The REAL TRUTH about Geo Fabric, WARNING, May Not Be Suitable for All Viewers

[@TheLawnTools]

You sir, are so helpful! I’m putting in a drain in my yard soon. I’ve watched so many of your videos and now know that I CAN do it myself! (Thanks to you). This video answered my last question. I’ll give you a shoutout for the help in my video of my drain build. Thanks again!

[@bigbark4627]

Any1 else jus randomly watching this guy frm yet another "bizarre" KZbin recommendation? 😄 I'm hooked! 🤩

[@made4snipinator]

100%.... NO idea how I got here but I stayed for the obvious passion and enthusiasm. Thanks for teaching me something boss!

[@joshhill4903]

Hey bro hope youre doing alright. Im here too lmao

[@diyoregonnowtexas9202]

I live in Oregon. We get alot of rain and it's pure clay. What I do is cut the fabric in strips and pin them on the sides of the trench to prevent the clay from getting into the drain rock, but not the bottom so water can either come up into the pipe or drain down. drain rock in the trench, then the pipe, cover the top with drain rock, then fabric,then 3/4 crushed open (clean) rock for a nice finish look. If the customer wants soil over the pipe I never put the clay there. I cover with a sandy loam.

[@Fredjoe5]

If water is moving up into the trench from the bottom, and the bottom of the trench has no fabric, then that water is bringing contaminants with it.

[@michaeltyniec7010]

I have learned so much from watching your channel. I put in a "poor man's" system to help keep water away from my house. It's not perfect - but you gave me the encouragement and the knowledge to "get 'er done". Thank you!

[@jayhiz3514]

I love tour videos and I know you have helped so many DIY home owners like myself. I listen to every once of advice in your videos (and I have watched everyone) I was able to avoid paying 25k in exterior water proofing. I spent 5 days and 5k. Its been yrs and not a drop of water in my basement. Thank you so mutch and thank u for this video. Just remember, the trolls will always be around.

[@ES-yi8vv]

Thank you so much for all the information. Its is really well done and very helpful. My question is you always say that the french drain is for sub surface water but you test these fabrics only from the surface water point of view. If you had a stone and pipe drain wrapped with fabric would the hydrostatic pressure force the water from the clay through the fabric into the pipe and collect the subsurface water that way?

[@annsatori3429]

You have helped me so much!!!! I feel confident that I can complete my project and that your information is accurate and useful. Thanks Chuck!!

[@daltoniks]

we looking to build a driveway road up hill, what geofabric to use? i want to use the slotted pipe to the water gets drained into it, and collected at the bottom dam that we have, - could you advice quickly what to use? Also reg stone? big stones first on top of the fabric then fine agregate?

[@lindadaniels5341]

thanks for the info I think I am going to try it ....Im 60 but very limited on cash I am trying to cut costs. I was just laid off finding a job at 60 tough but I have needed to do this for a long time cant wait to get started on it. Best way to get the fall correctly is my biggest concern. Im in Tulsa surely you want to make a video here ...lots of clay and not sure if i have enough fall to carry it away ...but I will read up and watch more videos

[@IAM.Rebellion]

Man, this is the second video of yours I watch on accident, and you are awesome :) explaining the simple things. I love how you show us how to join the pipes.. I did my drain field a few years ago but now I know the stuff!!

[@viracocha03]

That coupling trick with the pipe itself was brilliant.

[@jadm110]

so south western Oregon, we have a clay area in our back yard that is a dense clay that just clings to water, ( can't dig through it) we have a french drain a short distance away and the clay just won't let the water drain. how does a home owner go about resolving this problem?

[@crujones1640]

great video... so for upnorth living... aka mud and clay michigan.. only put the cloth on the top?

[@spruce_goose5169]

11:26 This gets at the crux of fabrics. They serve best at SEPARATION. This is why using fabric to keep fine soils out of large drainage zones (bed of crush rock for example) makes perfect sense, but using it to wrap directly around the drain pipe makes less sense. I like your intuitive sense, but I will say that your bucket experiments don't really show much, besides that clay heavy soils don't pass water well. Why would we expect water to run through that pile of clay freely, just based on the fabric holding up the pile? I would challenge someone to find a material that can hold the pile of clay AND allow water to pass. You will inevitably get one of two things: 1) Something that effectively holds the clay, and therefore the clay will hold water OR 2) Something that lets water pass through freely, but with it, the sediments of the clay. You simply cannot expect ANY material to effectively hold back (separate) the clay AND allow water to pass freely, because the CLAY ITSELF IS WHAT BLOCKS THE FLOW. Moral of the story: separate your fines from your drainage areas with as much surface area as possible, or design in an allowance for fines to migrate without blocking the system immediately (often its a matter of time, however, and the addition of clean-outs may be wise).

