French Drain, Yard Drain, Roof Runoff System Combined [ 3 Great Systems In 1 Trench ] 2024 Updates

Most Detailed Yard Drainage Tutorial French Drain, Yard Drain, Roof Runoff System Combined
Every once in a while the perfect video will come up where my schedule will allow me to film the guys on the perfect yard drainage installation. If you're trying to figure out your design for your DIY project or if you're a young contractor trying to elevate your game this video is for you. It's 30 minutes but it has all the details. I guarantee you as a DIYer you'll know exactly what to do. We're going to show every connection of this system we're going to show you everything and I don't think I've ever done that before.
💧FDM's Not Quite a 90 Fitting
frenchdrainman.com/fittings-c...
💧FDM's Catch Basin and Sediment Trap
frenchdrainman.com/basins/
💧 FDM's Kits for Buried Downspouts
💧 FDM's French Drain Kits
frenchdrainman.com/drainage-k...
French Drain Man - Michigan’s Yard Water Drainage Experts. Masters in the art of constructing contained French drain systems & curtain drain systems that and fix your yard drainage problems for years to come. Over 30 years’ experience in solving yard water drainage problems in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair Counties.
French Drain Man / Sherwood Landscape Construction, LLC
P.O. Box 777
Almont, MI 48003
248-505-3065
www.frenchdrainman.com
www.macombcountylandscaping.com
Follow us on:
Facebook: / frenchdrainmanusa
Instagram: / frenchdrainman
Most Detailed Yard Drainage Tutorial French Drain, Yard Drain, Roof Runoff System Combined
#downspouts #gutters #frenchdrains

[@JaYoeNation]

Just so happens I’m installing a roof runoff system and a French drain. Perfect timing.

[@northjerseykevin3915]

The quality of the system is awesome but also the way the property looks at the end is almost hard to believe. Immaculate 👍👍

[@wesvasher]

The way the yard looks before you left was so satisfying. Great job!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you 😊

[@northjerseykevin3915]

Another great video. Thank you. I’ve been a residential carpenter for 25 years. Also have 2 decades of experience with excavators and skid steer. After watching dozens of your videos and knowing how things work I think I could run a job like this if I had the manpower.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Knowledge breeds confidence 💪

[@MatthewSmith-cp3hu]

gosh i am so excited the frenchdrainman is so cool never in my life would i have thought i would think a drainage specialist would be so cool, its in his attention to every detail

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you

[@cinderblock4real]

You guys are the absolute best with technique as well as product innovation. If you could make a kit for a mini leechfield to discharge basement sumps, everyone in KC would buy one. Our city is well known for poor infrastructure, flooded basements, level yards, and no way to daylight discharge lines (no ditches, swales, storm drains, barely any curbs.). Outdoor sumps & dry wells are a little out of reach for most of us. No pressure, lol. Seriously, love the vids! Keep up the good work! Thank you!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I try to read every comment and respond to every comment. I take into consideration all ideas our KZbin community has to share and contributes. I will consider making a mini leach field kit. Appreciate you.

[@cinderblock4real]

@FRENCHDRAINMAN Thank you! I feel special now. You rule, and your crew is awesome! Keep on showing that darn water where to go 😃

[@oregongoldhunter]

Outstanding install. Excellent video. Thank you

[@jericosha2842]

You are a God send. Thanks to you and your crew.

[@editrento1]

Great video, this is going to help me out a lot in my own yard. I’m looking forward to purchasing your products. “This system’s gonna Rip!!”

[@DK85]

Another great video. 👍

[@dustbat]

What a great video. Learning a lot. (some too late) Trust is built from watching these videos.🦇

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you for commenting and sharing. I appreciate it.

[@dustbat]

Never too old to learn. Too old to do stuff myself but can find how stuff is done.🦇

[@brentbennett8577]

Great video man! Textbook installation…with 3” laterals for increased water velocity and everything. Rock on man

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you

[@yetanotheremail]

If these guys were in Mass I would have hired them without any hesitation

[@RandyLott]

I'm in NH. I'd buy their pipe in an instant if shipping wasn't so much! It's such a shame there's nothing else close to as good.

[@jaredrobinson3019]

Great video! Thanks! Installing my first French drain system for a customer in a couple weeks and just ordered all the supplies from y’all today. 😃

[@FNGMOTO]

I need to get you guys down to my house in Savannah GA, it would make a great video.

[@rcook2608]

Clean grass is a good sign of a great job

[@user-ei9vu9nc9u]

Nice job! 👍 you guys do awesome work! 👌 😊 wish you were here in nj. Could really use your expertise.

