French Drain Fabric: Why Most Fail & How to Make Yours Last Forever [10 yr French Drain is Proof ]

[@JoseOrtega-xn4mj]

Great video I purchased 4x100 corrugated drain at Home Depot my question is how deep can I dig to place without crushing? Thanks any advice is greatly appreciated.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

You're in trouble. That pipe is failure. No matter what you do. You have no chance at success with The Home Depot pipe. My best advice to you, sir, is to return that pipe.

[@justinwesley2423]

​@FRENCHDRAINMAN Where can you buy the fabric you are using? All the drainage suppliers have landscaping fabric in my area

[@SpiritusComics]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN what pipe do you prefer sir? Thank you

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

@@SpiritusComics Best French Drain and Yard Drainage Contractor frenchdrainman.com/

[@forshigity5000]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN why?

[@Kanooky_Jones]

Digging open the drain and showing how clean that stone is, speaks volumes.

[@benkenobi671]

Agreed...

[@wellingtongil]

I like this guy. He is aggressively clear in communicating why things work and don’t work. His videos all have relentless criticism of competitor works, generous vouching of their products (high octane pipes, pvc preference and of course, double punched non woven fabric)

[@JoeStranzl]

Agree. But there's a separate, experienced french drain specialist who challenges everything this guy stands for. I like surveying everything avail (on all landscaping topics) trying to find consensus. Most times, it's elusive.

[@JG-og1wy]

@@JoeStranzlwho is the other guy you’re referring to?

[@RatreoTumips-ig8lg]

the amounts of roots shows clearly that there is water coming this way, meaning the system is working ! i take notes for my project

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXWZPUFUNw6SMI64dtHlhzl&si=LdPLPoqZ-mxNdA4R

[@waytospergtherebro]

It's amazing how every liquid filtration media known to man clogs up and needs frequent cleaning or replacing but the dudes who sell French drains for a living know a special store that sells some magic fabric that lasts forever. Really makes you wonder why they sell French drains for a living instead of solving complicated material science problems.

[@New_Disciple-G3101]

Facts: - double punch - two different punch sizes (show me where else I can find that)

[@MrBabs78]

They don't shop at home depot for professional grade geotextiles.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIusm6GLpLCjlassi=X5K2gucziIsSZ9Dg

[@amymclola4301]

Another great video. From what I understand for an underground roof runoff system using solid corrugated pipe, the 4 ounce fabric is usually used in the area of the catch basin (non-burrito wrapped) and pop up emitter (burrito wrapped). My Question: if one of the 4 inch 90 degree pop up emitters, with a few holes drilled on its bottom for leaching of standing water, will be in an area closer to tree roots, would the 8 ounce fabric work better to prevent root ingrowth into the pop up emitter, or would this impede drainage? Thanks as always!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

You definitely have been putting a lot of thought into this. Trees suck. If they are close, as they grow, their roots lift the pipe. That's down the road. To answer your question 8 oz does give you more protection against the tree roots, and It drains fast enough to keep up with the leaching of water.

[@BellaItalian8982]

How many feet should the drain system be away from the house? I get water in my basement.. my driveway is along my house and between the foundation of the house and the driveway , rain water comes into the basement… Mickey from Wisconsin here! I love watching your videos!!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Check to make sure your driveway slopes away from the home. If not consider concrete jacking the slabs of cement. And if that's not a feasible option, you may need to break out the driveway and repour it so that it slopes away adequately.

[@coldcaribbean]

I would have liked to see what that stone looks like a foot down for comparison. Sure, the stone on the top will be clean, but how much sediment builds up at the base of the trench by the pipe? Maybe none in your case, but would have been nice to show it.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

It was hard enough to convince the homeowner to let me do what I did do to that French Drain. I took a perfectly functional well working French Drain and cut the fabric and exposed it. I was hired to run another French Drain in the front yard. I did mend the fabric to return the French Drain to 100%

[@coldcaribbean]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Fare enough. Thanks for the videos!

[@Poindexters-Obsession]

The DOT use makes sense with the huge filter bed of the road base and low water demand. The 10 year example looks like sandy or silty loam soil. What about a heavy clay? Clay with its microscopic platlets can seem to clog anything that prevents it from ingress. I need a system in my ohio lawn that is very high clay content. Do I need to keep the top either open gravel or dressed with low clay topsoil to allow clean water in to flush any clay that sneaks in through the fabric? I won't have an open drain point either, just a percolating field at the low point.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

This was clay-based soil. Ninety-nine out of 100 jobs we do involve clay.

