How To Build a French Drain That Lasts FOREVER

[@Fredlocal80]

So where do u buy pipe?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Best French Drain and Yard Drainage Contractor frenchdrainman.com/

[@mattboulay9386]

This guy owns a non-woven geotextile filter fabric factory, doesn't he?

[@JJSWalker]

I appreciate that you call out things that are appropriate or not appropriate based on geography or climate. Textile fabrics should be in that category. Non-woven geo-textiles are not appropriate in some areas (the South) because the punched holes will clog with clay. Woven textiles allow small particles through, but if you provide a clean-out, those particles can be cleaned out before the pipe clogs. Once a filter fabric clogs its done and the drain doesn't work. Cleanouts are more work, but that's a system that will last in this area. Multi-million dollar commercial projects specify woven fabric systems; that should tell you something.

[@juanhorsey1433]

Thank you French Drain Man. I ordered the high octane pipe and the non woven geo textile fabric several years ago and installed it by myself with the help of my tractor and my yard now drains within an hour compared to days .

[@cathytiffany7592]

Thank you for all the tips! I'm doing this myself and DO NOT want to mess it up :-)

[@primoservices5636]

Very nice work I have redone many french drains myself and just when you thought you seen it all you do another job that you just can't get your mind around what they were thinking. I learned a couple things here even though I been doing french drains for 25 yrs.with great success. Great content very professional and much appreciated. Keep up the good work !

[@Wildspirit2016]

Do add more soil than this guy back in? If you lay the sod right on top of the geotech how is it supposed to "catch"?

[@Nphen]

@@Wildspirit2016 They cut 2 and a half inches down on the initial cut through the sod. This gives them the whole root system and an inch of soil. The grass that bridges over the drain gap will have nutrients running off from the whole yard, and plenty of water underneath.

[@jmarz5629]

Excellent videos! You have addressed most of my questions and concerns about the installation process as well as many design details. I only wish we had you and your crew here in upstate New York. All of the “professional” contractors here are doing it wrong. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this information online.

[@jimjackson8035]

I've done geotech work for years. Everything you said is correct and right on the money. Looks like you guys do great work. I just had a roofing contractor do a footing (curtain) drain at our home. He thought he was helping us out when I was working out of town. Well, when I got home, I found the drain wouldn't even drain any water. Come next spring, I'll be doing it myself again.

[@michaelbrock3374]

You have done an excellent presentation with great detail explaining exactly why each item is done in a particular way. An engineered solution. this is the first video that has been done with great accuracy. Thank you for the detailed knowledge.

[@KenCutway]

How about a sumpump tied into your style French drain to a canal

[@amhungry2163]

Great post. I really like how you used photographs instead of video to illustrate your points. The former inevitably leads to videos that are too long. I am trying to design something for my sister’s driveway and I wonder if you can answer a few questions. -What about frost heave mitigation for a trench that is above the frost line? Foam board insulation at the bottom of the trench? If so, what about not using a pipe and just burrito-wrapping the stone and insulation board? What extra function does the pipe perform? -Can you explain how laying the pipe directly on the fabric prevents frost heave? I assumed that a layer of stone, because it’s so porous, allows for expansion/contraction. -Will the geotextile fabric clog up eventually? -How do you cut your turf? Do you use a manual sod cutter, or an attachment to your machines? Thanks again!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Watch "French Drain 101 - Everything You Need to Know!" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHe8m2qpl9KLfck

[@dorinb4085]

Man you are thorough. Definitely investigating to do a DIY!! Thank you for the many insights into ground water management❤

[@patsykravitz2676]

You're sure you can't pass through NC and work with my yard? I have clay soil so I really appreciate this video.