[@Cookiedon15]

I'm learning a lot by watching these videos. I am doing my own yard drain so I bought from your store. So my flooding problem is my patio, and it is literally an uphill battle; the slope of the yard goes down to the patio. It's been a long time (over 3 months, now?) of planning and re-planning on top of digging hard clay under the dirt (I'm in SoCal btw). But I am making progress. I hope to have it done this weekend

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWeolIyXfKmVpa8si=7sayBEzdwcWxe8Eg

[@keith3925]

Wish you were in Rapid City 🙂

[@GotCamel]

Wish you guys were in Massachusetts

[@andrewina6737]

Amazing stuff. Just got all my FDM stuff here in Minnesota! Doing a 3 system install like this. Quick question: for your in-line catch basins, do you also drill small holes at the bottom? I see that you did drill holes for the roof runoff system before it reached the main line

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes, small holes, 3/8"

[@gregjohnson7550]

So I’m actually going to be installing a system exactly like this, this is perfect timing! My question is, instead of using the catch basins to catch the surface water, can I use blind inlets instead? I was going to use catch basins at each downspout (to catch the shingle gravel), but I was thinking of using blind inlets to catch the surface water.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

That all depends on the amount of surface water you are trying to capture. Blind inlets work well, and we usually install them and let the grass grow over them because, by that time, the grass has grown through the double-punched fabric. The water falls into the system through gravity and capillary action.

[@jonathankoehler598]

Thanks for another great video. Question. I live in Wisconsin and in my City we don't have storm drains in our backyards. What's the best way to discharge a french drain system like the one you installed in this video?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I will make you a video. Stay tuned.

[@oldschoolhomesteadfarm2683]

Would like to see if you can get this to go into a tank for use later for gardening water

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5iUeYuulLmksLssi=5MrdSaklnYFJibM9

[@citicubes]

Thank you! Another great video! Can I deposit a french drain into an underground downspout that hugs the wall of my home? Should I be concerned that the downspout will back feed into the french drain?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3zVhpimndOUlcUsi=AaxuXVlF_6NkIWH6

[@michaelrobell8106]

Great video and very helpful information. I wish you could service my area in Northville, Michigan. If you don’t mind providing, how much did this job cost?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Jobs typically run 5k-10k

[@Scharf-ps4iz]

can you do a video showing how to establish elevation and digging the trenches?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbHXmdthbSkmNEsi=NqN29B7AR8BEeSUb

[@RockyGrayJr]

You've probably have seen this recommendation many times, but I'll speak my mind. You should license or franchise your methodology. I would love to have a company like yours in Virginia!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGOYdK14oreIe9ksi=2lh5J3su68SKwFuM

[@adamnonnenmacher7774]

When should a roof drain system be used as a closed yard drain vs discharged at a pop up into a French drain? Does it ultimately come down to how much water you need to evacuate? I’ve seen in other videos you just discharge roof water into French drains via pop ups. I am thinking of starting my own drainage business in TX, and your knowledge has been invaluable. Thanks so much so far.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I have some great videos coming up. Stay tuned.

[@HealthSupercharger]

Why not use schedule 40 PVC pipe for the solid drain pipe? Or HDR 35 pipe. Is it because if the freeze. And thaw cycles

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BX_ZMbxsYVB6CNFoeAmuPxX&si=C7GyerDq9AwAiCAF

[@jonandmichal]

I want to see this in action! Is there any follow up showing the system’s performance?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUpFHCLJ_sUFTqw1WoXu1Vz&si=jTOcqQxHgvW2ER1L

[@collinschiropractic]

This is a great video and I will be installing a similar system along with a curtain French drain. Two questions: 1. Do you have to dig a little further down right underneath the catch basins to keep the proper slope in the yard drain pipes? 2. If your French drain trench is 14” wide why do you always seem to put the yard drain on top of the two perforated pipes? Why not all three pipes side by side?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

The first answer to the first question is visible. The men are holding the catch basins as they’re packing stones around them so they can set the slope. The second answer to the second question is that the outside diameter of a 4-inch pipe is 4 and a half inches. When you put two together, you can get a little bit of stone along the sides of them, which is what I want. I want a good soil filtration zone.

[@collinschiropractic]

Thanks. The second answer makes sense to me. I guess I will have to see when I get these catch basins. Sometimes in your videos it looks like because of the height of the catch basins they seem to hit the bottom of the trench and force the pipe upward and you lose the slope of the pipe.

