Channel Drain Installed under trees

[@BDHO73]

You’re on an absolute winner with the revisits in the rain. So satisfying.

[@GCFD]

It’s my favorite part of the job!

[@Igor-xl4wz]

@@GCFD Its ours too!

[@gregsettle9725]

I like the idea that tools not only save time & money but they save the crew as well. Just because you could do something by hand doesn't mean you should. Good video, Excalibur work!

[@GCFD]

I agree! After every job I ask the guys what we needed that could have made things easier. Then I go get it for them.

[@faeezf]

Your channel is the best when the rain is the heaviest. Looking at the water outlet discharge soothes the soul

[@erik1514]

Love watching you come back for review in person. I like to see my hard work in action as well. Thanks for the content.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Erik!

[@honestabe7349]

Some jobs go in easy, sometimes everything you go to do is difficult. Good job sticking with it through the hard parts.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! We struggled through and got it done. 👍

[@Landofmagic678]

I love how you take KZbin comments, and use them to better yourself! that's amazing.

[@GCFD]

Not only do the comments help me out but I had a fan call me today and share a TON of tips that he has picked up over the years. I can't wait to employ them and give him a shout out.

[@dcwshoreline5416]

I really like the deliberate outfalls. That is an excellent idea showing back up In the ⛈🌧

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I like that they don't get forgotten and covered up/mowed over.

[@bronco5644]

Since about 2012 I’ve only used 4” schedule 40 on drains for gutters when a previously installed black corrugated pipe had completely filled up with soil and debris resulting a flooded crawlspace. I’ve also used it under paver projects for french drains where the slope was toward the house (drilling the perforations in the pipe like you mention). I wondered if I was going over board but am glad I’m not the only one who does this. I’m not in the drainage business, but have built drainage systems on 4 houses that we’re owned. I’m glad that I found your channel because I’ve learned a lot from watching your videos. Its a comforting feeling on a rainy night to know all the excess water is being drained away without causing trouble for your crawl space or basement.

[@GCFD]

Thanks for sharing Bronco! Fixing the flooding problems at my rentals is how I got into this. I did the same thing you did using 4" until my contractor friend saw how these pipes worked and told me I should do drainage work. I looked into it and saw practices and materials that I didn't thing were the best so I jumped into drainage work. 👍

[@mathusvaiaoga9787]

Best part of these vids is seeing the drains in action. Thanks so much for going back. The footage seems like a small thing but it def makes a big difference.

[@GCFD]

I agree. I've had about a 2 month delay in posting because it just wouldn't rain here.

[@davidchristensen6908]

Another Gate City Foundation Drainage job well done and of course a thumbs up for you.

[@GCFD]

Thank you David! Thanks for watching as usual! - Shawn

[@MrHarmonizr]

thumbs up on the voice overs when the time lapse is running

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Dripfed]

The world is split into two types of drainage contractor. Schedule 40, or corrugated. I've been converted to schedule 40 through watching. So well explained, thanks for your channel.

[@GCFD]

Thank you for watching and commenting! - Shawn

[@LAZYDAYZAHEAD]

Shawn, you did it again. You made another client very happy 😊. Your team seams to work very well together. Thanks for sharing.

[@GCFD]

Thanks for watching Jesse!

[@gardenman3]

I bet he gets a lot of business by word of mouth.

[@tylermott677]

Loved the time lapse from the trencher looking down the line as you go.

[@GCFD]

Yea I thought that was cool too. I *almost* trenched my camera when the magnet mount came off and the camera fell in the trench!

[@Mark.Watson]

Quality work + quality materials = happy customer!

[@GCFD]

Yes and a happy me too! Haha.

[@atosvcultd]

Love your videos! Pleasant greetings from Belize!

[@brianhbinesh]

No point in hurting your workers. Their body is their livelihood. Good job

[@GCFD]

Yes I agree! They have never had a boss who provided knee pads and other equipment for their comfort.

