How to Build a French Drain - How to Make a French Drain

French drains have nothing to do with France or French people! The French drain design was chalked out by a man, Henry French, who was a judge and a farmer. Hence, the name French Drain. Any problem of water logging in your lawn or a flooded basement can be solved by using French drains. French drains are sloping trenches occupied with gravel that drain water from a place at higher altitude to a place, comparatively at a lower altitude. Let us have a look at the equipment required, before we discuss the steps on how to make a French drain.

• Coarse Gravel
• Landscape Fabric
• PVC Pipe
• Shovel
• Sand

How to Build French Drain - Plan the Destination of the Drainage
This is the vital step of building the French drain, i.e. deciding the destination where the extra water will be drained out. You should be careful while deciding the destination, so that you do not end up creating a new problem. The water should not drain in a neighbor's area or any other area of your own property. The destination of the French Drain can be any canal that flows near your house or any area that will drain the water properly without any problem.

How to Build French Drain - Plan the Route of the Trench
Now, when you have decided the destination for the French drain, plan the route through which the water will drain to the destination. Ensure that the route is free from obstacles like trees, shrubs or rocks and that it is easy for you while digging. If there are any walls, see that the route is one meter away from the walls. French drains work on the theory of gravity on slopes, so make sure the route has at least one percent slope. One percent slope is defined as a slope of height one foot for every hundred feet length. Remember that the French drain will not work if the route does not have a slope. Plan the route taking into consideration all the factors and only then take up the task of digging the trench.

How to Build French Drain - Dig the Trench
Now, before you start digging the trench on the route you have decided, check the local building codes of your area as you may need a permit to dig up in the area. Digging the trench is the most laborious work while building a French drain. The width of the trench should be according to the width of the pipe you will be using. The width usually preferred is 5 inches to 6 inches and for larger French drains, it is more than 12 inches. Decide the width accordingly and dig the trench.

How to Build French Drain - Line the Trench
After digging the trench, line it with gravel up to 3 inches. Then, lay down a fabric used for landscapes on the trench, with some extra fabric on either sides. This fabric will be later used to cover the French drain.

How to Build French Drain - Drainage Pipe
Once you have lined the trench, lay down the drainage pipe in the lined trench and fill the trench with gravel. The French drain is almost ready. Cover the trench with the soil, gravel and extra landscape fabric you have laid before.

The French drain will help you with any problems of water logging or any other problem due to extra water accumulation. Now that you know how to make a French drain go ahead and get rid of the problem.