[@MadjikMan56]

What do you cover the french drain with if you don't have or want sod? After overlapping the fabric can you put decorative rock on top? I need to build a french drain to help mitigate the run off from my neighbor's downspout which pours onto my property. I want to move that water away from my foundation but there's no sod or lawn. (live in Colorado)

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXFJKxV1EfanZ1Q-lZ1SODD&si=u61lfluWa-LS9YVs

[@Dontbethat1Guy]

How do you like the ground protection mats vs plywood in some of your past year's videos? Any pros/cons to look for, or brands that seem to work best? I use 48" wide equipment for residential work and have been thinking about getting a couple dozen mats rather than continuing to chew up plywood.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I wish I would have done it a lot sooner. kzbin.infojV2ufNERsYc?si=OV2wHUfCLkd1foti

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.infojV2ufNERsYc?si=OV2wHUfCLkd1foti

[@StevieG21]

Do you ever leave a French drain system with rock all the way to the top to help capture lots of run off or do you always put grass over and space out the top water round 4” inlets? Curious about this as well as making a swale for that French drain. Thanks!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXFJKxV1EfanZ1Q-lZ1SODD&si=et8Yiudxx1mlBgPW

[@olinmartinsen5867]

Do the perforated lines and the solid lines from the downspouts all tie into one line as it falls away from the house towards the lake?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes

[@noahgamble7783]

Great work. How do you present the design to the client? Do you use paper, software? Or do you just explain it in person?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

That's how my channel started originally. I would make videos and I could show the homeowners on an iPad. Of course, things ahead involved the online store. But originally, all the channel was for is presentation and education of what it was we were quoting.

[@noahgamble7783]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN that’s honestly pretty smart. Preciate the response

[@Nidkidful]

I'm a new homeowner with some drainage issues, and I was wondering, do you suggest using a system like this with dry wells for surge capacity in SE Michigan, given that I don't have much of anywhere down slope I can go with most of my drains, since I'd have to go through the septic field to get to the front ditch. I know I have to fix the grading over time, but I'd like to get the water away from the house as soon as practical. It also looks like your 2x3 downspout cleanouts can be cut out to accept a 3x4 downspout, is that correct?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Downspout Cleanout and Leaf Filter Gutter Leaf Guard frenchdrainman.com/product/downspout-leaf-filter-clean-out/ Leech fields for yard drainage are really tricky in Michigan. Our clay soil doesn't allow for much percolation.

[@dsmevo2003]

Looks good. What if you don’t have access to a storm drain? Where do you run all that water? I have an alleyway behind my house, would running it out to my alleyway be good.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes. We have run drains to alleyways. Sometimes, it's better to pump to the front street. There are too many factors involved, so it's hard for me to say which is best for you.

[@bamacaluso]

Do you have contact suggestions for someone to do this in Louisville KY? Need help

[@mohammadnimer2552]

I feel like the hardest thing about this is grading. You mentioned a 1 inch drop for every 8 feet of distance. What do you begin with? 12 inches? For example, if you had 140 feet where do you start and what would you expect to end at?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

"Seven to ten inches deep is a good starting point. You can build a drain that's flat as long as it slopes at the discharge end. I really need to make more videos about that."

[@mohammadnimer2552]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN got it. Would you recommend grading before or after installing the French drain? I have specific areas of pooling, but there are some areas that are uneven. Also, I am purchasing a downspout kit and was wondering whether to get the 3 x 4 or the 2 x 3?

[@shawnquesta8356]

curious, why reduce the pipe between the downspout leaf filter and the first cleanout / trap down to 3"?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6SydpljndqIhsUsi=GNWW-k0qP84f7B1z

[@shawnquesta8356]

​@@FRENCHDRAINMAN thank you, got it...

[@TJ-vf8tz]

What brand of wheel barrels do you use?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

www.brentwoodindustries.com/products/construction/wheelbarrows/

[@tabanderson5148]

I read about vertical drains. I have HUGE runoff issues (you can see some of the issue on my page). Any info on those? A French drain for my issue is going to be $20,000 BUT I think it will go more than that because of a retention pond in my neighbors complex.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Unfortunately, those vertical drains do not work in clay. Many of the people who made videos about them are just using those videos as clickbait.

[@oldschoolhomesteadfarm2683]

Just to let you know that they make a side dump bucket for your machine. I rented one and made my machine time half.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

👍

[@dessertbooger9397]

Love the videos, it’s great to see one company that gives a shit to do the work right the first time and make it last decades. One question I have is how do you feel about the ADS 24-36 arc chambers for dry pits, soak aways?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

If they're installed properly and you can afford them, I think they're great.

