out of the trench is taken away or spread out around the French Drain. The Lime Stone replaces the dirt and fills the French Drain Trench all the way to the surface.
The Drainage part of our company name means that we solve water problems for people in Oklahoma. Heavy rain is becoming more common. Back in 1993 when I first started, a hard rain was considered to be about an Inch per/hour. It was fairly rare but not too uncommon. Today things are different. A weather report of rain fall at or above 4 inches per/hour was not uncommon in 2019. Excess water causes all types of damage to property both residential and commercial.
Our Drainage Systems drain water away from places you don’t want it to be. You might have water standing along the foundation of your house, or inside your basement. You might have water on your driveway or flowerbed too.
Designing a French Drain or a Drainage System
When I talk to a potential customer while doing a Drainage System estimate, I take a lot of things into consideration. First I have the Customer show me where water is standing or where it is going that it shouldn’t. This is part of defining the specific problem area. Sometimes the Water Problem Area is larger and more involved than the customer realizes. Once the Water Problem Area is clearly defined, the next step is to determine how the water is getting to the problem area. Many times there is more than one Water Source to the Water Problem area. A big mistake in Drainage System Design is to stop once the most obvious Water Source is found. A Drainage System Designer must be a detective to some degree. For Example: Water running down the hill and onto the back patio might be the most obvious water source. Sub-surface water or a neighbor’s new gutter downspout could also be contributing. Most of the time water gets into the problem area from more than one source.
Oklahoma Drainage has been installing French Drains since 1993. We also install Fescue Sod and Bermuda Sod by the pallet as well. A pallet of sod will cover about 450 square feet.
Oklahoma Drainage also installs Surface Drains of all kinds including Channel Drains in Driveways or 12 inch, 9 inch, and 6 inch Drain basins in yards and sidewalks and along driveways.
Sorry I got sidetracked. Back to talking about French Drains. French Drains keep water off of Foundations, Sidewalks, and Driveways.
THREE BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN WHEN WATER SITS AGAINST CONCRETE.
- Concrete can break down and deteriorate from temperature change when the water freezes and thaws. Lots of cracks can occur.
- Concrete can be de-stabilized. Supporting soil can be washed away or removed.
- Mold!!! Yikes!! Mold needs water. Water against a foundation or saturating it is definitely a risk for mold to occur. Mold development can be a very small issue or it can be a Huge Problem. If Black Sludge starts to appear on top of ground near a foundation, action should be taken. I have seen extreme mold situations where a home had to be condemned. Again, this is very rare, but it does happen to good people.
In the pictures below, water was running across the walkway and into the pool every time it rained hard. We pulled up the necessary stones on the side that the water was coming from and put a French Drain underneath. A trench liner was utilized as well as a filter around the perforated French Drain Pipe.
Before
After
French Drains can be decorative and be made to look nice. As shown above, they can be placed under walk ways or had designer stones placed on the gravel that fills the French Drain Trench.
Covering a French Drain with dirt is a bad idea. Water can’t get into the drain through the stones if it is clogged with dirt. If you are more concerned about how it looks over what it does, then don’t install it in the first place. French drains can move a lot of water and protect property such as foundations, sidewalks, plants, yards just to mention a few things. If you don’t like how a French Drain looks then change it. Put Stepping stones on top of it, use river rock to improve the look, You are limited only by your own creativity.
French Drain Installed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond and most all of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Drainage — 405 203 9419
FRENCH DRAIN, SURFACE DRAIN, PHOTOS AND INFORMATION
Standing water can cause many types of property damage ranging from foundation problems to cracked sidewalks and dead plants and shrubs. If you have need of French Drain or Surface Drain, give us a call. We provide free estimates for all of central and western Oklahoma.
Some Drainage Systems are complex and incorporate several types of drains. Most Drainage Systems , however are basic and require just one type of Drain. Oklahoma Drainage installs a variety of drains to solve a variety of problems. French Drains, Surface Drains, and Channel Drains are most commonly used. If you live in Edmond and need a Channel Drain installed across your driveway, or if you live in Norman and need a French Drain in your backyard, or if you live in Oklahoma City and need a Surface drain installed next to your sidewalk, we can help.
Channel Drains are one kind of Surface Drain that we install in concrete.
