How to Install a French Drain that Actually Works! DIY Project

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Best French Drain and Yard Drainage Contractor frenchdrainman.com/

[@horsge01]

Would love to see a before and after during a storm

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUpFHCLJ_sUFTqw1WoXu1Vz

[@jeremyclarkson6035]

I had a heavy rain today and had 8 inch deep puddles behind my house, with a French drain I won’t need to run a dehumidifier 9months of the year.

[@TheFairAgent]

I live in Lapeer Michigan, your work is phenomenal. These videos are helping me prepare to fix a neglected drainage issue. Thanks

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thank you for watching

[@deathvalley1477]

​@@FRENCHDRAINMAN no water will accumulate on the space between your drain and the house? I see some of my neighbors going closer to perimeter of the house, like 1 ft away. Is this method dangerous?

[@qualitybydesign5119]

Professional Workmanship ! 🇨🇦

[@alt2584]

Nice! In New York it is against code to drain storm/rain water into a municipal waste water system. I will install a large drywell

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BU26ZMN69M_VON68JU01FZ5&si=CZx2xBF_SGv-Jccj

[@ralphpomm4943]

Definitely professionals. You guys are far and few now days. Great job, thank you for sharing.

[@bryan__m]

It's crazy to me that with all the minutiae covered by building codes these days, that the neighbors are just allowed to pour water into your yard towards your foundation.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

You have a good point. Still in some places it's like the wild west.

[@nea273]

My goodness. I do have the same situation. My neighbor backyard is higher than mine. For the years, it has been dumping water to my rear house foundation. I talked with him... and he doesn't give a flopping disk.

[@APstrak27]

I find myself here as 4 houses pour there water onto my property. I agree it should not be allowed.

[@bryan__m]

@@APstrak27ugh that sounds terrible!

[@rosspimental8384]

State’s nuisance laws would apply.

[@larryzdanis5377]

Nice video.. especially like the use of "round" rock to maintain voids, and the use of separate solid and perforated piping that merges.. Would have loved to see the final product.. I gathered that to increase drainage you were going to leave the rock exposed (as opposed to planting grass over it. I know in some other videos I've seen guys plants grass over the french drain.. maybe you could comment on if/when this is permissible (obviously for lower-flow situations then you had here.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHe8m2qpl9KLfck

[@klastic5918]

Yes, it was kind of a bummer that he didn't have the last step and the final product.

[@jerseyshoredrainagesolutions]

You’re lucky you get to break into the storm drain… can’t do that where I’m at. Nice video

[@keithp115]

Great job crew!

[@tobytylertube]

Diggin those vented downspouts

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Downspout Leaf Filter Vented Clean Out, Gutter Leaf Guard frenchdrainman.com/product/downspout-leaf-filter/

[@mashepotatoes]

Thank you for this!!!

[@TylerNolan]

Mannnn I need to have you out to my property haha!!! badly

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Thanks for watching

[@williampalchak7574]

Very informative. Thank you

[@sammeya5324]

That’s us lol. A good home in a nice neighborhood and a nice school district but the drainage is one of our problem everytime it rains especially torrential rains. Our house sits lower than the rest of the neighbor so all their water runs to ours. Though it passes our house because we have a slope out the back that goes to the storm drain, it’s still disheartening seeing that water pool in some part of the yard and our lazy river on the side. A mini pool on a carport because road is higher than our house and our drain isn’t catching up to all the waters coming Our neighbors roof water and their downspout shoots towards our property

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYXVXml-iK2Zr9Esi=JPLzCBNZi2ULZzrn

[@sammeya5324]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN thank you! You mentioned you guys do consultation for $500 how does that work? I don’t see such option in your website

[@michaelmillsap952]

Top notch work and instruction from the best in the business !!!!

[@KiloFeenix]

I noticed you didn't use gravel, is there a reason for that?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.infoiEl8AU7C150?feature=share

[@luisgonzalez8415]

Love your channel. I have a 30ft x 30ft elevated back yard on a slope and only one side has a retaining wall. A ton of water puddles on the retaining wall side of the yard. How deep do i need to go to install the french drain? Also its so much water i was thinking of adding two french drains and even an inlet drain(not sure thats the right word for it) . Let me know your thoughts.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZyUdmlvbtiEfqssi=6n5QnCvEl7G9pz5e

[@chrisrobinson5183]

Thanks

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Your welcome. Thank you for watching

[@Pr3lude9]

Why not backfill with gravel for more drainage?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXFJKxV1EfanZ1Q-lZ1SODD&si=WBiQZGm1Rf1uVgsv

[@Pr3lude9]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN wow thank you so much. I even commented on another of your videos. Basement has water in it, Pennsylvania is getting record rainfall today. Nothing like waiting till you need it to put in a drain. Haha

[@andrewina6737]