[@scoutingturtleisland]

You 'da man, French Drain Man. This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Store | French Drain Systems | Curtain Drains | Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, St. Clair County frenchdrainman.com/store/

[@DirtyDirtbath]

Oh geeze so I really do need the fabric, thank you for the URL

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHe8m2qpl9KLfcksi=XnLWaO4OvtwR36rU

[@kevinrogers7650]

Great job and an even better explanation as to why you do the things you do. Being an engineer, I already knew these things, and I spec out exactly what materials and construction techniques are to be followed by drainage contractors. People don't much care about drainage, until they have water problems, then they're ready to sue any and everybody involved. As I do most of my work in NH, we also have to provide a Radon elimination system, subsurface. Interestingly, though I did oversee an install of one of these radon systems, the house contined to have abnormally high radon levels. It took so detective work, but the culprit ended up being the granite countertops. Certain slabs of granite are radioactive, moreso than other slabs. My two cents.

[@brianfitzpatrick8448]

My friend I have watched 20 of your videos. I love watching your crews work. You sound like a nice guy but yesterday I watched 10 videos of you explaining how great that trenching method was. You were 100 % on that ditch which. I almost ordered one today, for drains. Man yesterday videos showed all round stone.I’m getting confused. Thanks again for the video.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHe8m2qpl9KLfck

[@thelovebugs9388]

"...A junky for tools..!" I used to joke with customers that they were taking me to the hobby store.

[@embwee]

French Drain Man Guy: "I wish I had all that time back for when I had to say, 'non-woven geotextile filter fabric' every 20 seconds!"

[@ronparasolejr.5364]

And “we haul our dirt away!”

[@annmedis4449]

Thank you for your invaluable information. This helped me tremendously.

[@breebw]

3:43 "Soil taken away". This is a key point. When people ask, I tell them when they get drainage done, that no soil will be put back in, as the trench will contain only fabric, pipe and stone. One company I saw lays down a seed impregnated fabric on top which is pretty cool.

[@jackofmanytrades4396]

I'm installing one right now around a cellar in heavy clay. I just came here to confirm my notion that I had to fill the whole eight foot deep trench with track ballast.

[@jackofmanytrades4396]

@KC DANIEL It's, I guess, a daylight basement. Below ground on three sides, with the bottom of the pour being about 7'4" below grade.

[@BigIdeasLittleTime]

Extremely helpful - have a place up in Northern MI - your video will be my guide

[@donttrackmebro6164]

I would like to see a demo of this working. Run a hose over it and show us the water coming out the end. Does the water really soak through that landscape fabric and into the gravel trench?

[@garybrooks2753]

I like how you used plywood to keep from tearing the yard up, my contractor messed up the yard so bad they had to bring in a grader to to grade out my front and back yards and throw out some WEED seeds. What a mess!

[@AJTramberg]

You lay the sod straight back over the burrito without allowing for another 2-3" of topsoil? That seems like the roots would struggle for water.

[@johncurran2897]

Not to mention, its liable to get punctured by an aerator

[@douglas60040]

Yes, but soil won’t freeze on top, creating a barrier for water in the spring. Mine is like that in a couple areas and I have to be aware of this and it works.

[@GiovanniGiorgo]

What kind of fabric is it?

[@drottster]

Great video and great system! I wish I could hire you for my drainage problems. I had a quick question: What if you don't have a natural slope to the street or curb? My front yard slopes towards my house. Would I have to put in a collection box and pump?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes a out door sump pump system. kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXXbPw3Vf7e86DbKj7qOnLn

[@hc9987]

Great video. Wish you guys were in my area.

[@bigbeef8935]

Damn I wish you were in Ohio, awesome work man

[@frogpelt]

Yes but, do you guys use a non-woven geo-textile filter fabric?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXWZPUFUNw6SMI64dtHlhzl&si=yK12GSOTQY1zLSbc

[@georgebarrera9653]

I know that thumb was in pain a while back. Great video

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you

[@garygarcia7484]

Brother I need you to do my French drain here in nc 👌🏼

[@theleftofus7222]

Wow!! You guys make it seem expensive and complicated, all those machinery and I guess engineers! I hate to ask how much was this job!!