The most common Drain that we install is the French Drain. This is because the French Drain is versatile. It can handle Surface Water Problems or Underground Water Problems (sub-surface). A huge mistake that many people make is assuming that water gets to a Problem Drainage Area by flowing over the surface only. For example, if water is flowing down hill underground toward your home’s foundation, the only way to stop or intercept it is with a French Drain. Water can flow laterally into a perforated French Drain Pipe. It is then diverted away from the Problem Drainage Area to an Exit Point.
Pop Up Emitters can release water from Surface Drains or French Drains. They can release water on to sidewalks or driveways, or out in the middle of yards.
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. A Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil. 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. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drain Pipe that is being used. There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe. Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe. The dirt that is 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.
When we run Drain Pipe across yards to an Exit Point, the sod usually can be put back into place and in a few days you can’t tell a French Drain was ever Installed.
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 French Drain. In some cases thick grass growing up through the French Drain will create a natural “Thatch” filter. This makes the French Drain invisible. The trick is to allow the grass to grow over the French Drain Gravel without covering it up with dirt. Grasses such as Bermuda which grow well in the sun will put out runners and new roots and will grow up and through the French Drain. This will not affect the performance of the French Drain. The problem is that some times depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain. Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.
DON’T 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.
If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:
Do you know what a French Drain is?
Oklahoma City has been Installing French Drains for a long time. We started in 1993 so that makes 2024 our 31st year. We have installed French Drains in Oklahoma City, Moore, Yukon and Mustang, not to mention virtually every other town in Central or Western Oklahoma.
Still many people incorrectly mistake a “Surface Drain,” for a “French Drain.” They are not the same thing.
This is not a French Drain!
The Picture Below is Not a French Drain Either.
Channel Drains are one type of Surface Drain. A Surface Drain Is any type of drain that takes water in the top (Surface). They have a Grate on top.
Below is a picture of a Surface Drain that many people will tend to call a “French Drain.”
A French Drain is a Perforated Drain Pipe with thousands of small holes in it. It is placed in the bottom of a Drainage Trench that has been dug by the installer of the French Drain. It should be placed on top of a Trench Liner which is placed first in the Drainage Trench.
The French Drain Pipe has a cloth filter around the pipe as well.
with trench liner and pipe filter
Once this is done correctly, The trench is filled with gravel of some type. We use Crushed 67 grade Lime Stone. The empty space from the top of the pipe to ground level is filled. THE DEPTH OF EVERY FRENCH DRAIN TRENCH VARIES. What Determines the depth can depend on several things. But for now just know that some French Drains are Shallow while others are Deep. The Deeper the Drainage Trench, the more gravel it takes to fill it.
In the Picture above you can see the water stains on the concrete. Water has been standing there a long time to make those types of stains. Eventually the grass will completely grow over the lime stone gravel. Note! Dirt should never be placed on top of a French Drain. In sunny areas, grass will put out runners and grow over the limestone gravel. Once covered it creates a Natural Filter called a Thatch Filter. The French Drain continues to work great and you don’t even know its there.
I have installed French Drains all the way back to 1993 that still work great with no maintenance.
In the picture above, you can see that the grass is growing over the French Drain more slowly in the shaded area by the trash cans. This can be sped up by sprinkling grass seed directly into the gravel.
French Drains in Full or Partial Shade, can be decorated instead of letting grass grow over them.
Channel Drain Installation, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman
Oklahoma Drainage has been installing Channel Drains in Oklahoma City, Norman, and Edmond for 31 Years. We service all of Central and Western Oklahoma.
Channel Drains look great around a pool or across a sidewalk or driveway. They are a type of “Surface Drain,” that is long and narrow like a gutter. Most of the time, Channel Drains are set in concrete.
Sometimes people need new drains installed near their pool set in concrete. The old drain may not work any more or there may be a low area that needs one. The old drains may be too small or they may be clogged. Many times it is difficult to unclog a pool drain. The only solution is to cut out the old drain and put in a new one.
We put Duct Tape on the Channel Drain before pouring concrete around it. Channel Drains are one type of Drain used around pools.
Channel Drains can also be installed across Driveways and Sidewalks.
French Drain Mistakes, French Drain Problems, French Drain Performance
My Name is Blane Callen. I have owned and operated Oklahoma Drainage LLC since 1993. Oklahoma Drainage has installed over 4000 Drainage Systems during that time.
Below, I have put together some French Drain Information that may prove helpful if you need a French Drain or a Drainage System.
