Yard Drain
DRAINS BUILT RIGHT.
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DIY drain installation

 Do it yourself French Drains

French drains are an effective way to redirect excess water away from your property and prevent standing water and muddy lawns. The installation process can be done by homeowners with some DIY experience. Here's how to install a French drain using the burrito wrap method, 1 inch of fall every 10 feet, and perforated PVC or double wall corrugated:

Materials:

  • Perforated PVC or double wall corrugated pipe

  • Couplings or snap-on connectors

  • Drainage aggregate, such as gravel or crushed stone

  • Landscape fabric

  • Topsoil

Tools:

  • Shovel

  • Level

  • Tape measure

  • PVC cutter or saw

  • Gloves

Disclaimer: At Yard Drain, we do not recommend using single wall corrugated pipe, as it is prone to collapse and can cause blockages in the drainage system. We recommend using perforated PVC or double wall corrugated pipe for best results.

Step 1: Determine the drainage route and location. Decide where you want to redirect the excess water to and where the French drain will be located. Mark out the location with flags or spray paint.

Step 2: Dig the trench. Dig a trench along the drainage route, making sure it is deep enough to accommodate the perforated PVC or double wall corrugated pipe. The trench should have a depth of at least 12 inches and a width of 12 inches.

Step 3: Measure the slope with a level. To ensure proper drainage, measure the slope of the trench with a level. The trench should have a fall of 1 inch for every 10 feet of length. Use a level to determine the slope by placing it in the trench and adjusting the depth of the trench as needed.

Step 4: Add landscape fabric. Line the trench with landscape fabric to prevent soil and debris from clogging the drainage system. Staple the fabric open over the sides of the trench to allow for installation of the pipe and gravel.

Step 5: Lay the pipe. Lay the perforated PVC or double wall corrugated pipe on the landscape fabric in the bottom of the trench. This will ensure that water enters the pipe at the lowest point possible. Connect the pipes together using couplings or snap-on connectors.

Step 6: Cover the pipe with gravel. Cover the pipe with drainage aggregate, such as gravel or crushed stone, to prevent the pipe from being clogged by soil or debris. The aggregate should be filled to within 2-3 inches of ground level.

Step 7: Wrap the pipe with landscape fabric. Wrap the pipe and gravel with the landscape fabric, making sure to overlap the fabric at least 6 inches. This is the burrito wrap method, which helps to prevent clogging of the pipe by filtering out debris.

Step 8: Finish with topsoil Finish the installation by adding topsoil on top of the folded fabric. The soil should slope away from the house or structure to prevent water from pooling near the foundation.

In conclusion, to install a French drain, you will need to have the appropriate materials and tools, including perforated PVC or double wall corrugated pipe, couplings or snap-on connectors, drainage aggregate, landscape fabric, topsoil, a shovel, level, tape measure, PVC cutter or saw, and gloves. Follow these steps, including using the burrito wrap method, 1 inch of fall every 10 feet, and perforated PVC or double wall corrugated, to redirect excess water away from your property and prevent standing water

DIY Downspout extensions

Materials needed:

  • PVC pipe (4-inch diameter)

  • PVC elbows and adapters

  • PVC cement

  • Downspout connector

  • Trenching shovel

  • Level

  • Tape measure

  • Marker or spray paint

Tools needed:

  • Power saw or handsaw

  • Drill

  • Safety glasses

  • Gloves

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Start by selecting the location where you want to install the downspout extension. Make sure it releases the water at least 20 feet away from the foundation of your house.

  2. Use a marker or spray paint to mark the path of the trench you will need to dig for the PVC pipe.

  3. Using the trenching shovel, dig a trench along the path you marked. The trench should be approximately 8-12 inches deep and wide enough to fit the PVC pipe.

  4. Once you have dug the trench, use the level to ensure that it has a slight slope away from the house. This will help the water flow away from the foundation.

  5. Cut the PVC pipe to the desired length using the saw. Make sure to leave extra length at each end for attaching the elbows and adapters.

  6. Attach the PVC elbows and adapters to the ends of the PVC pipe using PVC cement. Follow the instructions on the cement carefully.

  7. Slide the downspout adaptor over the end of the downspout.

  8. Insert one end of the PVC pipe into the downspout connector and the other end into the trench.

  9. Backfill the trench to cover the PVC pipe.

  10. Turn on the water and check that the downspout extension is working properly.

By following these steps, you can install an underground PVC downspout extension to keep water away from your foundation. Remember to take safety precautions and follow all instructions carefully when working with power tools and PVC cement.