DIY French Drain | Cheap & Easier Yard Drainage Solution | Trencher | Fix Wet Yard

This is a cheap DIY french drain project for any homeowner needing an easier yard drainage solution.
This is the third drainage project I have completed on the channel now and I believe this is probably the most common/traditional way of completing this job. For this project I did not use geotextile fabric but believe we still achieved great results that will last. The use of the trencher greatly decreased the amount of time the project took to complete. I’m not sure digging all of this would have been possible given how hard the ground was.
If you have any questions please let me know in the comments
Instagram (imthattechteacher) / imthattechteacher
Links:
Pipe: www.lowes.com/pd/ADS-4-in-x-1...
Music:
Epidemic Sound

[@nancywilliams7833]

That peg board idea is a real winner. Anyone who has ever shoveled much gravel will agree.

[@ZORRO4652]

Daughter needs this French drain at her house....you have made it very simple for me to understand the basics, I thank you . your very clear of what your sharing. I appreciate you and your channel!!

[@frankholehouse1393]

Good job ,when I do French drains I always use a filter sock over the pipe before putting gravel on .but you have done a good job very impressed very neat job .

[@jimncolleen1967]

great video, love the use of the peg board, lol

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks! Sometimes the simple things are the best.

[@awesometaxes]

Can't wait to get this project started.

[@jward9637]

I like you ingenious fix for laying down the gravel!👏👏👏

[@petepanagis5083]

Nice work. I appreciate the detail. Really like the peg board contraption.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks!

[@awparker85]

Love the pegboard idea! Great video.

[@Seanmcveigh82]

Another great video Ryan!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks again!

[@frankw5471]

Chuck The French Drain Man had used plastic sheet , cut it into smaller length, set alongside the path. After digging, lift the sheet at four corners to dispose dirt.

[@jets1722]

great idea with the peg board! thanks for the videos ryan!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks I appreciate it.

[@elizabethngera2212]

I like the projects.Really innovative there with the old pair board.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks! It really worked better than we thought.

[@kentfaver1367]

You may need to create a "I've got no tools or time" channel - lol - seriously -these are awesome, and makes me feel like a slacker too. Thanks!

[@idontcare1762]

I remember, back about 40 years ago, when I had that much energy to.

[@alexdenney177]

Totally addicted to drains! 😄

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Never thought I would be but I know the feeling. Owning a home changes the things you are interested in lol

[@Timmerd888]

Nice job man! 🤙🏻

[@suggsy1992]

Nice freedom factory shirt. Hell yeah brother!

[@JS-mt6wp]

How deep was the trench? Also, how do you account for the slope when using the trencher? Do you change how deep the trencher needs to dig along the trench to account for it? Or do you do it when putting the gravel? Thanks so much.

[@brunobarthas]

Thanks for all your very instructive videos. Can I ask why you decided not to use a geotextile fabric? I'm planning to fix my water issue with new french drain and I'm curious to see how it work few years after. Many thanks.

[@charliemanthedog107]

Nice vid overall and helpful too! Love the hole in the pegboard on the wagon for speeding up the gravel installation. Would be interesting to compare the functionality and duration of using geotextile fabric vs. not using. My understanding is that the fabric will prevent the system from silting in over time. On the other hand, I've heard that the fabric can get clogged with fines and prevent water from entering the system (at least to some degree). Curious to hear other folks' thoughts on that. Thanks for the vid bud!

[@meltormee6771]

PEG BOARD WAS ABSOLUTELY TOP SHELF...NICE WORK;))

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks we were struggling and that was a random idea

[@patrickpk6299]

I like the tailgate !

[@95Civictuner]

Pegboard tailgate = genius!!

[@SeanBaker]

Great job!

[@BigGary79]

Representing the Freedom Factory. Nice!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks! Have to represent!

[@josianrodriguez1249]

NICE JOB WELL DONE.

[@khdytv]

Love the Freedom Factory tee shirt

[@raulg721]

Great video Ryan i watched the last few of your videos. Great Job! I am about to start a project at my mothers house i was wondering if there is a way i can send you some pics to know where to start. There's an obvious area the French drain needs to be positioned.

[@garrettscott9427]

give us an update on a really rainy day please!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

I will try, but I will be honest with this one there is not much to see.

[@ReactorMk18]

Looks like you're pretty good at DIY-ing

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Trying my best. Thanks

[@weekendhomeprojects]

Nice use of the peg board

[@dominicpolicarpo9787]

I’m a little late to it, but this is what you love to see!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks

[@cbrackin531]

Hell Yeah Brother Your On The Cleetus Mcfarland KZbin Channel....Oh wait. Put a turbo on that trencher and getter done in time to go racing.... Keep up the good work!!!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Hell ya brother! Thanks man love to see fellow bald eagle love!

