We recommend installing the french drains between 2 and 5 feet away from the foundation. There are a few variables that impact the exact distance to dig the new drain lines to carry water away from your home.
Can you put a French drain next to a foundation?
It can be placed inside a basement or outside along the foundation. If water pressure beneath the slab forces water into the basement via the joins of wall and floor or through cracks in the foundation, then a French Drain will be placed inside the basement along the wall and floor joins.
How deep should French drain be next to foundation?
About 8 inches to 2 feet deep
French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.
Should a French drain be below the footer?
It should be 2 feet from the footing and extend beyond the building far enough for water to drain away from it, or at least 6 feet.
Should a French drain be against house?
A French drain should be no deeper than the foundations of a building and, in the case of older buildings, the side of the trench should slope away from the building at no less than 45 degrees. This is to maintain the lateral support of the foundations by the ground surrounding them.
Should I put French drains around my house?
The location of your home may have been extremely attractive when you bought it, but a home on low ground needs help from a French Drain. Your home can flood easily because gravity is pulling water to the house during a rain storm. The French drain takes advantage of gravity to prevent flooding.
How much slope does a French drain need?
1 percent
Dig a Trench
The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide. French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
Where should I put my French drain in my yard?
LOCATION: French drains should run along the center of the low area(s) needing drained, and end at the desired drainage point. There should be adequate “fall” in the french drain construction, for water to naturally run downhill, toward the drainage end.
How do I keep water away from my house foundation?
Proper drainage is the best way to keep water away from your home’s foundation. Install a French drain system around the house foundation – Dig a trench around the foundation, line it with gravel, and place a drain with perforations in it to pull the water away. Cover the drain with gravel and add soil over it.
Why do French drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
Will gravel around house help drainage?
Gravel Beds Provide Natural Drainage
Water drains more quickly through gravel compared to most types of soil, so puddles form less-readily on gravel-covered pathways and borders than they do on soil surfaces.
Where should a French drain end?
Your French drain should end where it is most appropriate to deposit excess sprinkler system water and rain water it carries.
What is the proper way to install a French drain?
Add a Layer of Topsoil to Drainage Ditch
- Dig a trench along the outside of your footing. …
- Lay the pipe on the virgin soil. …
- Cover the pipe with at least 12 inches of washed gravel.
- Lay filter fabric over the gravel to prevent any soil from clogging the pipe.
Are French drains worth it?
French drains are very efficient at relocating water from heavy rain, but only on properties that are adequately drained. That means if you live near a body of water, have shallow groundwater, or your area is designated as a flood zone, a French drain might do nothing for you.
How long will a French drain last?
approximately 30 to 40 years
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.
How much does labor cost to install a French drain?
According to Fixr, the average French drain costs $4,500. An exterior drain located fairly close to the surface could cost as little as $1,000, or $25 per linear foot on average. Drains installed under your basement floor could cost $2,000 or more. Expect to pay $60 to $70 per linear foot for installation.