[@themotorcycleguy5980]

True

[@Nphen]

The equipment used is actually very small. Those small excavators can be bought used for less than a late model used car. These drains are meant to last 100 years or longer. Cheap drains fail within 5 to 10 years.

[@williegates627]

Those "small excavators" are selling for $20,000.00 online used in terrible condition. $35,000.00 if you want to go like new or new. What kind of "used car" are you talking about LOL???

[@mas5867]

I agree, it seems like overkill. Hell, remove the sod, dig a trench, fill with pea gravel. How many hours, if any, after a rain would the water still be visible. I'm betting 0. Its like they are trying to ready the area for immediate foot traffic.

[@mas5867]

Besides, the pipe would always be the weakest link. Neighbor has heavy as.s truck crush the pipe or some how debris gets introduced. Forget the pipe and wrap. Water will find the rocks and seep through after the downpours stop.

[@Jacknjellify531.]

Seems like the longevity of a french drain solely rests on geo textile fabric. Any alternatives, cause its not easily available in my country.

[@thedrewwitt]

great info

[@-Enrico]

Look very professional bud.

[@robertstovall7195]

We do French foundation drainage with perforated PVC, similar. One issue is that it drains too well. The grass yellows over the excavation in dry conditions

[@Wildspirit2016]

One would think that there would have to be more dirt over top of everything so the sod could " catch and get roots in again

[@milessweeden2653]

Wish you were in Utah

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXWZPUFUNw6SMI64dtHlhzl&si=EruHFdpHp3PnCEOX

[@SleepyJoeisSlow]

Kudos on the views. Thanks for the info!

[@ronparasolejr.5364]

Use PVC tile tape on the corrugated pipe you just said sucked that the big box stores sold? Why do you have the holes up anyways? Wouldn’t the water level need to rise 6” to even get in the pipe? Should be faced downward and have the water get in and drain out faster??

[@parajeeper]

Great video!!!

[@tavis211]

Man I wish you guys were in Florida.

[@LesPetersons]

Why corrugated pipe versus PVC with holes? Mostly cost? What if you need to snake it?

[@grateful_ed]

Non Woven Geo textile Filter fabric! Everything else I have figured out.

[@brigidmccullough926]

Sorry for the novel. I've watched several of your videos. Is it legal for my neighbor to connect their subpump to a drainpipe under the ground and discharge it into the mid front of our yards/ the street? Because it has to be perforated or something because its causing my driveway to heave and our sidewalks to sink/heave. Its like I sit lower than my neighbor and his front yard slopes into my driveway and front of my garage while the side & back my house slopes into my neighbors back of his house/ back yard. They had water issues ergo why they started directing water onto my property at initially an incline... then slopes into my yard as previously said. I don't know where we can actually direct the water except to the back where it slopes but then that would flow into a 2nd neighbors back yard. The 2nd neighbors backyard/the model homes back yard is huge and the water wouldn't collect around their foundation like it does mine but idk whats legal and aloud. But running it to the street or sidewalk isn't working. Does it need to go under the sidewalk? Like I don't get it. And I probably need to install an frend drain infront of my 3rd car garage bc thats also where the water runsoff and collects but I imagine it will just fill up and get my driveway or garage wet unless I run another drain bordering my driveway. I actually had to replace my subpump this year and I've only been in my home for 3 years.... it's being overworked and obviously taking in some of my neighbors water. I don't even think the street is low enough to properly collect the water. And I also don't recall the pipe being wrapped or gravel or sand used. We have a pretty high clay content in Eastern Nebraska which the builder denies but lol its definitely not Iowa or Michigan black dirt I can tell ya that much.

[@rachelharriott5101]

Does anyone know the approximate cost it would be to drain a half acre swamp area? I would imagine it's based on square footage or acreage. Thanks

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

There are too many variables. Need to do a site evaluation.

[@cleftoftherock6797]

Good stuff.

[@cindymilam800]

I wish you were near our area. We're in Rockmart, GA and looking for a contractor that will help us with drainage problems on our house...