[@tmackie1694]

Aloha! Great video. The tool you called a “spud bar” is called an “o’o” here in Hawaii (pronounced “oh-oh”).

[@GregD87]

diggin that second day shirt

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Kent State!

[@Shanno_k]

pro work my brother 👊👊👊👊👊🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🇿🇦

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

I appreciate it

[@bobbadi1]

good job my man....

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks!

[@CS-qc7np]

I just finished a french drain. I like the open gravel look. I wish I had done that.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks!

[@sweete6777]

What would you do if your backyard floods? My yard is at the bottom of a hill. I have two sum-pumps that are just not enough. Should I create a trench? I just don’t know where that water would lead to.

[@kkevinj1]

Thanks for stating how much time for 100 feet!!!! I am renting one tomorrow and was wondering how long for 300 feet at 12"

[@nancyjoest445]

Hope you will still answer questions. What is at the very end of your drain pipe where it comes out on the other side of the fence? What does that look like? I really appreciate you videos.

[@frankw5471]

Good DIY work! I’m thinking to dig a trench 2’ deep and 1’ wide for perforated corrugated pipe. Trencher available can dig 6” wide, so I’ll have to trench twice. Will that causes problem? Thanks.

[@bobd7038]

Rent a mini excavator.

[@HB-yq8gy]

Great video I opted for a catch basin tied into leader pipes buried out to daylight. How far down did you dig? I was gonna go down 14" min due to our area having some frost in NJ. My other issue is my well pump is on that side down deep heavy equipment might push down & crush the drain pipe.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks. Sounds good to me, I went down 16" the heaviest thing I drive over mine is a lawn tractor but that pipe does become stronger with material on all sides of it you could also use a different type of pipe in high traffic areas

[@WeiseGuy91]

Is this going to ruin anything with your yard in terms of watering? If you have an irrigation system, are your sprinklers just running and that water draining away versus actually watering your grass?

[@JapaneseJoinery]

Does the pipe with holes in all sides actually flow water out? Any video of that in action?

[@hamidzarringhalam4985]

Awesome job! Thank you for sharing. Question, to have french drain close to building how far should it be away from the foundation and what is the best way to connect all downspouts around the house to it? Thanks

[@morzaprowashpressurewashin5673]

as close as possible, i did mine 18 in away

[@bobd7038]

Solid PVC pipe only from downspout to solid pipe connection, then solid pipe all the way to the street if possible.

[@user-fb2zw8bo8i]

looks like a good job did you consider non woven geo textile fabric

[@ronaldharmon9891]

I have a TON of trees in my front yard so I have ground moss [but I love it, no grass] I had the idea of creating a Dry River Bed because during a heavy rain the water sits across the front of my house . I have a bi-level and I KNOW it seeps under my house, I think a Dry River Bed of river rock [using your idea] would work great in diverting the water around the house. Your thoughts please?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

I think that sounds like a great idea to me

[@antoniobrown3219]

Nice.

[@todd5963]

Curious why you didn't use drain fabric like previous video? Great video as always. Thx

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Good question. I have always thought of the fabric as an insurance policy not a must but I believe it can extend the life of the drain.. I have installed many drains with out the fabric and they still function great and dug up some that are 30+ years old and still work great.

[@joeshmoe7789]

Just wondering, why a french drain? The dirt you dug out was so dry. It doesn't seem like you have a ground water problem, did you do this job during a drought?

[@josephmclovin9763]

You’ve got an awesome neighbor

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Yes I do!

[@diegonm6119]

Awesome video!! Question, How deep was the trencher digging? And was it the same through out the entire project? I'm about to do some digging with a trencher but nervous on how deep it should be. It'll be a horseshoe shape around my house and my backyard is at an inward slope. Thank you

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks, depending on the area and the slope it ranged from almost 30" deep to 12" just too keep the water flowing down hill. I like to stay 12" or deeper if you can so you have plenty of gravel over the pipe.

[@Jaleyna_Nana.streaching]

Can you use pea stone instead of the gravel?

[@symcardnel1741]

Thing of beauty for sure!!! Can you tell me what brand of beer you used for this project?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks

[@fannieallen6005]

This is much easier. Maybe we can get neighbors to help us. Thank you 💓

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Haha

[@polystormstudio]

This is exactly what I need to do to the side of my house. Question, is there a way to do this without digging a trench all the way to the road? My slope goes towards the back far corner of my back yard. I would have to dig a trench all the way there but I don't want to cause problems with my neighbours. Is there a way I can spread the water out at the end?

