Fabric with French Drain - Breaking The Myth - Clay and Sand Soil

[@georgiafatboymowingandtrac7293]

I just want to thank you for making these videos. I live in Western Tennessee (Memphis) and our soil is all clay. I was about to lay hundreds of feet of French drain. Following conventional “wisdom” I had planned to wrap the whole thing in fabric. What a mistake! I look forward to joining your support group when I start laying the drain. Again, thanks so much!

[@jonhmallari3772]

So when you laid your pipes, you only had gravel covering it?

[@WildwoodSubRailfan]

A master class on how this all works. Thanks Chuck!

[@porlando12]

Thank you for everything that you do!

[@Goodvibes-Adventures]

Great video 😊. I was hoping you would do one of these. But if possible... Could you do one with regular soil as we have in Upstate NY...? Also...You have a container with a bottom. Naturally the water will hit the bottom and force it's way back up ..Using Hydrostatic Pressure. But ..The ground doesn't have a bottom ...How far down will natural ground soil absorb water till it comes back up to the French Drain Line? Can you maybe try same experiment 🥼 and cut the bottom off the container? Also by adding the...Catch Basins I believe that would also act as a air vent for the system allowing air to not only help dry it out in the lines but air and water can help with the flow ... And if you have multiple catch basins then you will always have air flow through the systems

[@kevinshea4776]

Thank you Professor Chuck! Great science!

[@Goodvibes-Adventures]

🥼👍He earned his jacket 😅

[@danielseddon3177]

Is it a different process in the context of a french drain around foundations? I’m asking because I was u see the impression we’re trying to stop the soil around the house being saturated.

[@LovejoyBuild]

Can you please make a video with “FRENCH DRAIN MAN’S” method. Fully wrapped system with pipe at bottom of trench!?

[@Cougar139tweak]

You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity. Richard P. Feynman

[@NarHandleBy]

Thanks from Vancouver Island Canada: thank to you I hope to win the battle against this clay.

[@SeanBaker]

The grass on the west side of my house would NEVER grow until I got a French drain with basins installed. It was a swampy mess before. I have clay soil.

[@Goodvibes-Adventures]

New name for your company Chuck 😄. Apple Drains ( F.D.S ) Proven Drain Science by ... Professor Chuck 🥼😂

[@draingeeks]

Excellent video. Thank you Chuck.

[@jerseyshoredrainagesolutions]

Should do this test with filter cloth installed vs non as well

[@ghg8257]

Thanks Chuck. In an overall scenario and with your experience, would you recommend corrugated pipe or PVC for a french drain in a sandy type ground?

[@appledrains]

Either one works great

[@dougrichardson1980]

The guy at Lowes says that using enough gravel eliminates the need for fabric and keeps it flowing. Is this accurate? I appreciate any input because I’m about ready to start a project In Ohio.

[@Thisishard2333]

Won’t it eventually form a concrete wall around the stone ? I have this situation. Both my neighbors properties slope towards me. My house was built between these 2 homes.Within a few minutes I have 3 inches of water on both sides. Takes a week to be able to walk on it

[@jonhmallari3772]

How do you prevent roots from coming through your pipes if we don’t use fabric for clay soil?

[@appledrains]

Fabric does not stop roots

[@Michael131PL]

thank you !

[@Anjanya1948]

Want you to come to my house in SW Florida

[@yeehaw398]

Now surface water on footer tile with rock to the surface. !!!

[@thenexthobby]

So my interpretation is this: Soil will compact and when that happens near a French drain, water bypasses it. Clay and sand remain permeable, allowing water to reach the drain. I’m unclear on what the rock aggregate does, given that the clay or sand will go thru it.

[@ShadowDarken]

An unwrapped clay system will be clogged in months...and gravel/rock is pointless if the soil can fill the voids. I suspect Chuck is playing that maintenance long game.

[@heathnunley502]

Wrap clay or don’t wrap clay at my footer in Michigan???