[@northpolltv6598]

I agree that it's the clay itself that blocks the flow, but in answer to your challenge, graphene might have the physical properties for the job. Amazingly graphene blocks even the smallest atoms, helium and hydrogen, yet it allows water to pass through it. I don't know how quickly though.

[@cheefussmith9380]

exactly. if clay moved water well, we wouldn't need the drain in the first place.

[@bobloblaw7465]

I'm sure he's referring to exactly what you said. The fabric only adds resistance. It doesn't help move water. Instead of the water flowing thru the clay, into the heavy aggregate, then into the pipe. The clay will build up on top, and the rocks below will act like a strainer. If fabric is used, The clay would then just clog the fabric. Why add another resistant barrier? Obviously both systems work, but one costs more.

[@cheefussmith9380]

@@bobloblaw7465 if water directly on the fabric flows freely, it's not really adding resistance. the fabric is there to keep the clay from clogging the tubes which it absolutely will do eventually

[@Fredjoe5]

@@bobloblaw7465 There's no indication that the fabric is "getting clogged".

[@lorenzo42p]

14:00 I'm no expert, but I don't care for that coupling trick. putting a piece of pipe inside like that could make it more likely to form a clog. what about like a snake tongue, split the down-hill end of the pipe down the middle and put it around the outside of the other pipe. maybe some heavy zip ties around it. solid connection, less likely to leak or clog.

[@justinmichael007]

You could cut a small extruded triangle type cut on the uphill pipe too so it can pinch together just slightly to fit inside the makeshift coupling too, then zip tie it like you said.

[@RushAustin]

Chuck, can you describe what is involved in doing maintenance on a french drain system and how often the maintenance should be done?

[@aron6998]

Hahaha good one, maintenance is bs money grab, the only thing they can do (without serious lawn interruption) is put a nozzle with differing angled jets on the end of a long water hose and try to move some of the sediment out of the piping that’s all!!

[@troybrault2215]

If your system includes access ports in key locations [as a good system should], then part of the maintenance includes flushing the system to move any fine sediment to the sump collection system, or another access area where it can be wet vac'd out. These ports also allow an Iron Out flush to kill any growth in iron rich soil. You can also treat the system through these ports to protect against root growth [especially if there is a Weeping Willow Tree nearby]. Typically the maintenance would also check sediment build up above the check valve at the sump pump [ unless your draining to "daylight']; as well as check underground discharge for flow and integrity. BBU [ battery back up systems] are also checked for battery life, alarms, BBU check valve inspection, etc.. They should also clean any Threshold Drains [ installed in front of basement bulkhead stairs or other egress area which drain into the system.] If you're dealing with a reputable company, it is worth the money - a few hundred $$ spent could save thousands in damage. Most warranties are void if the pump fails from lack of maintenance to the above.

[@areents]

What type of blade are you using with the hacksaw? Thanks in advance

[@hookahb8299]

Yes ,but i thought the woven stuff needed tention on it like you did on the bucket?

[@alchemista2]

Don't roots get right into the perforated pipe - especially the larger hole bottom one you showed? Unless you have a good fabric?

[@rromero1318]

You're a good man Chuck. Thanks for making this videos

[@geothr33]

What a positive guy

[@traceypaul4228]

New follower here, a lot of great info, stuff I never knew, Thank you

[@darrellbelt]

Why can’t I just use a fabric wrapped pipe and no stone?

[@NewYears1978]

I have the same drill and it's my fav one!

[@robertodebeers2551]

Good job.

[@grahamdougherty226]

it will not work with Georgia clay. It causes pooling. You have to use multiple drains.

[@chadwicks4631]

You have the woven and non-woven switched around... woven looks like it was woven. Like a basket 🧺 up, down.... in, out.... look it up in fiberglass mat. They have the same thing.

[@markhooker8520]

Another excellent video.

[@brewbeer1]

Great video!

[@winterishere9828]

I've been watching a lot of these videos on french drains and this guy strikes me as the most knowledgeable.