[@jtcusa7288]

I want you to install a French drain at my house and I live in the desert lol

[@wafflesmartano]

Thanks!

[@stevemitchell145]

How long will u complain about the trencher?

[@choimdachoim9491]

My problem here in Southeastern Louisiana is that I'm on level ground, high water-table and nowhere to take the water to. The house sits in mud most of the year and is sinking into the ground at odd angles for 40 years..

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Build a Berm around the house and have a pump system inside the Berm to de-water the house. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXXUZpeDndeAa7M

[@choimdachoim9491]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Thanks. That's the exact conclusion I've come to after watching several of yours and other's videos. I told wife yesterday that we should make a berm lake and pump the drain water into it because there's no other place to send it.

[@melletard]

PVC vs perferrated hose. I am having to redo mine. Drains put in before I moved in. Just corragated hose buried without lining or gravel. so its full of roots and mud.

[@roncaprio2569]

I missed what about the frost heave? u said it was 2 feet deep?where I am we have a deeper then that frost line.

[@carterfrance6924]

I’m building a 75 French drain. I’d like to tie a Corrugated pipe behind a retaining wall into the top of my French drain (high point of French drain). Should I use a wye connection? Or just dump the retaining wall pipe onto a blind inlet for my French drain? Thanks.

[@marianocarciofolo]

Thanks for the video! What type of stone (larger than normal) do you use? I wish you were nearby to help!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5jcfZ2tq7hol5o

[@mercedescherokee6853]

@ 2:58 yea that water was never going to define gravity, those installers were just being silly

[@bmaher4882]

What is the best way to cut down on ground water that is 4ft below grade? Trying to keep my cottage from heaving with the frost.

[@christophersutton6703]

Hello. I like your videos. If you have an area prine to alot if surface water along an area of 80 feet, would you suggest gravel all the way to the surface (no dirt on top)? My thinking is the clay we dug out would just prevent a large portion of the surface water from reaching the non woven cloth. Gravel would redirect the water down to the pipe. Thank you sir.

[@GotEmAll1337]

This video was (mostly) very helpful, but you never covered what kind of fabric we need to use.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Store | French Drain Systems | Curtain Drains | Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, St. Clair County frenchdrainman.com/store/

[@jtreedog409]

i have a lot of trees so some places no grass so what would cover the burrito stone with dirt since the grass want grow ?

[@HondaMechanic1]

What kind of filter fabric is that again ..

[@brandiszablewski5880]

What are your feelings on the EZ-Drain Prefabricated French Drain with Pipe gravel-free drainage system "saves labor by 50% 30% higher flow rate than gravel French Drains"....how long do they last before they are needing repairs and do they last in sandy soil?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Go to KZbin "WARNING!!!! French Drain Failure "

[@felipedarciepereira5505]

Nice video, congrats! However I got here from your FarmCraft101 Solar Video Series and I believe this video is unrelated to that.

[@jwall62]

I wish you guys were near me in New England......

[@traitorjoseph1893]

How was the harvest? Lol

[@wnieder5041]

Excellent vid and advice! I also like the way FDM shuck in the marketing! :

[@DieselZee]

I have a hill leading to my house. Water rushes down the hill and hits the house. Would a French drain like this catch the flowing water and prevent it from reaching my house? Thanks.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWeolIyXfKmVpa8si=T6kmExoUmNXSOurK

[@justinmackintosh9415]

Whats the maximum distance between the top of the burrito wrap and ground level before the water cant flow through it properly, i see you say yours are 2.5 inches as thats the thickness of the grass you cut out but can you go thicker than that? Or does the dirt stop the water getting through to the filter fabric, thanks from NZ

[@cryengine_x]

im no expert but i did stay at a holiday in express last night, i mean watch a lot of french drain youtubes. Anyway one good point I learned is that actually a lot of the water youre draining is ground water from the water table rising UP into the pipe. Thats why perforated pipe has holes at the BOTTOM and all around. For surface water (aka, a pool or big puddle) I think youre more wanting catch basins. So in conclusion I'm not sure LOL, but probably the exact depth you bury the pipe isnt that important.

