Drainage Installation Guide
- Grading French
- Drains Drain
- Basins Channel
- Drains Dry Well
- Sump Pump
Every drainage problem requires a site assessment to determine the optimum solution.
There are a myriad of drainage mitigation strategies that can be combined in a number of ways.
Drain Basin
Flooded Yard
Connected Gutter to Corrugated Pipe
Grading
What is grading?
Grading is the process of shaping the surface of the earth. In reference to drainage mitigation, it is the most effective strategy, but is not feasible in every situation. If the grade of the landscape is properly adjusted, it will rarely become overwhelmed or fail, and requires almost zero maintenance.
Pros and Cons of Grading
Pros
- Requires little to no maintenance
- In most applications, will never fail or become overwhelmed
- Permanent solution
Cons
- Moving earth is labor intensive and thus expensive
- Process typically includes removing existing sod or other vegetation
- Requires some kind of soil stabilization to hold the loose soil after grading (rock, sod, mulch) which will add cost
Lazer Level to Check Grade
Skid Steer Moving Soil
French Drains
What is a French Drain?
- A French drain is a perforated pipe (the pipe has holes pre drilled) that allows the groundwater and surface water to get into the pipe and be carried away
- The pipe is placed in a trench and surrounded by gravel which helps filter the soil and protect the pipe
- Slow acting drainage system
- Good for low lying areas or areas that stay wet long after rain events
- Can be used in conjunction with drain boxes to address surface water
- Typically wrapped in a permeable tarp to allow water in, but keep soil out
Do I need a french drain?
If you have an area where water sits or is wet more than one hour after a rain event, and it is killing or stressing the vegetation or making concrete/foundation settle, you may need a french drain.
Drain Basins
What is a Drain Basin?
A Drain basin is a box or tub designed to catch surface water and transfer the water to a pipe. Drain basins come in multiple shapes, colors and sizes.
Drain basins are versatile and can be installed in line with a french drain or solid pipe system.
Installation Pictures
Channel Drains
What is a Channel Drain?
A channel drain is typically used on concrete or other paved surfaces. This creates space for water to flow to avoid pooling on the hard surface.
Applications
Channel drains create a neat and durable solution for paved surfaces. They can be installed in:
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Flowerbeds
- Pool patios
Process
If installing in existing concrete, a channel is cut out approximately 2.5" wider than the new channel drain
The new channel drain is positioned below the grade of the existing concrete
The channel drain is connected to a pipe that leads to a termination point
New concrete is poured around the new channel drain!
Dry Wells
What is a Dry Well?
A dry well is an underground well thats allows collected water to infiltrate the soil.
In our area, there is usually a layer of clay that prevents surface water from quickly infiltrating the soil.
A Dry well bypasses this clay layer, allowing water to drain faster.
Application
Dry wells are effective in fixing low lying areas where there is a moderate amount of standing water, but there are no feasible means of piping the water out.
Typically, dry wells are much less expensive that other types of drainage solutions
Process
Digging/Auguring the dry well
Perforate pipe is installed in the well
Gravel is installed around the pipe
Sod, Rock, or a drainage basin is installed over the entrance to the dry well
Sump Pumps
What is a Sum Pump?
A sump pump is an electric pump that has a float switch.
They are typically installing inside of a drainage basin.
When water enters the drain basin, the float switch turns to pump "ON" until the water level recedes and the water is pumped away.
Applications
Sump pumps are effective solutions for low lying areas with extreme amounts of water- with no other feasible options to fix the drainage. Sump pumps are typically very expensive to install. Electricity must be available near the sump pump.
Major drawbacks:
- They can become clogged/overwhelmed
- If the electricity goes out, the pump does not function
- Usually requires grading to channel water
Process
Grading surrounding area for optimum flow
Area is repair and resodded
Pump installed in the basin