[@ArieteArmsRAMLITE]

Yes. Yes, he is. I have utmost faith in this kind, very handsome (amazing voice too!) Floridian. Not only can you get your DIY job done right first time, save a lot of money also your wife will be distracted by this good looks & easy charm so you can be free to actually get the job done without quite so much nagging interference. I am short fat and hairy with a hideously mangled face. I wear very thick eyeglasses too. You can see my when I was younger on wwtbam uk tv edition where I won $125k tax free on tv in 2001. Hotchin is my name. I was slim then.

[@OldElvis1927]

Dude, you're awesome! You're the Bob Ross of drainage. Thanks for all the videos!

[@notdividedusa1838]

Love the tip about how to join the corrugated pipe!! Perfect! Thanks!

[@337Steve]

He will teach you the best and most efficient way to do it and keep it under a budget to destroy your pockets its hard to watch videos of companies do this without realizing that they are just promoting their own company to get paid chuck does it to where you know you can do it on your own and there is something special in that.

[@HB-yq8gy]

That landscape fabric I had removed it all because the rain water was running right over our french drain. Once we removed it the drain worked perfect!

[@lawn-n-orderlandscaping1389]

We fill our drains with gravel all the way to the surface for this exact reson. Maximum flow rate

[@appledrains]

Hey Chuck here with Apple Drains. I would like to invite everyone to our first Premier video coming this Friday, May 10th. Hope to see everyone soon!

[@bendaves77]

Apple Drains I'm from Illinois in the north western region about 35 miles east of the Mississippi River and up here we have a layer of quality black dirt followed by limestone clay which is horrible for getting rid of water. Do you have a video or can you tell me about a product I should use. I live in a house that's about 100 years old and the basement is clay fired brick and its double walled and I'm wanting to get the water away from my house so that I can add a family room and a gun room in my basement. Any and all help would be appreciated sir. God bless you and thank you for your informative videos

[@856Dropout]

They do make sch40 perforated pipe Pete

[@briansyzdek365]

Hello Chuck! I've been watching your videos for the longest time, and have to say you are the most knowledgeable guy out there. I especially appreciate your honest evaluations on time and money savers. I'm hoping you have a video of what to do when you have very low to no slope to work with. Thanks and keep the videos going.

[@ja1a100]

I'm still waiting for that go-pro shot.

[@peggyslate4050]

He also used a hard stream from the hose with the fabric alone and then used a lighter shower setting when he sprayed the clay soil. Of course, it won't come through the same when you shoot water through the fabric!

[@robertm.5816]

Don't sweat the small stuff- this guy is providing a-lot of value for FREE, and your concerned with a go-pro shot!!

[@charlesyoung9055]

Your video is the best help I could Wish for, my wife just inherited a rent house, been doing work on the place and noticed the place has flooded in the past, as my luck runs, it rained very hard while I'm there, noticed all the water running up to the front door, of course the street is about a foot higher, got to within 2 Inches of coming in, have decided to put French drain in front of foundation and drain into Bach yard, all down hill, your video answered all my questions, thanks so much for your time and effort in showing the correct way it's done

[@webcompanion]

Chuck that DIY union connector tip you showed was priceless! So great! And so simple!

[@stuartbatcheldor5978]

Hi from Australia! Your experience and explanation of this topic is OUTSTANDING! I have learned so much from you.

[@robertdaniels8609]

This by far the BEST explanation of preparing for french drains. I've installed several nearly 25 years ago that still work. Now I just had my back yard trenched for nearly 100 feet and preparing to lay gravel and pipe. I appreciate your examples of cloth. THANKS

[@wxscan4614]

"We can even come to Michigan." That made me chuckle. Thanks Chuck! Keep up the videos.

[@rosadod]

Yep, I'm from MI and would prefer Chuck over FDM.

[@firstnamemike]

Most clay is related to mud flooded urban locations like Chicago and Nashville.the clay is the stuff they bring in with liqifaction. Thos stuff is almost unatural. Holds water like no mud i e seen. Adds huge amount of weight to "clay" dries almost hard as concrete.

[@bomark2002]

I live in the northern rocky part of West Virginia, we believe after Noah’s flood God put all the rocks in our yard, 😂, I WAS going to wrap the pipe with fabric until I watched this video now Ima just cover my pipe with smooth rock, cover with a piece of fabric, then soil. Thanks for the awesome info

[@zackzander425]

It’s all garbage. Fabric is bad. Design system with clean-outs.