[@greenspiraldragon]

what about the drain pipe that has the fake foam agreagate that is pre-wrapped unit?

[@douglas60040]

I’ve thought of this for mine, but I like solid ground under the pipe so the water doesn’t just pass by the tile. It may work as a drainage field to disperse the water into the surrounding ground however.

[@staceygalbraith4953]

Wish you were located in Texas! Can you recommend a like minded company in the San Antonio Area?

[@evan1788]

Do you ever get the sod dying from heating up the rock below?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Only if the homeowner doesn't have sprinklers. What we prescribe in a case like this with no sprinklers is to water the grass during the drought season.

[@kylelariviere3716]

What size aggregate do you use?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

@Kyle Always use Round Rock. The bigger the rock the larger the void for water to move.

[@maryberner9756]

Great video. Would it help to also add rock to bottom or trench before laying down the fabric?

[@thelegand1]

I’m renovating my garden because there was an 8-10 layer of clay under ~10 inches of top soil, after 2 years the soil has become saturated and is now ruined. I’ve taken all the ruined soil and clay out and I’m now left with a 20 inch excavation plus a soakaway which I have centred in the middle. I’m putting down a layer of drainage gravel on the base and having that channel towards to soakaway, and on top of that premium quality top soil. I’m thinking 8 inch layer of gravel and 12 inch layer of soil with a pourous membrane separating them. Would this be ok to grow grass on? Many thanks

[@deborahholroyd6495]

Tell me you'll come to California...Nevada county????

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4ippmZvZ55roZIsi=kjdunPW-AVYbKP89

[@jamesvickery1574]

How do you put a French drain combine with two catch drains 12x12. Please

[@MikeyM1422]

Question: o live I Delaware. Having a house built. Mh house sits high and the only way to run drain pipes is down hill. How do i get this water from down spouts to a safe place without affecting neighbors? Should i do a pop-up?

[@ironring1955]

With such awesome advice, I thought I would give this a shot. The first purchase I made of materials was supposedly 1 in river rock but what I received was 12 tons of pea gravel with some larger chunks mixed in. I suspect it will drain but it won't cover very much distance as opposed to the larger gravel. I wonder, what advice would you give to those who are ordering gravel for the first time sight unseen?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

1 1/2" screened round rock

[@richer4poorer]

I need an insight on a small water issue in my basement. Under heavy rains three of four corners seep water. If I have CLAY hauled in and raise the grade 1' from ground zero out to about 8-10' will a french drain be needed or should I simply put in a recommended downspout system while raising the grade? Thanks

[@___tom___]

Is there any specific type of fabric we should use? I didn’t catch it.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Non-woven Geotextile Fabric in 4 oz and 8 oz frenchdrainman.com/filter-fabric/

[@Espiritiv]

Great videos. I had a contractor that sized the drainage as 6" then wanted to bring it down to 4" at the end. I like your Y into two 4". It makes zero sense to downsize outlet smaller than the system. I was going to ask. How do you staple fabric in the end? Just U staples pressed down?

[@whiskeyblood7258]

After excavation, do you compact the bottom of the sub soil?

[@jake_of_the_jungle9840]

Somebody please help! So if I’m only using the pipe to take away downspout water do I still need to do all of this as long as the inside of the pipe is clean right? I bought a 50 foot wrapped 4 inch perforated pipe and a 12x12 grate for the water downspout to drop into. I’m going to fill gravel around the grate tho and use a filer inside the grate

[@pergal4]

Awesome suggestions. How much would be the cost for a 60 foot straight line along the perimeter ? I live off VA....just a ball park idea would be great.

[@tomvazquez87]

Awesome video. How would you recommend crossing utilities with a quad of the blue pipe?