French Drain Mistakes are very common and unfortunate. Mistakes are caused by many different reasons. One or several mistakes can cause a New French Drain to perform poorly, or not at all. Time and money are wasted. People with Water Damage need to have their drainage system work correctly and last a long time.
People who have need for French Drain Installation are highly motivated. Unwanted water in your AC Floor Ducts for example, motivates folks to do something quickly.
Cracking Driveways and Foundations from Water Damage is also an “ATTENTION GETTER.”
In the picture below, look at the water stains on the Driveway. A correctly installed 6 Inch French Drain has solved the Standing Water Problem. The driveway will stay dry and last.
French Drain Versatility is a wonderful thing. Correct French Drain Installation solves a wide variety of water drainage problems.
Still Mistakes Are Made.
To Start, The Biggest French Drain Mistake is Unqualified Drainage Diagnosis. This is taking bad advice from someone who really doesn’t know. Bad advice leads to a Drainage System that performs poorly or won’t work at all. This Obviously, Occurs all the time in today’s world, whether It be French Drain Diagnosis or Auto Repair or any other contract work you might want done.
Additional mistakes that relate to Unqualified Drainage Diagnosis are:
1. Selecting a Drainage Contractor that can’t provide good current References.
2. Selecting a Drainage Contractor that has been in business less than 5 years.
3. Selecting a Drainage Contractor that doesn’t specialize in French Drain Installation.
4. Selecting a Drainage Contractor Who needs money up front.
In Review, If you have a French Drain Contractor who needs money up front to begin work, or is also good at landscaping or pushing a lawn mower, then you should RUN! You need References! You need to know how long they have been in business.
The Second Most Common French Drain Mistake Is NOT DECIDING if a French Drain should be a part of a “Drainage System,” or a “Flood Prevention System. You need to understand the difference between the two and choose one. A French Drain Expert can help you make that decision. A French Drain can be a part of A Drainage System or a part of a Flood Prevention System.
A Drainage System drains water away from a Water Problem Area over time.
A Flood Prevention System prevents water from ever getting into the Problem Drainage Area in the first place.
Flood Prevention Systems Intercept Surface Water and Sub-Surface water at the same time. The pipes are larger and more robust than the pipes in a Drainage System. Flood Prevention Systems are more expensive and harder to install as well.
The Third mistake that is made with a French Drain being installed is lack of a Trench Liner or Pipe Filter being used. The Trench Liner maintains the integrity of the Drainage Trench and keeps the Gravel or Crushed Stone that is used clean.
The Pipe Filter keeps Debris out of the French Drain Pipe.
Both of these things ensures longevity and functionality of a French Drain. I have Installed French Drains all the way back to 1993 that still work great!
The 4th mistake with a French Drain Installation is ,” Not Setting The Fall of the French Drain.” “Setting The Fall,” is a process that makes sure that water flows through the French Drain Trench a Constant Speed. French Drains always cross ground that is irregular. They cross humps and low areas. This process is done by French Drain Professionals or Individuals who are accomplished and understand the two ways that “Fall may be set.”
“Bad Fall,” For a French Drain means that water will stand in several low areas of the French Drain underground once the French Drain has finished draining. You want all the water to drain out of the French Drain Pipe. By looking at the French Drain on the surface, once it is complete, you wont be able to tell if some of the Drainage Water Stayed inside the French Drain. Everything will look OK, but it wont be. If any tree is near by, the tree roots will seek out the water that is left in a french drain and attack the French Drain Pipe causing damage. Soon the French Drain will quit working. Tree roots won’t attack a French Drain if it is empty!
Moore Oklahoma French Drain, Blanchard Oklahoma French Drain
Do you have standing water in a large area in your yard? Typically this calls for a French Drain. A French Drain is a great way to control standing water in a large grassy area. It can also protect areas from flooding to a certain degree. As long as the French Drains capacity to move water is not exceeded. If the French Drains capacity is exceeded then water will stand in the drainage area until the rain stops and the drain has time to catch up. A good way to prevent this is to install a bigger French Drain with a larger pipe. The difference between a 3 inch French Drain and a 6 inch French Drain is huge.
Below is the White Trench Liner and The Black Pipe Filter that prevent Your French Drain From Being Clogged and Ruined.