[@DaveWatts_ejectamenta]

I think most drainage would be better served by creating a stream instead, no need for plastic or fabric, just dig a V shaped trench, lay some flat stones on the bottom, some pebbles on the sides. If it gets blocked then easy to clean, but in practice most streams don't block. But could also cover with something removable, eg. slate. Maybe rounded roof tiles would make a good stream base with larger roof tiles as a cover. The other thing with this test is that the geofabric must only let the water pour at the same rate as the earth material. So for clay it could be slow but for sandy soil it could be faster. If its draining too fast then it is probably too pourous and will let the earth through.

[@lisaln3987]

Yes I'm thinking something similar. If pipe will eventually clog why bother. Water will flow through a rock filled trench. Also I have a dirt filled basement. I eventually plan to concrete but have been thinking to not concrete over the trench but rather just leave the stone perimeter. The slope is most important!

[@nenemagbozo7744]

May I ask if the rubble trench foundation system without a geotextile lined in the trench will works well. I am in the middle of project.

[@barrybisson2847]

NO BULLSHIT GUY right to the point tells you the truth the man the myth the legend I feel like a professional already from watching your videos lol your Canadian neighbor gooooo Chuck

[@fixitwise7194]

This is about the 100th video I've watched about clay and fabric and I'm still confused. I'm thinking about just doing it with rock alone. A filter is a filter... wether it is a fabric filter or a rock filter, wether it is non-woven or not. If it's filtering the clay, where does that filtered clay go??? and they all eventually clog. Seems like a fabric filter would clog much faster than rock... I'm leaning on using 6" smooth perforated PVC pipe with a 90 degree sweep elbow clean out on the high side end, (round grates on top) and just run a pressure washer drain snake attachment through it every couple of years. Surround the pipe with about 1" diameter rock. The smooth pipe bottom should help it clean easier?? Seems like the rock might tend to clog from the top anyway, and not the sides or bottom, due to gravity... I'd rather deal with that down the road than pulling the whole thing due to clogged fabric.

[@fixitwise7194]

I think, one more thing to consider. In hilly areas with clay soil, water travels under the few inches of top soil (turf) traveling on top of the clay layer. If the clay is dried out, it has cracks, if the clay is already saturated, it creates a solid layer for the sub-surface water to travel on. Once it hits the French drain, it dumps in from the top... mostly.

[@appledrains]

Hey ! Chuck here with Apple Drains. Yes! I always lay a piece of Fabric across the top of the gravel. Not worried about sides or bottom. Thank gravel is the fabric and works great

[@fixitwise7194]

@@appledrains Thanks Chuck...even with clay soil? What if we decide to just leave it a rock path on top and zero soil? Great videos BTW : )

[@MyTractorGuy]

I have it on good authority from a soil scientist here in NC that fabric is not needed in a clay trench. However in a sandy or silty trench it definitely helps. This guy spoke at our septic certification and I asked him a lot about fabric for french drains. I figured the soil scientist has forgotten more about dirt than I’ll ever learn. 😂

[@FergusScotchman]

That's why you put the fabric between the clay soil and aggregate

[@gedionsamuel2256]

That makes a lot of sense! I just finished trenching a 50 ft run in my backyard and kept going back and forth about the fabric l. He’s very knowledgeable and all his videos are a+ informative but I still was hesitant to put down the drain pipes bare. Yes there would be the aggregates and YES it’s true about him explaining the clay potentially clogging up the fabric against the pipe. However that distance between the pipe and the fabric by placing it at the aggregate/soil transition makes a little more sense. Couple that with hydrostatic flow and you should have a working drain. Of course, only time will tell. Any feedback welcome.

[@louisrios5546]

1:47 A bit confused -- you kept referring to the GoPro showing a video of the bottom of the bucket, but we never see the GoPro footage.

[@xtnoys3768]

Dearest Apple Drains, you are most helpful and absolutely inspiring!

[@CJ-zh2lo]

Are you still consulting? Im on a LOW water table in north GA right next to a manmade lake. Groundwater is flooding the property even with no rain and would love your input. Many people have been out here offering 40k+ solutions that seem outrageous and just plain don't make sense after watching your videos.

[@firstnamemike]

How are your downspouts routed? Catch basin?