[@unclethanatos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iavag4yjlpyKasU

[@dansilful]

Update please!!! Is the drain still open and functional?6t

[@MB-ho8ns]

love the look of the open gravel but what happens when your mower passes over it? Even set high, wont you be flinging rocks?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

The stones sit at the same height as the dirt and I mow my grass between 2.5" and 3" in that area so there is plenty of room between stones and blade.

[@christian328]

I was thinking the same thing with my future project. I have low crawling Bermuda grass. So, going to have to soil and seed over it or do something creative.

[@mandoman7626]

So do you just mow over the stone?

[@bradleyryan1117]

How wide of a trench did you dig? How wide is the trencher? I need 8 inches from a 6 inch trencher

[@fUjiMaNia]

Great videos so how wide did your trencher dig? Did you do two runs to get a wider trench, 4+ inches?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks! I only did 1 pass. The trencher made a roughly 6" wide trench, the pipe was 4" in diameter and I had about 1" of room on each side of it.

[@fUjiMaNia]

@@ThatTechTeacher427 6" that's not bad at all. Okay thanks. I'm thinking either this or get a Tractor Loader Backhoe which got both the excavator arm and the wide bucket to haul the stones and dump it. I'll have to do some more research but thanks :))

[@_Pat1984_]

Is it still working I’m going to install the same set up tomorrow but with a sleeve around the pipe

[@darlingtonjonesimagery9247]

It was a great execution but I wish there were another solution that didn't have a line in your yard. Question: is there an issue with people walking on the gravel that could potentially break the pipe?

[@christopherg465]

FYI guys 8tons of stone or anything is a lot of weight plus the truck delivering the 8 tons. You might not see it this year or next but cracks to that driveway are coming from that. If you have property lay down tarps and dump it on grass, yah it might ruin it but it'll grow back. Cement ain't cheap. Hope this helps, thanks for the video. P.s. Escalator👍

[@christopherg465]

*Excavator stupid auto correct

[@mgj996999]

Great video! Did you put soil and sod back on top of the gravel to cover it up? Or leave the gravel showing?

[@mgj996999]

And where did you put all your access dirt?

[@VottyS]

The drain is cool, but that Freedom Factory t-shirt is the bees knees!

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Hell ya brother!

[@LM-gu7rj]

How wide was the trench?

[@eriksienkiewicz1903]

What does the gravel look like now?

[@freedomofreligion3248]

Who is the one who thought of the backboard on the wagon w the cutout for the gravel to go through exactly into your trench? Is that a common usage when installing French drains, or did you guys innovate?

[@billschwartz1330]

Since you did not use fabric in this drain, to compensate for that with a different size/type rock?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Nope same stone and pipe. It was the way the neighbor was most familiar with and I have had success with as well. It will be kind of an experiment to see how they compare long term. Fabric would have been very difficult using a trencher because of the trench it creates.

[@JJRossi]

Freedom factory!

[@robertking5766]

You should also call 811 to mark out your utilities even though you're not going deep some gas lines might only be a few inches deep trust me on that

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

That's a good tip I should put in there but in this case I knew I was good from a previous time calling them

[@vincentprospero2809]

Does the drainpipe terminate in a French drain?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Yes then out to the street

[@jaimejrodriguez9131]

A year later ....how's it going so far? Any updates?

[@marlboromatt5656]

Great job. Would you have used Baughman pipe if you could ?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Not sure on the price difference but that is one area I would not mind investing a little more money to increase the quality of the system. I know the neighbor and myself have had good luck with the "cheap" stuff so far and never plan to drive more than the lawn tractor over it so I did not do the extra work to find a local retailer or pay more for Baughman. But I respect anyone that would use a higher quality material.

[@156aliciasy]

Hi is the drain still successful

[@khmerjamesgoodness8712]

🥰🥰🥰

[@LIVE2TRI]

If the pipe has holes all around it, would water not just exit the pipe at the bottom?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

You are correct some will go out the bottom but the majority will flow downhill in the pipe. Also ground water will seep into the pipe from the bottom as ground pressure builds

[@bobthomas4651]

Wow! That pipe now goes for $100.00 for 100 ft. In southern Oregon

[@cryengine_x]

same in tx lol. bidenflation or covid or whatever. actually now i think it's more like $128. ridiculous.

[@maplenook]

1” rock. #57 washed river gravel. Pipe. Corrugated with slits. No fabric.

[@letsdanceonhere]

Peg board is a great idea and your film editing is very good too. But why didn’t you wrap gravel and pipe together with fabric? Won’t the soil eventually compact with the gravel and not allow water to pass through to the pipe? Open question to all. Thanks Update: Started watching Chuck of Apple Drains and discovered fabric and clay soil together do not allow good drainage. But what about other soils?

[@bobd7038]

See "French Drain Man" videos for more advice on burrito wrapped drain pipe.