[@josephj6521]

Had to come back and watch this video due to drainage withdrawal symptoms. I may need to see a doc. Channel drains are a fantastic solution. That tiny drain installed previously was a joke. How some tradesmen think doing a job like that is suitable? 👍

[@evanthelegend7610]

I love watching your channel and seeing how everything works ranging from sump pumps all the way to French drains. But just gota laugh a little with the music at 7:00. Every diy creation channel uses that song. Keep up the great videos and well done.

[@GCFD]

I just found that song in the audio library from like 2015!

[@shanewhite499]

Another job well done. You have a hard working crew and always solve the problem. Can't wait till the next video. Full bubble for life

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you! More coming!

[@dylantrinder1571]

Nice work Shawn, I hope the homeowners have a great time in the pool this year.

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you Dylan!

[@steverusie6986]

Great job again. You always work smarter rather than harder!

[@GCFD]

We try to Steve!

[@dougackerman4182]

Neat project Shawn

[@GCFD]

Thank you Doug!

[@spudman12382]

I could watch your videos all day long. Great job!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Dave! - Shawn

[@spudman12382]

@@GCFD you're welcome buddy. Keep the videos coming lol

[@GMan-yv8cb]

Hi ! Nice job !! 2 quickies for ya- 1. Couldn't you have put a French / Yard drain up top, BEFORE the wall? No cement- ALL dirt ! 2. Then, if the micro-channel was clear, use IT for any wayward water to then drain into your new solid discharge . Only asking. NOT being critical!

[@AbdicateDotNet]

What a great way to start the day!! Great video! 👋👍😷

[@GCFD]

👍👍 Thank you!

[@zacksgaragedoorserviceandr1208]

I want to let you know I am really glad that you are doing a very honest work not a lot of people contractors or no one does this really no more me myself install the drainage system around my house if I thought about it I could’ve done a little bit more better job but it works really well what I have is catch basins underneath every single downspout going into corrugated pipe going away from the foundation of the house the only reason I did this because the type of stuff we have would get clog easily and where my driveway is there’s some weird point where I had to connect everything to go underneath the driveway if I didn’t do it the way I did it I feel like all the debris would end up at that clog point but it works really well the way you do your drains is very amazing keep up the good work

[@BDHO73]

Dude, punctuation is your friend.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Zackary! 👍

[@andyleo8418]

This channel is growing fast. Congrats

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@anthonyfindlay466]

Another one in the bag Shawn, keep it up bro.

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@semtek11]

Another fantastic job and great video. Keep em coming...

[@GCFD]

More are on the way!

[@mathusvaiaoga9787]

That Myrtle you ripped out will grow back with a vengeance from the tiny roots left in the ground. I hate those things.

[@GCFD]

Hahah i know the feeling. Those tiny flowers get everywhere!

[@johnhamilton9229]

Bummer on the small drain making it tuff. A few deep breaths and another job well done. Ok more please.

[@GCFD]

Thank you John! More on the way!

[@miketaylor29]

Wish we had someone like your company here in Central New York!

[@GCFD]

👍 I will be up in NY later this year for a family reunion. We're from the southern tier.

[@mikeholubek4419]

@@GCFD bring Ur equipment and write off the travel while making $$$

[@ryanwaltos2206]

@@GCFD whereabouts in the Southern Tier ? Beautiful foliage in the fall !

[@timgarner6768]

Shawn, with all those Crepe Myrtles, will the customer have to hose out the channel drain occasionally, to ensure the flow is maintained?

[@GCFD]

Yes a little maintenance will help things flow well for him. Because we kept our fall, he can blast any debris through the system with no worries.

[@smithy3269]

Nice of you to concrete over the tops of the grate to hold them in place 😂

[@GCFD]

That is residual concrete and the grates pop right out. I did one just the other day after a bunch of exposed soil ran into it.

[@DanBurgaud]

14:14 what is the slope in this scene? Is it sloping away from the pool?