[@coldsteelguns192]

Here is a link to US Fabrics. They are one of the geotextile fabric suppliers that are used by the US DOT...which means their products are approved for use in road construction. The link clearly shows the properties and strength ratings of their 4oz nonwoven geo fabric. Scroll down and see their PDF's on how to build French drains and foundation drains. They recommend a complete wrap of the drain. They say that their product will keep the sediment out. I dont know how fabrics are rated but I have seen 4 oz fabrics that are paper thin like the ones chuck has in this video and then I've seen 4oz fabrics that are thick like a felt blanket. I believe that not using fabric around basement weeper tiles along the foundation is why we see so many home weeper tiles fail. If the builders used a quality fabric I think the weepers would last longer. Chuck says 4oz fabric is not expensive...maybe not the thin stuff from lowes but a good quality 4oz fabric will be close to $200 from what I've found for a 150' roll. www.usfabricsinc.com/products/us-100nw/

[@jamesmasterson3769]

Cold Steel Guns good info

[@timberwolf9363]

Chuck, your test with buckets is showing a scenario where you would cover your french drain with clay or soil. Well, in this case, fabric or no fabric will make no difference as water won't be able to penetrate anyway. If you would like to do this test, french drain should be open (allow drainage from the top) in which case means you cover it with gravel and then put fabric on top of it. Remember, point where clear stone meets clay that's where fabric sits and it's not expected for water to come in through that point anyway. In a french drain water is expected to come in through gravel around your pipe and in order to do that water has to have direct contact with gravel, not through clay (it won't work). All fabric does is prevents your gravel around the FD not to clog with your soil. Now, I'm not sure why are people opposed to fabric when for few bucks you can have a bulletproof system. You should do a test that mimics real french drain.

[@socialkruption]

Hey Chuck! I always loved your videos but I love you when you trash talk "that robber guy" from the north on his pseudo product. I made the mistake of ordering from him and my order got misplaced and was refused a refund so I did a charge back.

[@appledrains]

Too Funny! Hope you get the right materials. Promise they are available at Lowes for 1/2 the cost and work perfectly!!!

[@PTucker0864]

I just did a perimeter drain in my crawlspace in Indy using about 100 feet of the EZ Drain pipe....it seems to be working so far! I also connected the pipes using your method....great info! Thanks! 👍

[@12Bravojeepstuff]

I bet that cost you.

[@hulkh3489]

I don't live in the US so I don't know if I can get my hands on those kinds of pipes but I was wondering if I could use perforated PVC pipes or maybe a simple PVC pipe and drill holes in them and then use stones and fabric just like you said. Will it do the trick?

[@lbfree714]

Should do. A lot of people do it with pvc and holes drilled in.

[@coldsteelguns192]

How can two 4oz fabrics be so different. The 4oz fabric from lowes you use in this video looks so thin and see thru compared to the 4oz fabric that French Drain Man uses in his "fabric over the bucket" video The fabric in his video is clearly thicker or denser...whichever you want to call it. You can't see much light thru it. Can someone please explain to me how two 4oz fabrics can be so far apart in qualities...how do they rate these? I would really like to know...is it just a case of the company making it, just calling it whatever weight they want? Someone please explain this? I would expect two 4oz fabrics to be the same....just like if you buy two different 6mil plastics

[@Raya-5544]

wow thank you so much for making this video!!! answered so many of my questions in just one video. THANK YOU FOR THE EDUCATION !!

[@roushsporthvacman7095]

Installing a drainage system in Florida is very different than installing a drainage system in Michigan or Massachusetts. Just because someone installs a drainage system in a different manner does not make it wrong ! Many people are unaware of the reasons why people do things differently in other regions of the country. Like using double wall corrugated pipe instead of single wall pipe or using a high quality SRW non woven drainage fabric in stead of landscaping fabric or using Agri Drain PVC tile tape on the drainage pipe joint to stop the piping separating at the frost line and to stop root migration into the piping. FYI there are many reasons for taking these preventive measures...

[@melig7543]

Basically it just depends on the soil that you are building the drain in. Different regions, different soils. We just move to a new region. I am struggling with a fluffy lawn. I think it has moles. One spot is squishy and holds water. My daughter thinks we have clay with sand over it in that spot. That is why I am watching this. The yard slopes towards the house too. That isnt good.

[@gedionsamuel2256]

Meli G Did you install a drainage? If so did you use fabric?

[@gedionsamuel2256]

I am done with the dig and at the point where I’m about to lay gravel in. I just don’t know whether to use fabric or not. This guy is obviously one of the best and seemingly his experience speaks for itself. However, reading so much back and forth and not truly getting convinced either way, I’m still unsure. I’m in Southern California and the yard is a thick dense clay that just isn’t porous at all. The yard also slopes toward the house and with no drainage when it rains it’s a messy puddle where the lawn meets the patio concrete. I’m installing triplewall pipes with the double holes facing down onto the aggregate. Fabric or no...?