[@alexbrands5653]

What's the problem with water in the stones below the pipe?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Tree roots love that, they can sniff out water and take out your system.

[@slicktires2011]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Can you prevent that by placing an outlet pipe at one corner of the trench, sloping downwards to daylight or to a drywell?

[@carpediem4413]

Dont corrugated pipe ribs create a catch for dirt & debris? Wouldn’t a smooth pipe carry dirt away better? Also, ru saying with the right fabric, you don’t need rocks underneath? Is your corrugated pipe perforated on bottom? I’m trying to not only run gutters through a pipe away from house but how to use same pipe along foundation to run away the water that seeps through soil next to wall ? Basement doesn’t hAve sump… going to pitch dirt away from basement walls .. is gutter drain enough or do I need some sort of just below surface pipe to catch surface water and carry away? Two pipes or how to use just one system run?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Watch "Underground Downspout Drain - Done Right The First Time Work Smarter NOT Harder ] Drainage For DIYer" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ-kY4GFfqqNbK8 Watch "How Does Drainage Pipe With Holes Really Work?" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaK4f6GZZc9rgck Watch "Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a Underground Downspout Drain [ Gutter Drainage System ]" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX_GoIOPZrBopKc

[@rprug]

Would this fabric work for an interior basement drainage system? Fabric -> Gravel -> corrugated pipe -> gravel -> lay fabric over gravel -> more gravel on top of fabric -> 3" concrete layer. What brand of corrugated pipe do you recommend? This is just a scenario. Looking for your opinion. Thanks for your time.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BWSyew4JyZuxDpBvULztf91&si=1lZM2EgeWWIlWUNq

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BWSyew4JyZuxDpBvULztf91&si=1lZM2EgeWWIlWUNq

[@rprug]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Very cool. Where can I get the blue corrugated drain pipe? It looks so much more durable than the black stuff. Again this is for an interior basement system. Appreciate your help

[@rprug]

Thank you. I found your website. Perfect

[@MaDGriZz78]

So lay fabric first then pipe then stone then more fabric? or do you just burrito it with the stone inside ? this work next to a house foundation with mostly clay?? basement water issues here no solutions offered but interior ones that dont seem like good systems by "waterproofing" companies here in maine.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYHOfnVtptGIidE

[@hoots02]

I love your channel I've learned so much. I have a question I want to do new weepers in front of my house and around my house. Do you recommend doing this product. I plan on having 6' of 3/4 Is cut clear stone. Thoughts

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BWSyew4JyZuxDpBvULztf91&si=ukZk4S7LxfPa1Y9P

[@mikelance7175]

I’m doing drain field for a septic do you recommend 8oz fabric or 4 Oz?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We're using 4 oz for everything. I have a lot of confidence in the 4 oz.

[@elbuggo]

Thanks you for this. I have seen the points before though, but most probably haven't. What I have not seen solved is a FD that can cope with traffic, or tractors and trucks.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Watch "How To Run A Drainage System Under A Driveway [ French Drain, Yard Drain, Buried Downspout, SumpLine" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGiWq6mwiJVrqKc Watch "How Do I Run a Drainage Pipe Under a Driveway?" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2HVin2YZZ6klaM

[@elbuggo]

@@xxxmikeyjock That is what I am fearing. But now I am not sure we really need a pipe in all these trenches. Some round rocks wrapped in a fabric should also drain a lot, although somewhat slower.

[@elbuggo]

@@xxxmikeyjock RE: this guy has luck in his geographical area doing this stuff Well, he has to do something that will work for him where he is! Doesn't sound like luck! RE: doesnt work where I live Well, have you tested his marvelous Non Woven Geotextile Fabric 8 oz? If you have a silt problem, I will say you have a fabric problem!

[@elbuggo]

@@xxxmikeyjock Some terrible difficult soil you must have! Wish I could imagine what it looked like! If the silt is clogging the filter, I would say you have to apply a bigger filter (deeper and wider ditch) or a different filter.

[@elbuggo]

@@xxxmikeyjock A filter cant stop everything. But it must stop what it has to stop. That's self evident and obvious. Is it you that have a problem with calibrating the filter properly?

[@bonsummers2657]

What is 'double punched' in regard to non-woven geotextile fabric? Thanks.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Tiny holes to improve drainage

[@bonsummers2657]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Thanks! I type in 'double punhed geo textile fabric' but 'double punched' I don't see listed in the online search.

[@JoeStranzl]

@@bonsummers2657 We use 4, 6, & 8 oz non-woven fabric. We've never seen it with holes.

[@BrunosBlueChewa]

can a FD work in two directions with two falls from one central high spot?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes it can.