[@CupidFromKentucky]

Would the same thing happen to the filter fabric over time? Could the dirt ever plug the fabric so water won't get through?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

@Cupid NOT IF YOU USE THE RIGHT FABRIC

[@jacksanders7728]

My home in St Petersburg FL is just 7 feet above sea level and my slope from home to street is likely two feet or less (measuring tomorrow), so dispersing water during heavy rains/storms is important. Would burying the drain pipe one to two feet below ground, cover with rock, wrap both in non-woven geotextile fabric, then add some more rock on top be adequate? Grass grows everywhere here with or without soil so a couple handfuls of soil on top produces grass in a few days. Thanks.

[@ginofoogle6944]

go for it

[@MyBeansAndToast]

The back of my property receives a lot of water from surrounding sump discharges as well as rain and snow melt. It appears to have sunken lower than the next property down, which is where it should be running to drain to the street. Everyone else has a nice little stream and I have a lake. My soil is very marshy quite a ways away from the standing water when it's there. What can I do to keep the water moving off of my property? It seems to me a line needs to be installed all the way across all of our lots, but especially across the one between ours and the street.

[@Wildspirit2016]

I think you should raise your grade as high as you can, cut swales into the grade and install sumps in the low areas of the property

[@dungeoncartographer1759]

What kind of fabric do I need?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

@Dungeon Go to our online store Frenchdrainman.com

[@Mangold2865]

If I’m doing a basic 50ft long French drain with the low end emptying into a driveway, do I cap the high end or just leave it open?

[@jamesbabineau9767]

Where are you located? I have big problems with a section of my yard. Always wet and muddy

[@ShaneHubber85]

Man I wish you guys were here in SC, I have a awful problem with my backyard. Every time it rains it just ponds up. They cut into a bank to build my house, so I have a steep bank 30 ft off the back of my house. So water from the bank and water from grade of my house meets.. and it becomes a natural pond. It’s awful, and no one around here has been half as informative as your videos. I’m just not sure if I need to do the French drain along the whole bottom of the bank, about 160ft. Do I use 4 or 6 inch? And does it need to be capped in the center and released at the ends facing my slope?? I’m to the point of digging it myself and forking out the money and buying your pipe and wrap.

[@StormKingPNW]

Awesome video, thanks for the great tips! Do you have recommendations for which specific non-woven geotextile fabric and drain pipe to use, and where to get them? I can Google of course, but it looks like you have some great materials to "last forever" as you put it. I was also planning on using 5/8" chip gravel - is that big enough?

[@GREEnT704]

I noticed the area code for your number is based in Michigan. Would you happen to know of any reputable french drain experts in South Carolina?

[@marcusroot2827]

What if you don't have grass, and only have Virginia red clay/dirt? I have a new build that has yet to have grass planted on it. How much clay/dirt should I fill over the rock if any, and should I put my clay over it, or truck in some top soil?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

You need a sprinkler system to grow grass over a good French Drain. No clay put back over the Drain just topsoil mixed with sand.

[@1976DannyG]

Greetings from Thornton Colorado. Nice video. I don’t require a French drain or at least I don’t think so. My dilemma is this. I would like to direct water from my gutter downspouts. If I have a gutter connection to solid pvc pipe, pitch it correctly and run approximately 20 ft to exit ( no pop up lol) would this suffice? I could also simply drain water through dry stream to street.

[@johnhill7480]

Live in Florida in a very fine sand area with water table around 15'-20' no limestone or clay near surface. Do I need to back fill with gravel? The soil naturally drains very quickly but will overload the surface during heavy rainfall. What is the best method for my area?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

@John H Go to my playlist watch HOW TO COMBINE YARD DRAIN WITH A FRENCH DRAIN

[@JimmieJohn]

How do I find someone in Arkansas that installs french drains using your method and materials?

[@gary24752]

I am in central New York. What make of wrap, pipe and size of stone (#2 or 1A) do you use? I have yet to see anyone carry the yellow colored pipe.

[@AikenBruce]

biggest you can get

[@AikenBruce]

make your own holes or make the holes bigger like with a screwdriver

[@emilydetraglia7512]

me too. cny. I'm wondering the same things