[@clovertx901]

Well?​@@gedionsamuel2256

[@YardGuy]

Been watching your stuff for a while now! Thanks so much Chuck! Great info.

[@understructurerepair7132]

There's always going to be critics of your drill or your method. It's usually coming from trolls that have never put in a drain in their lives. We had a homeowner/ real estate investor in Knoxville that had us quote 7 houses (quoting costs money) . Then he started telling us about how he fired the concrete contractor (and his driveway looked perfect) Then he said he fired his carpenter. Then when he started telling US how to do his crawlspace, we packed up our material and headed out. It wasn't a pride thing. It was that we follow our plan because we have to warranty OUR plan, not his. I hope the Black & Decker lasts forever !!

[@bl9531]

You explain things very well - obviously knowledgeable and interested in what you do. Good job!

[@Jordanwoodworking]

Chuck, don’t make TFDM mad. Lol. I would love to see a video on street water runoff or control

[@namjignerak]

He likes to disable its comments section. Geo Fabric should be add on option, which you can charge more for. I would rather put more aggregates; more than 6 inches all around the pipes instead if people prefers. Option is the point of sales.

[@richardbrauer5950]

It seems like TFDM had taken some pot-shots at Chuck. Between that and his condescending tone, TFDM's video's are just hard to listen to.

[@namebutler]

@@richardbrauer5950 which channel is TFDM?I don't get the T? I've seen french drain man videos which would be FDM.

[@bobxerxes4275]

@namebutler You might have gotten an answer elsewhere but T is for The so same channel and videos that you watched.

[@chopper703]

@@richardbrauer5950 I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT RICHARD!

[@elsagrace3893]

Hi Florida man! Your explanations made the whole thing interesting. I don’t even know the first thing about drains. Just clicked on it because of my interest in gardening. Learned stuff 👍🏼

[@michaelcantwell6928]

Hey, Chuck, I have a question. I’m redoing a French drain which doesn’t work. The trench was wrapped in heave fabric and the pipe was wrapped separately in the same material. I’ve removed all the gravel and the fabric. I know your not a fan of the geofabric but this video shows a sleeve on the pipe. Do you recommend a sleeve

[@mainelyelectric]

The long solid white pipe with Black inside and holes in it that you showed in the video is not PVC it’s Triple wall HDPE. Way better than PVC I use it all the time!

[@mariacobb5935]

Ben Boudreau, how is this better than regular PVC? Does it come with the holes already in it?

[@mainelyelectric]

Maria Cobb it’s stronger than standard thin wall PVC drain pipe, It’s made by ADS DRAINS. Since it’s triple wall it does not shatter when cold and it’s cheaper cost wise. Same size as thin wall pvc and fits all pvc fittings. And yes It is available with holes or no holes.

[@jeffreyry]

I don’t usually write in comments but Chuck you are awesome. Thank you so much for your videos of instruction and encouragement. Not a lot of people a genuine as you are. Thanks again can’t wait to see more.

[@MJ-tt9ww]

G'Day from Australia! Thanks Chuck I am about to do about 150ft of French drain in clay and you have saved me money and time. Legend!

[@vitalilisau6181]

Hi Chuck, thank you for your education and experiments. In order to avoid agg and cloth clogging, to me it looked like the best way to get rid of them altogether by increasing total system's capacity. What I mean is Instead of using 4'' pipe wrapped in 8'' agg and cloth, just use 8'' slotted pipe. It will never get clogged as the volume is huge. Any clay will get inside and get washed away. Bigger particles like small stones and coarse sand will stay outside and provide filtering, so you will get self-cleaning system. If the soil subsides, just add some small gravel or coarse sand on top. P.S. I am not in this business, but get some experience and still looking for the best way.

[@CaptureYouVideo]

I love his laughs like at the start where he moved the long bit of pvc. Must have flicked dirt on someone. And you all watch the credits he talks about how he gets stupid questions on why he uses the Handy Dandy Black Decker "what difference does that make" : I just love it. I used to just watch netflix, .... now, I watch Apple Drains. Lol

[@notunauthorized]

He's the best love the laughs too hahaha

[@webersouza9898]

This is the reason you put debris around the drainage tube. In Clay soils only when water saturated the soil the trench Will drain .

[@deanmccabe8783]

What percentage of slope do I need in my French drain?

[@ushomework3718]

Basic! Down hill to your discharge. Start shallow and continue to discharge,, duh

[@Jimo225]

to do these tests property you must get a bucket and put dirt on and plant grass and let the water percolate thru the grass and into the fabric. clay is used to stop water when they build a pond but the roots in it changes the dynamic.