Where you back filled with dirt for the buried gutter pipe-- how do you prevent that dirt from infiltrating the french drain? Since you had to cut a hole in the geotextile fabric, how does dirt not make it's way through that hole?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZOYeYmXgr-Jj8ksi=Q-Og_Fh0HG1xMclO

[@bryanbishop1620]

Thank you. Got tips 👍👍

[@chads7619]

Thank you for all of the information! I’m digging the trench by hand now. I strung a line and have the slope just over 2% like you said. I have a natural clay base. I’ve been maintaining 9.5-10.5” so far under my string line. Would you say this is typical for a DIY? What do you like to see in the field?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbHXmdthbSkmNE

[@jasonjacobs1603]

I have an area to drain that will need to turn 90 degrees to get to the road, is this possible if slope is right?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I have a new 90° fitting that I recommend using. It will be out in 3 weeks. It allows for a higher flow rate. Stay Tuned

[@happyplantsprivategardenin9339]

I've learned a lot from your videos and I just did my first good size estimate using your system! You said you put grass over the French Drain in this video? Maybe it's more effective if you don't put anything on top of it but you can?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXFJKxV1EfanZ1Q-lZ1SODD&si=5op86qEHObLexwME

[@AJCalabria1]

omg! I wish that a certain developer and builder in Los Lunas, New Mexico had done this when it said it was going to fix the drainage issues of several of my neighbors homes. They used all the material you said not to use - but that's nothing new with the builder because all the home owners are having structural, foundation, roof trusses, roof shingle, etc., problems and the homes are all just a little over a year old. Every time the builder hires someone to "try an fix" something, they do it the wrong way, cause more problems, and make the homes worse. It's a shame the builder doesn't have the integrity that you do.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I can tell you from walking amongst contractors my whole like that most cut corners and the elite top 30% in their field do not. Get referrals

[@mikefarrell6766]

Great info, awesome step by step, great explanation. But my god the cost of this job...????

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I honestly don't remember. 6k ish

[@mikefarrell6766]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN surprisingly affordable for what I was expecting. Nice job!!

[@kirbybc12]

Any current coupons for supplies?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I recommend Kit 25 and Kit 10 for DIYERS shipping in included Best French Drain and Yard Drainage Contractor frenchdrainman.com/

[@patburton837]

Do you guys worked in South Jersey? I need a great landscaper.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We have no ties to that area. I'm sorry we are in Michigan

[@zacandmillie]

Question... what is 2 percent slope as a measurement over a distance?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbHXmdthbSkmNE

[@zacandmillie]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN From Australia I thank you. We work in metric but I have some long tape measure in Imperial inches and feet.

[@b-rad-1692]

What’s the ideal depth for this?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i53VZp-fgaqjjKMsi=a1bv83WFgRUIonGT

[@APstrak27]

Does the water pond up at the point of wye connection to the solid discharge pipe?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

No kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BXWZPUFUNw6SMI64dtHlhzl&si=WcvQsMW3uNU5bm2M

[@attacknblack1984]

I’m assuming the swale around that house didn’t work? I was surprised to find out swales don’t have your system built in from day one.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

It did for flood water. It was always wet.

[@Alwayslovn]

How much would something like this cost?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

80% of our jobs are 5k - 10k. Bigger jobs can go as high as 45k

[@IvanStambo]

Why on earth would roof run off not already go into drains? Is that not in your building regs already?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Nope 🤷

[@IvanStambo]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN wowser, you have to deal with problems caused by others then? Stressful and expensive!

[@dcollea]

I assume you all are using a sod cutter. It is always nice and crisp

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHe8m2qpl9KLfck

[@user-hn3th7cz9c]

What is the 4" tape that is used to wrap the joints?? I have never seen tape used, but love the idea...

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

4 in. x 108 ft. FDM's 200 Year Tape - Extra Sticky & Extra Stretchy - French Drain Systems | Curtain Drains | Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, St. Clair County frenchdrainman.com/product/4-x-108-fdms-200-year-tape/

[@mohammadalmomen3112]

Do you guys work in Michigan? If so, how do I get in touch with you? My house in the Kalamazoo area.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

We are on the east side of Michigan. We might have a contractor in your area call our office 248-505-3065

[@antony1103]

How wide of a trench do you recommend for 4" pipe?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Twelve-inch wide for a French drain that lasts forever.

[@BS-fs6kx]

Shouldn't the pipe also be covered with the bidim cloth to prevent soils etc getting into the pipe system ?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5vbZGmmnL-hh7s

[@adamw934]

Appreciate all your videos! I'm definitely going to be buying some materials from you. I have an interesting scenario - it's basically the exact scenario in this video (poor grading in the sideyard/backyard and water runs directly towards the house) EXCEPT that my downspouts are connected to a stormwater sewer underground (downspout drains into a PVC pipe, which runs underground into sewer). So it would be very convenient for me to build a curtain french drain that collects all of the yard runoff (running the length of the house about 4 ft off of the house - very similar to what you did in this video), connect it to a solid discharge pipe that connects into the downspout drain (running towards the house from the French drain). My question is...is it ok to run the water TOWARDS the house like this to discharge it? It seems fine in theory (since the discharge pipe running towards the house is a solid pipe), but I'm second guessing myself since I'd have to dig a trench for the discharge pipe that would aim directly at the house (potentially giving a direct path to the foundation for any water that doesn't make it into the discharge line).

