How deep should drain tile be buried?

3–4 feet
Tile Depth: Typical range (3–4 feet). Typical tile depths (W) for agricultural drainage are 3–4 feet. The depth of the drains affects the hydraulic head (h) of water driving flow to the drains and the distance between the drains and the restrictive layer that is available for water flow.

Can I install drain tile myself?

Because a drain tile system is fairly simple and can be built out of readily available materials, many a do-it-yourselfer has been tempted to at least explore installing it him- or herself. It’s not impossible but it’s certainly not recommended.

How deep is drain tile around a house?

The pipe is typically installed in a 5- or 6-inch-deep trench that runs alongside the footer. Next, the drain tile is covered with at least 3 feet of round, washed gravel that is 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size.

Does drain tile need gravel?

Generally the tile is trenched in & covered with dirt or plowed in with a tile plow and the same dirt is all around it, no gravel added. You need to create a very nice smooth semi circle bottom for the tile to nest in same size as the tile, and then cover it with a bit of loose dirt to bed it in so it does not crush.

Does drain tile need to be sloped?

YES, you need to slope your Drain Tile. Slope should be 1/8” per Linear Foot. For every 80 Linear Feet, you need a Sump Basin.

Which is better interior or exterior French drain?

Conclusion. Both exterior and interior French drains provide effective protection against flooding and water damage in your basement. Yet, due to the costs and difficulty of installing and servicing an exterior drain on existing houses, it may be better to install interior drains.

Can you have drain tile without a sump pump?

If you have a drain tile system installed in your home, don’t take chances. If you don’t have a pump, get one installed. Its the only way that system can operate as designed to keep your basement dry. The cost of a pump and discharge pipe is cheap insurance and will cost a lot less than dealing with a wet basement.

What kind of gravel do I use for drain tile?

Crushed gravel is one of the best choices for drainage. Use #3 or #57 crushed stone for your drainage needs. Select an angular crushed gravel—smooth stones drain poorly. Gravel between 0.5 and 1.5 inches is the best choice for drainage.

How much fall does a drain tile need?

1/8” per linear foot
When you are installing Drain Tile, it is important to slope the Pipe 1/8” per linear foot. This means that every 8 feet there will be a drop of 1” in the pipe. This is vitally important for the heavier rains. Same as your sewer, if it was level, it could handle SOME of the water/sewage coming from your home.