[@arayahomes4308]

I love your channel. I design high performance homes and you are really knowledgeable about a lot of what you speak about. Refreshing to see your channel and I love how you test what you use!!!

[@arayahomes4308]

I would love to know your opinion on using landscape fabric, here's some specific questions: I live in Canada and in the BC Builder Guide to Site And Foundation Drainage (which I hope you look at briefly) it's a really well done book on best practices. Something that is new to me is that in the book they talk about not using the fabric on the underside quite often, they will cover the tops of drain rock and sides but leave the bottom open, never using a sock on the pipes and I'm new to the whole leave the bottom open. Do you have any thoughts of that? I can't leave a link because youtube won't let me but if you copy paste that name of the guide into google you'll be able to download the pdf. What do you think about this? Wouldn't that be a problem in some areas with perhaps clay or different soil types? Would love your thoughts on it all. Btw, that black pipe you use, I'm sure you know, but as far as I know, that black rippled pipe is basically garbage of a product and if used in say foundation drainage systems it's of high risk of breaking because of how weak it is. I'm on teh same page with you, holes down and never use a sock in my understanding with high performing homes.

[@patti2413]

Sorry…I’m confused… Are you saying you should or should not use geotextile/landscape fabric? This is the first video of yours I’ve watched, so maybe the answer is clearer in other videos…but I thought the more sediment you could keep out of the pipe, the better??? In other videos I’ve seen landscape fabric laid in the trench, a 1-2” layer of gravel, the perforated pipe, topped with 6” of gravel, sides of the landscape fabric folded in across the stone, and then either more gravel, soil or mulch , depending on where your drain is located. It appears that the woven landscape fabric drains much faster than the geotextile and keeps out about the same amount of sediment. If the drain is in or under a garden, you do want some of that water to be retained, so if it drains a little slower with each passing year that’s probably okay. Geotextile on the other hand would allow too much water to remain creating puddling. Either way, both WILL eventually drain, but it seems to me that landscape fabric would be a better choice. However…you said you don’t like either- and I got the impression that you don’t use either. Is that correct? All you have is gravel around the pipe? So what happens when even MORE sediment washes down into the pipes, slowing the water flow, and I’m assuming, eventually becoming rather ineffective? I loved your idea about the 6” corrugated coupler btw! But the first thing that popped into my mind was ‘resistance’. Any part of that cut piece may be sticking out a bit on the inside, potentially becoming a point where sediment gathers and starts to build up. I think debris could start to accumulate quite quickly, and eventually, possibly block the drain, causing problems. I don’t know if you do this or not, but I have seen people t-off of the pipe and have pieces of hose coming up to the surface, with a drain (like a shower) at the top. This isn’t really for drainage, although it doesnt’t hurt!)- it’s more for maintenance. You can shove a hose in every now and then & wash away any sediment. Or, if drainage seems to be slow, you can check each section to see if there’s a blockage anywhere. You also showed the perforated pipe that is covered. If manufacturers didn’t think it was beneficial, why would they incorporate it into their design? I’d really like to hear your responses to the things I’ve raised here, so I’m sure that I have understood things correctly! (And my apologies if I have misunderstood !) I have think clay soil that is made worse every year by a river that floods my property. One flood washed away any good topsoil I had built up, and left 3-5” of clay when it receded, so my once-beautiful horse pastures have now become weed-filled with HUGE areas of muck where the water doesn’t drain away. I have to figure out the best way to move water away these areas, but how can you do that when there is no slope- and a high water table? Since I don’t think I can drain it ‘away’, I’m thinking I have to dig the whole area out, put down ‘A’ gravel, landscape fabric, then pack a few inches of stone dust, another layer of fabric, soil, then sod? Sound like a solid plan? Similar problem around my house, not because of clay but because of water getting in the foundation. There is a about a 5” slope away from the foundation (in some parts) that gradually goes out about 4 feet, but then it’s flat. I’m hoping that French drains might help move water away from the first 4G’, but when it becomes flat, it will just be putting it back into the water table close to my house, making the problem cyclical. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I’d love your input & any suggestions you might have for these two dilemmas!! Thanks!!! Patti

[@thegladiator5559]

YOU'RE THE MAN SIR !!! 100 Millions of THANKS for sharing your knowledge, literary my kids and all my family ( even from other country ) have eaten many times because of what you teach me. I can't thank you enough !!! God bless you 🙏.