[@GCFD]

Yes luckily the pool deck is sloping away from the pool

[@jeremycerra4288]

Love watching videos and you guys always do great clean jobs, but on channel drains, concrete gets a little messy on the drain channel grate. Maybe use plywood or something in its place for concrete pour/fill and then put clean grate on afterwards. Just a thought, love the channel!

[@GCFD]

Thanks Jeremy!

[@stephenpeterson2011]

The rental place by me has a 3" trencher. Is the way to add 2 4" pipes to dig two trenches a few inches apart and dig up the middle to get it wide enough or is there an easier way? thanks

[@jorgeperez-pb4vr]

Ronalds one heck of an employee

[@GCFD]

Yes he is! I am very grateful to have him.

[@jeremycreech4757]

Actually I think it's "THE" Ronald. Should maybe get that for him on a t-shirt.

[@ianrosie4431]

Nicely done.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@son_of_guns]

Just when you think its going to go to plan...that's when that back muscle comes into play and old school wisdom

[@GCFD]

Yes! and hindsight is 50/50!

[@bkind2182]

Do you think using a saw to vertically cut the existing channel drain would have helped?...

[@GCFD]

Yes for sure! Anything would have helped us in this case. lol

[@mbarrett99]

The dirt behind the railroad ties will still wash away, but it will not end up in the pool. No easy solution for that, except maybe a drain up closer to the fence which probably wasn't practical.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Renatousa17]

THIS IS A VERY GOOD CHANNEL.

[@JohnDeere0809]

Awesome work! Question on outfalls, I can see why them being deliberate is key on seeing if they work but just wondering if you’ve ever had animals or anything like that go in there and also why the angled cut at the end? Great work and thanks for all the helpful information!!

[@GCFD]

Great questions Jeremy! The bright white and smooth inside doesn't seem to attract animals because nothing stays in the pipe and even the slightest rain causes a flow through the pipe.

[@mrtp1758]

Hi. A second cut at 2.5 inches would have made it quick and solved your prob on the concrete. Hindsight etc etc. I learnt something today thanks.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@cyndikarp3368]

Job well done.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! 👍

[@SlackerU]

For straight lines it seems like you could use one of those .22-caliper hammers to nail the 2x4 into the pavement. 3:11

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Keifsanderson]

Do you ever have to worry about animals moving up into the outflows and creating nests/obstructions?

[@GCFD]

No because the bright white and smooth wall of the pipe is not attractive. The lightest rain sends water gushing out of the pipe and animals don't want that.

[@Keifsanderson]

@@GCFD Thanks for the reply!

[@johnturner7790]

There's an area in my yard that I'd like to put a french drain in, but it's between my backyard gutter downspouts and the street in the front where I'd like to dump all the water. You say to never put captured water into a perforated pipe, but would this be an exception?

[@GCFD]

I wouldn't ever do that. It just overburdens the area trying to collect water by dumping water there.

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

Love your videos. Wish I'd found them years ago when I started working on various drainage issues around my house - I'd have saved a ton of time by learning from you. One thing I do is use a laser level to plot out the slope of the land every four feet or so from one end to the other, figure out my starting depth and where I want to end up, and then do some spreadsheet math to calculate the target depth of the trench from the surface at each 4' mark. Do you just eyeball it to dig, and then drop a piece of pipe in the trench with a level to check?

[@GCFD]

Yes that's what we do. If the land is falling, we can just set the trencher depth and the trench falls with the land. We always check with a level to make sure.

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

@@GCFD Nice. Thanks!

[@jimanderson4495]

Another great job Shawn. Had you thought about using Tapcons to temporarily attach the 2x4 guide? That retaining wall needs a lot of work too.

[@GCFD]

I have used tapcons many times but just holding the board by standing on it seems to work well enough. Great comment!

[@christiandior8890]

amazing work as always !

[@GCFD]

Thank you Christian!

[@dellisles3562]

We’ll done!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@MrAluntus]

Could you not run the concrete saw again to divide those blocks? then you could lift one out and the one in the microchannel would have fallen away.

