French Drain vs. Catch basin or both??
ajfitzer
13 years ago
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lehua49
13 years agoinkognito
13 years agoRelated Discussions
French Drains vs Channel Drains?
Comments (47)We have evaluated the some of the benefits and construction issues of the pipe proposal. Now I would suggest advertaddy investigate the possibility of surface drainage. Some reasonably accurate elevation data will be needed to prove the viability. To do what I propose, he will need some materials; a few 2ft stakes, a nylon string line, and a string level. A string level is not a precision instrument and I am not fond of their use where accuracy is needed. But for short distances, and for this case particularly, I think the careful use of a string level will be sufficient. Rather than collect useful data over the whole of the project area, this preliminary study will be concentrated on only the critical grade points. In the graphic above I show the location of a string line that can be used to gather the information needed. Begin at point C by locating a space between fence boards that aligns with the back 6 inches of the patio. At the space between boards drive a wood screw about 1ft above ground level. Tie on a string line and stretch it out toward point B. Select a location for a stake at point "B such that the string passes over the patio near the back edge and also aligns with the jog in the house as shown. Attach the string level at the mid point between B and C. Stretch the string tight and tie to stake B with a loop. Adjust the string height at stake B so that the string level indicates the string is level. Install stakes at A and D. Extend string lines to the end stakes in a like manner with all lines at the same level. Measure the horizontal distance for each line segment. Begin at stake A. Measure the ground to string distance. Move 5 ft down the line toward B and take another measurement. Continue this process until you are near B. Begin anew at B and start the 5 ft intervals from there. Do the same at C and make a last measurement at D Record the measurements in this fashion A-? +5-? +10-? B-? +5 -? +10 -? +15 -? To correct the details of the base map, take measurements as shown in blue....See MoreFrench Drain Design Opinions?
Comments (7)1)Dig trench at a minimum of 8 inches(this would be the high point of the trench, where 10-12 inches for the low point of trench NO 2)Line trench with 2 inches of washed gravel NO 3)Lay fabric down with room to flap over pipe NO 4)Install 10ft of 4inch PVC pipe schedule 40(drill holes in a row to point downwards). 12 ft of solid pvc pipe will carry out the water collected to driveway NO 5)Place sock on PVC pipe NO 6)Gravel on top of pipe NO 7)Fold fabric over NO 8)Either top it all off with pebble, river rock, mulch, or dirt. NO lehua13 said: "French drains are only necessary if you have underground flow of water not surface flow." Read that three times. A French drain is not appropriate for your situation. Do not lay any perforated pipe in the location shown on your sketch. Assuming that water would have flowed through the planed pipe to the drive leads me to believe that the drive is a minimum of 1 ft below the ground elevation at the far corner of the house. In which case no pipe of any kind is needed. Rake the mulch away from the house 18 inches. If the soil there is a spongy topsoil, replace the top 4 inches with a heavy soil type that can be compacted. Grade the 18 inch strip along the house for a uniform downward slope from the far corner of the house to the drive. Compact the soil and leave it free of mulch. With the money you save, buy lottery tickets. If you win, email me and IâÂÂll tell you where to send my half....See MoreDry (wet!!) creek bed / french drain
Comments (9)First, thanks for taking the time to help us out on this! I agree with the pipe/drain gap, which is why we thought originally that the pipe should/would connect directly to the drain (but, as I said, the landscaping guy said that then more sediment could get in the drain?). I don't think a larger grate would readily do the trick - the water level rarely reaches the level of the grate (which is elevated off of the "bottom" of the trench. It enters the drain primarily through those holes drilled in the side, as I mentioned. So you think the water would move well enough through soil? I thought in general that rocks were better at moving water quickly - hence the commonality of dry creek beds, surrounding french drains in gravel, etc.?...See MoreCatch Basin, French Drain or Dry Well??? HELP!
Comments (1)It's too hard to figure out your explanation without pictures. Please add some so we can see what's happening. Show where water stands (though it doesn't need to be in the picture; you can describe it,) where it should go and the path it should take. So far, the only soil I've seen in is Florida is well-draining sand; is yours different?...See Moreajfitzer
13 years agolehua49
13 years agodave11
13 years agodave11
13 years agoajfitzer
13 years agolehua49
13 years ago
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