[@JoeStranzl]

If pvc french drain pipe draws water from the bottom of a trench in a similar fashion, why not put the pvc directly on 4, 6, or 8 oz non-woven fabric & soil? why put the pvc on the "4 inches of drain rock"? And besides cost, is there any reason NOT to use 6 or 8 oz non-woven fabric vs 4 oz for new french drain builds?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

When the bottom holes plug with sediment PVC pipe is all done. kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BX_ZMbxsYVB6CNFoeAmuPxX

[@mae2759]

Joe, without the rock, there is no way for the water to enter a PVC pipe with the holes on the bottom. You need the rock to pick it up off the ground a little. Should be 2 inches, not 4 though. The corrugated pipe can be placed directly on the fabric on the ground because it has holes all around the pipe for the water to enter.

[@farmerdude3578]

I like sand on the tile. Sand just works, and always last for many years.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

What the road construction crews are now doing is that they put a layer of sand under the roads. They will trench out an area in the sand to put fabric, pipe, and stone. If the sand is on the other side of the nonwoven Geo textile filter fabric, you will have a really good system.

[@hudsontran5344]

What does double punched mean

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Needle holes to up the flow rate.

[@zanepaxton7452]

There are other creators that are passionately adamant that geotextile fabric should NOT be used around the drain rock in clay soils! The reasoning given is that the fabric slows the water flow so drastically so as to render it nearly useless. There are demonstrations to show the amount of flow restriction…. So it’s confusing; whom to believe? I’m more in the camp that says slower flow with fabric is better than a totally silt-clogged system in a few years. My lot doesn’t have a lot of slope but I’m also thinking that the drain line needs to have a minimum 2% slope to properly flush out any silt that ends up in the pipe. But, that will then require a sump and sump pump that I’m really trying to avoid for cost and maintenance reasons.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZrImZesi7moY5o A fully contained system can be flat with no slope. No debris or sediment in a wrapped system

[@johnhiggins285]

I have the same question. What's to prevent the fabric getting clogged with clay soil once it's wet? I've watched all your great videos but asZane says - other creators warn against it in clay conditions.

[@zanepaxton7452]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN There is merit to what you’re saying; if there’s little fine sediment washing into the pipe, then a stronger flow rate from a steeper slope is far less important. My cautionary tendency is to then oversize the pipe to be more like the City storm drain systems and to add catch basins along the pipe to also provide clean outs for maintenance.

[@zanepaxton7452]

@@xxxmikeyjock Sure, but City storm drains have solid pipes and aren’t French drains, so there is no filtering as part of the design.

[@MetalFret.]

So should i get the 4 Oz or the 8 Oz Fabric?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Flow rate is noticeably higher in 4oz If you don't need a high flow rate 8 oz is a good choice for legacy properties that will be in the family for generations.

[@MetalFret.]

@FRENCH DRAIN MAN Thanks I just ordered the 4 Oz from you.

[@Tevo581]

How do you choose the thickness of the fabric?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

How fast I need it to drain. 4 oz is the fastest. We roll with that unless there are sharp rocks involved in the build. If that's the case we go with 8 oz.

[@Tevo581]

Thank you. Soil here in Dallas I was told is clay but in my area there are some rocks too. Is it safe to go with 6? I think I should buy it before I even start digging.

[@Paul-hj1vt]

Half of FD contractors say don't use fabric, then guys like this say use it. Others say put gravel down first, this guy says put the pipe right on the fabric. Who knows, really.

[@ilovefunnyamv2nd]

armchair general, putting in a french drain myself, so take it or leave it: the fabric selection (or none) is important. I tried being cheap and using a weed barrier that let water through. well 5 seconds with my faucet proved that wrong, it pooled water nearly as good as the plastic bucket it was sitting on, so that was out! Having the bed of gravel leaves a space for loose sediment to rest, so the french drain inlet holes don't get clogged up. On the other hand, any plant with deep roots will find that resting water below the drain line, and the root system will thrive there! (look at Deep Water Culture Hydroponics) so it's a 'pick your battle' situation

[@mae2759]

This guy's videos make sense and he explains his reasoning. He even has videos of him digging up old systems that don't use his technique. Putting the gravel in first is leftover logic from using PVC with holes in the bottom. Without the rock, there is no way for the water to enter a PVC pipe with the holes on the bottom. You need the rock to pick it up off the ground a little. The corrugated pipe can be placed directly on the fabric on the ground because it has holes all around the pipe for the water to enter.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

The guys that don't use it get to come back and put in another French drain 5 years later. Not using the fabric is job security.🤷🏻‍♂️