[@GCFD]

Yes! Hindsight is 50/50. We just got caught up in trying to pry/slide/bust the chunks out. If we do another microschannel we will cut twice before trying to remove. We could have saved a lot of time if we had just cut it again.

[@mattvollmer]

Great work! I notice when you backfill trenches that you leave what appears to be a 6”+ mound of dirt above the trench before applying hay. Does the ground settle that much?

[@GCFD]

Yes, the ground settles that much. If we don't leave it mounded (i.e. don't fully rake the dirt that came out) there will be a deep trench that re-forms.

[@benives254]

First world problems. Flowers in my pool! 😉

[@GCFD]

Those are by far my favorite type of problems.

[@torreydenton4150]

Great work shawn as always, I'm sure that you know this particular walk behind saw alot better than I do, but every walk behind saw I've ever been around is made to go forwards and not backwards. That wheel at the front (back in your case) is made to follow a line that you chalk out ahead of time to keep yourself tracking straight. At least thats the way every saw I've ever used works . Keep up the great work!

[@GCFD]

Haha you're not going crazy, you're completely correct Torrey! I got this saw from a scrap recycling place and it was bent pretty badly. It doesn't go in forward very well so we use it in reverse. I've had a few viewers comment on that and I will take a look at it again. I already *thought* I bent it back and re-welded it but it still doesn't do forward.

[@jeremywilcox]

Having watched so many of your vidios I did wonder whey you did not move the drain just that bit more left. May i suggest it would have been easier to have run the saw down the middle, remove the easy slice, and then be able to 'pop' the other bit off of the old chanel? Not like you to not think of that?

[@GCFD]

For sure! Hindsight is always 50/50!

[@TheUserid82]

With the number of concrete removal jobs you do to get pipes and drains in have you thought about getting a small jaw crusher to turn the chunks of concrete into a fill material? A rainy day project for someone to feed the crusher and put the resulting concrete gravel into a pile for later use.

[@GCFD]

I have thought about it but I would need a place to store all that broken up concrete and the operation. We typically need to get rid of the broken up concrete to free up the truck again. Great comment!

[@Reidbit]

Great video, thank you sir

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Michael-tv8pt]

Shawn, how deep do you dig your gravel French drains?

[@GCFD]

Deep enough so you hit dry dirt and have fall.

[@Michael-tv8pt]

Thanks!

[@DaBigTBone]

Second pass with the con saw down the middle of the concrete would have let you lift the half near the pool straight up and then slide the other half away from the drain.

[@GCFD]

For sure. Hindsight is always 50/50!

[@mikeholubek4419]

How come Y'all pull Ur concrete saw? We always go fwd, letting blade pull machine. U do have to hold it back, but that seems to work fine here. Then U can use ur guide on the line U snapped, U can't see it wet so U look ahead and use that. Just my opinion, U still do a great job.

[@GCFD]

We will try pushing the concrete saw. I have just always pulled it. Makes sense! - Shawn

[@mikeholubek4419]

@@GCFD the blade will pull machine, No pushing involved, U just need to hold it back, this is if the blade is spinning clockwise (standing on r of mach handles to left) . Work Smarter not Harder. Ur 1/2 way there with a machine.

[@rhysrichards7188]

what does the hay do ?

[@GCFD]

It protects the bare soil from erosion and helps the germinating seeds.

[@octiman2997]

Why can't you weld a pipe with a strong rubber wheel to support you concrete mixer?? The wheel will turn while the mixer is turning and will give a support.

[@GCFD]

I definitely could but it seems fine for now. It does wobble a little bit but I've mixed many pallets of mud with this mixer. It's a lifesaver!

[@idontgiveoutname3122]

What about the water behind the retaining wall?

[@GCFD]

It does drain around the wall with no problems.