Do you have water seeping into your floor vents after a hard rain? Is water causing damage to your floors or carpet? Is water finding a way under your foundation after a thunder storm? Oklahoma Drainage and Sprinkler Repair designs and installs Drainage Systems that can help stop the damage. We utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, and Sump Pumps to protect property. Connecting gutter-downspouts into the Drainage System is always a good idea where possible.
The need for Drainage Systems is increasing in Oklahoma. During heavy thunder storms, homes and business need a way to drain water away. Storm water can cause many kinds of damage. Here are just a few:
1. Driveways and Sidewalks can crack and deteriorate
2. Foundations can crack move or shift
3. Vents and ducts can fill with water
4. Mold can be allowed to grow
5. Trees and Plants and grass can be damaged or drown
Too much water is never a good thing!
We can quickly diagnose your Drainage Problem and provide a free quote for a Drainage System. With twenty years of experience, we realize that Drainage Problems may be very complex and difficult or very straight forward and simple. Every Drainage Problem is unique to a certain degree. Don’t kid yourself, Experience Counts!
Edmond Oklahoma has been the location for many French Drain Installations for us in the past several years. Recently we ripped out an old Surface Drain that was under a deck. The Surface Drain was too small for the job and did not Protect the Foundation from Standing Water. The First step was to take out part of the deck along the wall. Next we took out the Surface Drain and the Three Inch Pipe which was too small. Digging a trench along the foundation came next. We had to ensure the, “Fall” to make sure the water would run from left to right. Next a French Drain Liner needed to be installed. This was necessary to maintain the integrity of the trench and to keep the French Drain Pipe from filling up with sand and getting clogged over the next few years. We then installed 4 inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain Pipe along the course of the French Drain. Next we connected the end of the French Drain Pipe to Solid 4 Inch ADS Drain pipe to continue along the trench to the Pop-Up Emitter at the Exit Point.
Oklahoma Drainage takes many things into account when providing a Drainage Diagnostic for a Customer. We determine:
1. What is the Primary Water Source to the problem? Where is the water coming from?
2. Is there a Secondary Water Source? Other Places that water may be coming from. All Drainage Problems have more than one source!
3. How many Subsequent Water Sources are present? Some complex Drainage Problems have many water sources.
4. What exit points are available for gravity to move water away from the problem area? Where are we trying to take the water to, and how is it
going to be released? Is more than one exit point possible to increase capacity?
5 How much water must be moved? What Size Drain Pipe is necessary to lessen the chance of being overwhelmed by flooding? This is a tough
consideration. (Larger Pipe – Larger Cost to Install)
French Drain Or Channel Drain, How To Determine What is Needed, Norman, Edmond, Mustang, Yukon
Oklahoma Drainage has Installed and Serviced French Drains, Channel Drains, Sump Pumps and Surface Drains since 1993.
Drainage Diagnostics is a way of figuring out what to do about your Water Problem. Typically many things must be considered when completing a Drainage Diagnostic.
Small Channel Drain Installed On Patio In Lawton
French Drain Connected to a Channel Drain across the Driveway
French Drain, Channel Drain, Installation, Service
French Drain with stepping stones
6 Inch French Drain
Edmond Channel Drain, Norman French Drain, Installation
French Drain Installation Or Do You Need A Surface Drain?
Many Folks don’t know the difference. Actually there are many differences and a few similarities. One difference is, a French Drain takes in a larger amount of water into the drain Pipe than a Surface Drain. A French Drain consists of water passing through gravel and into a perforated pipe below it. The perforated Drain Pipe lies in a trench usually about 18 inches below ground but this can vary greatly depending on the variables and requirements of the French Drain.
French Drain Installed, Water is gone, just need to clean the mud off the sidewalk
Oklahoma Drainage — Installing – French Drains – Surface Drains – Channel Drains – Sump Pumps
Servicing all of Central and Western Oklahoma since 1993.
Oklahoma Drainage recently diagnosed a Drainage Problem in South Oklahoma City. The Home owner had a sump Pump in their basement that was fed from a French Drain outside the Basement Wall. The French Drain was 14 feet down along the Stem wall of the house. The French Drain Pipe was cheap and had collapsed. We brought in a Mini Excavator and dug up the pipe and replaced it with Durable ADS 4 inch perf/soc French Drain pipe. In the end, we were able to dig up the pipe and Replace it.
Oklahoma Drainage - 405 203 9419 