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

I would have to see it to give advice. I would keep watching videos until you find what you need.

[@adamw934]

​@@FRENCHDRAINMAN Here is the exact layout of what I'm looking to do - let me know what you think! drive.google.com/file/d/1DYDSF_LsAqhhbnLQI6Db5ujvOTEHXMJI/view?usp=share_link

[@Work377]

Can you share what tape you were using?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

4 in. x 108 ft. FDM's 200 Year Tape - Extra Sticky & Extra Stretchy - French Drain Systems | Curtain Drains | Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, St. Clair County frenchdrainman.com/product/4-x-108-fdms-200-year-tape/

[@michaelporter4497]

What type of tape was used on fittings, etc. thank you!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

frenchdrainman.com/product/4-x-108-fdms-200-year-tape/

[@tdub1486]

What type of tape are you using? I’m searching for plumbing tape 4” but cannot find it, I have a drain project coming up soon and it would be super helpful!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

4 in. x 108 ft. FDM's 200 Year Tape - Extra Sticky & Extra Stretchy - French Drain Systems | Curtain Drains | Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, St. Clair County frenchdrainman.com/product/4-x-108-fdms-200-year-tape/

[@randyfreeman5650]

Why is every contractor I am talking to want to use 4 inch sdr 35 is this because I'm in California with no freeze

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes and pvc has come down in price

[@randyfreeman5650]

@@FRENCHDRAINMAN should I go ahead and go with them ?

[@laylaindy]

What I find really sad is that the neighbor's downspout is directed towards this house (for which the French drain is installed) and I wonder whether it was impossible to talk to that neighbor to change the downspout or they talked to him and he didn't want to change it. That downspout alone adds a large amount of water that drains towards the lower leveled house. Jeez, this world we live in is insane.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUqichor2QH1X_p9bBPor8D&si=_Hz0wSVGC7ohm-kY

[@creativeirrigationlighting941]

At what point do you up size your exit pipe at the drain to maybe 6" ?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

It doesn't happen often. 2) 4" pipes do the same thing, and it's easier and more cost friendly for the homeowner.

[@creativeirrigationlighting941]

Agreed and thanks.@@FRENCHDRAINMAN

[@davidgagliardo3258]

How does water run through a pipe that's full of holes?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZWkqIx4qrJ2pKssi=tqogHeI-NJ4N-dhN

[@Suddenlystan728]

This is really great, but kind of misleading to have 'DIY Project' in the title, no?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKqmkHWgbrCNd6csi=sTbn4QV87mZ6Mrqm

[@trevormcmanis]

Anyone know a reputable company who performs this work in North Jersey?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Yes, call our office for their information. 248-505-3065

[@hirehammer925]

You didn’t say anything about the fabric underneath?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/aero/PLjFCqaZ4v1BUmAXw5xwQ0zbQRPxnX0U7R&si=K9Mk4eM2E8o6qP74

[@NorthernDirtridersEnduro]

Is the high octane available in Canada?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Frenchdrainman.ca

[@ascar1469]

Great job! What's the width normally on your trenches?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

16 inches wide

[@mikeclement5383]

Does anybody happen to know the percentage of slope?

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

This will get you really close on your slope kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbHXmdthbSkmNE

[@billsalcido7878]

is there really 2,023 tips in this video?!

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

Sure

[@wayneguy6043]

It’s not a big deal……as he says…….he only charges $1500 for this , so yea no big deal

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

DIYers save a lot of $ kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHyYi5-EZbSapdksi=eR_J8deenGdcm2Yy

[@TheMatthewHughes]

Cowboys

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

🤠

[@koltonriley5929]

This is why I think DIY is near impossible without previous schooling. My basement is wet and damp and smelly, I want it bone dry, so I've been doing research on different remedies. I've seen 30+ videos of french drains and they warn you and pleed to keep the holes facing down, but in this video you have them facing up, or maybe there is holes all away around the pipe. So who's right? Holes up, holes down, or holes all around?? I have yet to find a good video where they dig to the footer of a house with a basement. I have a slightly finished basement, do I dig 1'? 2'? 6'? Too the footer? It's so complicated and all these youtube videos seem like there made for children, most of the time they spend 2 hours tell you how to dig the hole correctly (who doesn't know how to use a shovel?) And then gloss over or spend no time talking about how deep it should be. I find looking up projects like this online more and more impossible. I mean I wouldn't even have found this solution if *SOMEOME* hadn't told me about a pitch and french drain.

[@FRENCHDRAINMAN]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZWkqIx4qrJ2pKssi=oVRyB6x9nv8ytyXU