[@fillowtree5505]

Nice job as always! What is the brand/model of the channel drain? Looking for some in my area and local supply yards do not stock a lot. You should think about posting Amazon affiliate links on some stuff. Thanks for sharing

[@GCFD]

I have thought about the affiliate stuff but don't know anything about it. This is the NDS 5" channel drain Pro series. Edit: amzn.to/3xIIGod

[@johnhamilton9229]

I used the NDS 5” and it is easily handling all the run off of my very very large driveway. Good stuff.

[@jddonahue2]

so it looks like the end of the drain is coming "up" from the ground. ????

[@GCFD]

It is sticking out of the bank, yes. I like my outfalls to be completely free of obstructions so the debris can flow out of them.

[@DCarr10760]

Seems like it would have been faster to make a third cut (between the previous two) then break up as usual. You could lift the outer pieces out without any hassle, then slide the ones that were keyed into the old micro-channel drain back and lift out.

[@GCFD]

It would have been way better to do that third cut. Hindsight is always 50/50

[@SlackerU]

Instead of worrying about a full-bubble it seems like you could be using 6-inch SDR-35 instead. 6-inch at 1% slope can move more water than 4-inch at 5% slope & still be self-cleaning, I wonder how their crush ratings compare.

[@GCFD]

Great point! I'll have to check on some 6" to see if anyone has it in stock.

[@SlackerU]

@@GCFD The big-box stores here even sell UV-resistant 2ft-sections of black 6-in SDR-35 sold as risers for basins. They're great as discharges too.

[@joedoesfun9336]

Another cut bisecting the concrete in half width would have allow you to lift out the remaining portion and tap out the channel drain much easier. 3 cuts total instead of 2.

[@GCFD]

Man, we should have done a bunch of things differently to get that concrete busted out. Hindsight is 50/50!

[@leecho9460]

Could you use tacos to hold down the 2x4. Probably not but maybe on some jobs it could work

[@GCFD]

👍

[@leecho9460]

That was supposed to say TAPCONS. Sorry about that spellcheck

[@johnfilce9236]

You might be getting calls from a series of neighbors there.... As you work downhill.

[@ortydoginohio6723]

Always make a relief cut

[@GCFD]

👍

[@jonathanleonard1152]

Would it be suitable to collect debris at outfall for composting?

[@GCFD]

Yes of course!

[@musicteacherbuilder]

If you ever come against this situation again... Cut twice. Run your second cut as close to the wall as you can. Then lift out the smooth cut portion, allowing the locked down portion to pull away from the wall.

[@GCFD]

I wish we had done that to begin with! Hindsight is 50/50!

[@musicteacherbuilder]

@@GCFD That is why I commented. We have many of us been in those kind of situations. If I share, I am paying back some of what you are giving out.

[@GCFD]

@@musicteacherbuilder for sure! I appreciate the help! - shawn

[@Kickn_NZ]

In New Zealand, if any water comes from your property onto a neighboring property YOU have to fix it at your expense as it's illegal to have water flow from neighboring properties. If the neighbor won't fix it at their expense, you head off to the council and they'll take up the issue and resolve it whether it be through legal means or not.

[@GCFD]

Thanks for sharing. Here we are not responsible for water flowing off our property.

[@peterhandelson1193]

Not 100% sure, but I believe a grinder at a 45 degree angle could cut the furthest corner of the mini channel drain, releasing the concrete.

[@GCFD]

We definitely needed something! Hindsight is always 50/50.

[@JeepArmyUSA]

Dear customers, please film in landscape 😅

[@GCFD]

Hahah I tell everyone that. but no one thinks of it.

[@jimbeck6093]

Are there other options to a channel drain in this situation?

[@GCFD]

I don’t really think so. We needed a way for the water to get away from the pool. Since the pool deck was sloping correctly we didn’t want to replace it.

[@jimbeck6093]

@@GCFD I understand. Great videos!!

[@Jeff-m5x3j]

Customers need to shoot landscape video.

[@GCFD]

yep! Even when I tell people 5 mins ahead of time to turn the camera, no one ever does.

