How do I build a French drain? [solved]
There's a shed near the side of the house with a roof that's pitched to shoot water at the house's foundation. That side of the house also has no gutters. There's a very slight grade to send water towards the front of the house. House is brick veneer, on-slab.
How can I build a drainage system to carry water away from the foundation?
Here is a pretty quick explanation.
Starting from where the water will enter the drain and ending where the water will flow out, dig a ditch that's about 10 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Keep in mind that you will need to dig deeper if your starting point slopes upward.
Lay about 2 inches of rock into the trench before placing the pipe lengthwise into the ditch.
Cover the pipe with another layer of rocks, again about 2 inches.
Fill in the remaining space with soil and then plant some grass.
Here is a pretty good video, which also shows it's a good idea to add a clean-out.
They also say you should not use flexible corrugated perforated plastic drain pipe, because it cannot be cleaned like rigid pvc can be.
Here's another article about a French / Trench drain:
Basically the same idea, except he doesn't recommend lining the ditch with fabric or putting a sock on the pipe. He does recommend using rigid perforated pipe instead of the corrugated pipe with slits in it.
Depending on the area , and your costs, you could also just buy a prefabricated french drain and save yourself some times. Your BIG local hardware store would have something like this:
There are many French Drain videos on YouTube. My opinion is watch the ones by French Drain Man for commercial grade work that lasts. Apple Drains great also for homes in the South where freezing is not an issue. The filter wrap over pipe is controversial as it substantially reduces flow. FTM puts it outside the gravel to prevent silting. The prefab DIY stuff surrounded by Styrofoam peanuts is not used by Pros and uncertain.
DIY French Drain for Under $250
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