[@dennisgibbs5708]

I watch all your videos that I can. Enjoy each one. The one thing you don’t really talk about is the drainage slope, how much like 1%, 2%, etc., or how to measure it. Many of your video are rather shallow in fairly flat ground; this would be less than 1%, which is almost nothing! Please address this. Thank you!

[@viewthoughmyeyes]

Just quirky enough I liked you and subscribed. Mainly you just tell how it is so many KZbin videos I swear it's like CMG or CGI or whatever that is, you can't do half the s*** they film most the time like chopping logs or burning tree stumps. it doesn't work with the burn barrel or other methods it takes forever I've even drilled holes in it and pour oil for days weeks and then light it it burns for a long time but doesn't burn it gone even with the air compressor just all lies... I've tried what they filmed and it's freaking hard and nowhere close to how they film it. in you know 10 minute KZbin video. btw, not hating on you for the Black & Decker as I'm a Ryobi guy myself. I still have some of the dark blue tool bits that I work the hell out of and still running like ever I mean I can't spend the money on the Milwaukee or Makita or anything else I bought too many attachments for Ryobi 15 years ago and I use them almost daily...

[@ernestosanchez2462]

The only thing I see is using the corrugated pipe inside the corrugated pipe instead of the sleeve, would have a tendency to collect or stop material within that area 🙈🙉🙊👍 (Leaves, small sticks, etc.) which would within time possibly plug the pipe up.

[@billytheearthworm573]

Agreed proper preparation and installation strategies must be considered per the various local soil conditions and hydraulic factors.

[@Nifty-Stuff]

SO glad I found this video! You crammed a ton of great info in here! I especially like how you used slit pipe to join two pipes together!! Keep up the great videos!

[@vincenash1358]

thank you for taking the time to help all us newbies !

[@johnskyleir]

You are a honest guy, not much left to tell the truth ... My mother's nurse said by pointing out my mother " they are not made anymore " lol... like that honest people almost disappeared. not made anymore. Thank you.

[@Chainyanker007]

If using 4” Schd 40 pvc how important is it to glue the sections and any joints together if the French drain is for S. Calif where there is no freezing and heaving of the soil? Seems to me that leaving it unglued will make it easier for long term maintenance if you ever have to take it apart and any leakage would be minimal

[@david-breitenfeld]

isn't that what fabric is suppose to do- collect participles and eventually clog? just like a furnace filter or shop vac? but how to "clean" a clogged fabric filter when it gets clogged? we are talking years of not changing the "filter". i see the function, but over the life span?

[@ThatEEguy2818]

I think your expirament is flawed in that it's impossible to tell how much the clay alone is responsible for holding back the water, and how much the clay plugging the fabric is to blame.

[@edwardfitzgerald4801]

How do you construct a drain in clay if fabric blocks up?

[@relevant.c5411]

u dont wrap the pipe with fabric without 1st laying cobblestone then wrapping the entire thing. no point using a sock if u use the correct non woven fabric.

[@leomalino2364]

Thanks for the abundance good info, One suggestion when using a piece of corrugated to couple 2 corrugated pipes. Put the connecting piece outside the other 2 pieces to avoid creating a restriction inside the connection.

[@robertcort8566]

It was very late at night when I watched but just so I understand, the fabric is essentially, optional in the end. Water and fine dirt will still end up in the pipe. I'm considering using 3inch pvc that will end in a dry well/trench.

[@alanmatthews9260]

So, basically it sounds like there’s really nothing you can do to prevent sediment from entering your drain if you have any clay above the drain.

[@garyplumb6558]

Why would you have clay on top. When you dig a trench you put top soil on top of pipe and then sod or grass. The clay would be in the bottom of the trench with pipe sitting on bottom. Very misleading

[@km-uc5wh]

I've got a 4' deep block foundation I'm digging out next week. I'm going to go with thick walled PVC with holes. Should I just do gravel and fabric on top then soil? No fabric on the sides? I know to stay away from the burrito technique. Thanks for all your informative videos!

[@Gamescommentary]

the best version of florida man

[@angeltrudo]

Do you travel to Parrish? I think we need to have this done around our whole house, after the storm Nicole this fall we had water intrusion. I believe we need to seal the foundation and where is meets the block

[@craigzdyb390]

Canals in the UK were lined with clay when constructed to help keep the water in the canal.

[@1123tyrone]

I just started watching these videos, they are interesting. I noticed you guys are throwing shots at each other🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