[@gavinfahrenfort9497]

Without the geo textile fabric this pipe will definately silt up over time ....also the pipe should go right on the bottom of the trench (laying directly on the fabric) to transfer maximum water away as this method you will always end up with water collecting below pipe and flowing thru the stones under the pipe......and your hole cut in board on the trailer is a novel idea ...overall a great job ....

[@mo_joe963]

Did I see a jet stream blue c6 in the garage? 🤔

[@SmackMule]

$38 for your 100-ft roll of perforated pipe is now $128 four years later. Unreal.

[@gmcjetpilot]

"The French Drain Man" is screaming.... *It is good to see the quicker less involved simplified French drain design and installation.* It will work, but the question is how long? 5 YEARS? 10 YEARS? 15 YEARS? Eventually the drain will be blocked..... and lose efficiency. This applies to all French Drains with or without geotextile fabric....

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Amen!

[@frankw5471]

Do you prefer perforated PVC pipes then? Thanks.

[@christian328]

@@frankw5471 Based on my limited knowledge, yes that is the preference. I will also say that many people leave out a very important topic regarding geotextile fabric. There are different types of fabric and you should find the one that will work best with the soil at your location. If not, you very well could be wrapping the corrugated pipe in something that is going to get clogged with silt/soil.

[@snkedar]

I'd worry about my mower catching some of the loose rock and the rock getting slung around. It's a good way to take out the neighbor's eye. Has that been a problem or no? (The problem being the rock getting slung around, I don't care about the neighbor.)

[@tedday2008]

i have the same setup, have never had a stone thrown. Level with ground around it.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Just like ted I have not had a problem yet. I will say I mow my grass around 3" tall so the blades are not close to the stones.

[@h16s16s9]

How much to rental the trencher?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

$135 for a 4 hour rental at a local place. The 250'+ that I did here probably took less than 2hrs minus the return of the first trencher when it broke.

[@greatwhite333]

Aren't you concerned about the pipe clogging without the fabric like you did you with the other french drain?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

I have always thought of the fabric as an insurance policy not a must but I believe it can extend the life of the drain.. I have installed many drains with out the fabric and they still function great and dug up some that are 30+ years old and still work great.

[@marlboromatt5656]

That Tech Teacher that’s been the biggest debate in my head . Do I use fabric or Not. I’m getting ready to put in a 300 foot French drain and I haven’t decided if I should or not.

[@dric30]

@@marlboromatt5656 how’d it work out?

[@dric30]

@@ThatTechTeacher427 why not drop sod over the trench? Looks nice works the same

[@marlboromatt5656]

@@dric30 I did not use fabric . Works perfectly . I guess in the coming years I will know if it was a good decision.

[@mingyuanxu2130]

Where to buy 57# washed river gravel?

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Local landscaping supply company. Same place I buy mulch

[@nextjin]

Man god damn that pipe has went up in cost, it's like 116 dollars now. I had to buy 300 ft

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Wow

[@josholivarez3804]

how has this held up over the past 3 years without fabric?

[@adamflis1076]

Trencher... hardly know-er

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Thanks for watching

[@satishtummala5084]

Definitely would have used a geotextile non-woven fabric. Lay down the fabric in the trench, lay the pipe on the fabric, surround with stone, and then cover the "sandwich" followed by more gravel. The fines will eventually enter and migrate their way to the pipe and clog it all up in no time.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

I see your point and I did that in my other drainage projects on the channel but I have also had success doing this way as well. I should be many years before we have a silt problem.

[@rickr5223]

Isn't the stone on top of the pipe a bad idea? Pressing weight down onto plastic tubing.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Not at all. The plastic pipe is pretty strong when it has material on all sides. Then the gravel on top is a less dense than dirt for water to freely flow through.

[@rickr5223]

@@ThatTechTeacher427 nice. So im doing a sump pump extension similar to what you did but with pvc. I should do the same thing?

[@davidmcnerney3048]

Price on that pipe just went up to 77 a roll

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Haha just like everything

[@davidmuir405]

Thanks Joe!

[@samuelluna8691]

How does one make a drain without pipes...... NVM

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Just dont put in the pipe. The gravel will still move water

[@schex9]

I was told not to create a curve with a trencher. Your project should be laid out as a series of straight segments or you can break the trencher.

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Curves are ok as long as they are not very sharp turns.

[@garyhoney2013]

Your throwing dirt to the left meaning your Auger is pushing right. Most auger systems do that. Opposing forces!

[@aaronwalakay]

That pipe is $300 now

[@plumberturd]

Another cleetus shirt

[@datchu8458]

Watch Foreigner in phillipines

[@ThatTechTeacher427]

Cool Channel