How shallow can a French drain be?

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.

Does a French drain have to be 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.

Is there an alternative to a French drain?

1. Valleys. Valleys are a French drain alternative that will work very similarly to how a French drain does. You see, a French drain is basically a trench with pipes that can help to drain water, diverting it away from a particular area.

What is the minimum depth for drainage pipe?

bedded on granular material, minimum 100mm deep, or. laid directly on the trench bottom, where the trench bottom can be accurately hand trimmed with a shovel but is not so soft that it puddles when walked on.

Is a swale better than a French drain?

French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.

Will a French drain without pipe work?

When you omit the pipe from a French drain, you’ve basically got a trench drain. It’s a good idea to lay a waterproof base if you have poorly draining soil, and if you have old gutters sitting around, this may be a good way to put them to use.

Can you build a French drain without pipe?

Officially a French drain is a gravel drain with no pipe. The water just collects in and travels through in a gravel or stone filled channel that starts from the surface or just below it.

Do you put dirt over a French drain?

Because a French drain has holes throughout the pipe which allow it collect water, you should not install dirt on top of the drain pipe. Installing dirt will clog the pipe and the holes, rendering it useless.

Can you bury corrugated drain pipe?

It is important to properly bury a corrugated drain pipe so that water does not make its way back to the surface and cause problems such as erosion and standing water. There are just a few supplies necessary in order to effectively bury your pipes and avoid future complications.