[@DanBurgaud]

TLDR: This client swimming pool became the neighbor's drain sump....

[@GCFD]

👍

[@MrWilliamrjh]

i love everything you do, except the straw, always with the straw.

[@GCFD]

How do you protect your disturbed soil? I buy hundreds of bales of straw...

[@larryehrlich57]

Please inform your customers to hold their phone camera "horizontal" when recording. Why? Because then the video will be recorded in the "Widescreen" mode instead of the "Tall and Shiny" mode as seen in your customers video. Blue Sky's.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@michaelbradley7529]

Looks good although your concrete game could use a little work.

[@GCFD]

Have you got any pointers for us? A fan called me and gave me a few tips. One was to order the Dewalt 20v pencil vib. It'll be here this week 👍

[@michaelbradley7529]

@@GCFD For areas where you are doing fill in work like in this video a non-shrink grout would net better results both aesthetically and structurally. Most non-shrink grout is 7000psi. Super easy to work with and provides a very smooth finish.

[@Itsonlysimon]

Probably would of stuck it maybe a foot from the wall. And seal the bottom of the wall.

[@GCFD]

We thought about it but the low point was where the existing microchannel was located. Great comment!

[@fastsetinthewest]

NEW SUBCRIBER: I'm curious if you've ever read the book written by Henry Flagg French, entitled 'Farm Drainage'? Great videos 👍. Eaglegards...

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I have not read that book. Is it worth a read?

[@fastsetinthewest]

@@GCFD It's a great read written by the guy whom invented the French Drain. I'm watching and feel ya business pains. Government is your worse nightmare. I had a business location and learnt fast never to rent and watch the advertising crooks. Eaglegards...

[@The-Watchman]

Would love to hire you but I live too far. Would you be willing to do a consult on what you think needs to be done? Will pay you

[@GCFD]

I can try!

[@crisprtalk6963]

Hard to kill a crepe myrtle. they keep popping back up.

[@musclesmouse]

Those leaves would clog up a corrugated pipe and keep getting worse.

[@GCFD]

For sure. That's one of the many benefits of PVC! 👍

[@larryehrlich57]

Please tell your customer to hold their phone horizontal when video recording. Why? Because then their video will be recorded in the "Widescreen" mode instead of the "Tall and Shiny" mode as seen in this/their video. Thanks and blue skys.

[@nitailogan3185]

You do good work BUT.. you left that channel drain ugly with concrete slop. A few minutes order sponge cleaning would have made a word of difference.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@richH1625]

'full bubble' \ 'fall bubble' ?? Could you say what that is?

[@delt19]

He's referring to the position of the bubble in the level. In a full bubble as Shawn calls it, the bubble is located entirely outside the middle (i.e., sloping down aggressively)

[@GCFD]

Hey Rich - What D T said! Typically a 1/4 bubble is needed for drainage work but we go for a full bubble if we have it. My fans on this channel have picked up on our usage of Full Bubble! and that's kind of our motto now.

[@richH1625]

ok, got it now. :) It was said while pointing at the trench\pipe in the trench, something like "we've got a full bubble in there" and I was looking for some bit of kit! :)

[@SamCanada1]

👍

[@OTuit]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@GCFD]

👍

[@cheongyei]

Wrong trees near pools are a major no-no. Using God's gift of gravity to help water flow into the creeks, rivers and oceans is what makes drainage guys saints.

[@GCFD]

👍 plus gravity provides the energy to carry debris with the water.

[@chinov9445]

⛈🌧✅🎯💯

[@Itsonlysimon]

Or if anything. Drill holes in the bottom of the wall to allow access water out.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@michaelshepherd733]

Comment for KZbin algorithm.

[@GCFD]

Lol thank you! I hope you enjoyed the video.

[@michaelshepherd733]

Enjoy all your videos.....was gonna go with my usual "Great work, great video" comment....just wanted to be different this time....lol