[@chefboyardi6597]

Any companies you'd recommend near Pittsburgh PA?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Call 248-505-3065 main office they would know

[@luthercunningham4004]

does the leaf filter to double wall need to be taped? I see and understand double wall to not-a-90 requires tape. it doesn’t look like the leaf filter to double wall is taped in the videos.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We never taped the leaf filter to the dual-wall riser. It isn't necessary. Thank you for watching, commenting, and contributing.

[@northjerseykevin3915]

Do you think a French drain placed 5 ft from the house / footer would catch water or is that to far ? 5 1/2 foot deep to the footer. Water is getting into my basement. Super high water tables this year and the ground is saturated. Downspouts we’re clogged for a long time. Ground is saturated.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BWSyew4JyZuxDpBvULztf91&si=ubi-ubbdh_vUuVq-

[@MRM5J]

In a video you made a few years back you mentioned not going deeper and deeper and using risers. What changed your mind?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BVX2cpGD7wJqH37RSS1JAOz&si=hRjvCLUGyqbKOkN_

[@Bear_83]

Yall need to do a north/ northeast tour. My yard so saturated afer heavy rain drainage in my yard is shot. Pipe is collapsed behind my retainer wall. PVC pipe popping out the ground hole facing upward. So much water holding in ground. Mosquito haven and lots of moss. Come on down

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you for your support. We are getting networked with contractors all over the country. Call 248-505-3065 to find a contactor near you.

[@djslandscaping4307]

L

[@Verzula]

How many linear feet was this project and how much did it cost to install all this? Just so we know how much it would be. With materials labor and everything! Thanks bud

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

All of our jobs run between 5k and 10k.

[@alexc5369]

Someone told me to leave the ends of the slotted pipe exposed above the ground so i can periodically jet it out for maintenance - is this wrong? Do these things need maintenace like cleaning out?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

If you install it the way we show you, you will not need to maintain your French drain.

[@dustinwassner822]

So it looks like you don’t need to go below the frost line? Been trying to research this and I’ve read mixed opinions…

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Anyone who goes below the frost line with a yard drain doesn't know what they're doing.

[@ProudDadVet]

I just bought a Bar (tavern) in Adams County WI. The (all gravel) parking lot slopes towards the building and when it rains, all the water stands right at the main entrance and goes INTO the bar. The township wants me to divert it away from the main street, which means taking it (somewhat) up hill to the back empty field. QUESTION: Can I run a French drain to a catch basin (with a sump) to pump that water far away?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWeolIyXfKmVpa8si=0Z6QQm3M-mjByUQE You need to cut a swell and take the water around the building.

[@ProudDadVet]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN We actually do have a swell, the problem is, it is right in front of the entire building where people park and have to walk through to enter the bar. We are about 3 - 4ft below the main roads (we are a corner lot basically in a bowl). Our real only option is to remove the water (maybe by force). Behind the bar is a mini golf course we are about to put in.

[@mitchell4217]

i thought the larger stone was better because it doesn't slip through the french drain slits.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

When using a lot of tubing, you need small stones to lock it all together.

[@everettebinger5956]

Approximately how much would something like this cost?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

All our work is usually between 5 and 10,000.

[@mister-perfect]

Perhaps some rain footage to see the results?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUpFHCLJ_sUFTqw1WoXu1Vz&si=rvK66a2sDo_bsGwf

[@mister-perfect]

💪🏽

[@MrModTwelveFoot]

What type of tape are you using for the joints? Searching for 4" plumbers tape doesn't bring up great results.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

FDM's 200 Year Plumbing Tape - Extra Sticky & Extra Stretchy frenchdrainman.com/product/4-x-108-fdms-200-year-tape/

[@MrModTwelveFoot]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Aha, I guess I hadn't scrolled far enough on your site. Thank you.

[@northjerseykevin3915]

I’ll be calling the number you dropped in the comments. I live in northeast NJ. Hopefully I can find someone. Elevation is not in my favor at my house. I’m thinking I have to install a lift station to do it right.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I just talked to a contractor in NJ today. We ran a background check, and we are in the process of onboarding him. He has a 5 star rating. Call in one week. 248-505-3065 Thanks

[@BROG8]

Until you show this system in operation during a HEAVY RAIN it can't be appreciated.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUpFHCLJ_sUFTqw1WoXu1Vz&si=Z7tZRFdooIne5aUi

[@hyper-1]

Can you show us a system in use when it's pouring rain out. Thx

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUpFHCLJ_sUFTqw1WoXu1Vz&si=u2Jt6IoIlmzcplLp