Do french drains need rocks?

Proper drainage rock is crucial for adequate permeability and drainage. Using a clean natural round stone for your drain fill material enables good flow through the aggregate and won't clog the system.

Do you have to put rock in a French drain?

The old way of installing French drains is to do it without the gravel and the fabric. Without the gravel and the fabric, however, the drain can clog up with sand and soil over time.

Why use rocks for a French drain?

Hard rocks such as granite or river gravel prove viable options for a French drain because they won't break down over time as much as other rock varieties, such as sandstone and limestone.

What type of rock should I use for a French drain?

The stone should be no less than ¾” and dense (we suggest Granite, or River Gravel) so it will allow good water flow. Lime Rock, although inexpensive, is a poor choice for a French Drain because it will begin to deteriorate over time and eventually begin to pack down and restrict flow.

Do you put gravel under pipe for French drain?

It is important to place the gravel around the pipe because they will filter any sediment that the geotextile is not able to remove.

What is the Best Drainage Stone to Use for Your French Drain? [FRENCH DRAIN MISTAKES]

How many inches of gravel do I need for a French drain?

Pour and compact about 3 inches of gravel or landscaping stone along the bottom of the trench. This will act as bedding for the drainage piping.

Can you make a French drain with just gravel?

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. But in modern times, and for practical purposes, we will consider a French drain to include a drainage pipe in the gravel.

What size rock do you put on a French drain?

Use Natural 1-1/2" round rock for best drainage. Washed rock is ideal. Avoid small pea gravel as the spaces in between stone is smaller minimizing flow rates. Avoid Crushed Rock (minus) that compacts and has "fines" that will clog pipe inlets.

Does rocks help drainage?

Using rocks, water can be directed towards ditches, for example, that are landscaped as swales and resemble creeks or meadows. Because rocks do not compact or degrade with time, they make excellent components to a yard's drainage system and do not require constant upkeep.

Can you cover French drain with dirt?

Can I cover a French drain with dirt? 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 I use pea gravel for French drain?

Do NOT Use Pea Gravel, Pea Pebble, Pea Stone When Building a French Drain. When building a French drain, you want to use a coarse rock that has been screened and washed. The rock that you see in this French Drain is 3/4″ and larger. You end up with large voids that'll move far more water.

Should I use landscape fabric in French drain?

Non-woven geotextile fabric is the best choice for drainage applications where water flow through (permeability) is the main concern. Non-woven landscape fabric is commonly used in French-drains, drain-fields, and erosion control.

Should I put rocks in my ditch?

Things You'll Need

A rock-lined ditch with water flowing in it is aesthetically pleasing. Lining a ditch with rock enhances any ditch. It improves water flow through the ditch, can trap trash and sediment and can reduce erosion.

Is pea gravel the same as river rock?

In fact, many people don't realize that pea gravel is actually river rock. It is just a smaller, smoother version of river rock. Pea gravel is widely available throughout the northeast, which makes it one of the most affordable of all decorative stones.

How much rock is needed to cover a French drain?

You would need around 0.72 cubic feet of gravel per foot length of French drain for a typical French drain width of 10 inches and a depth of 12 inches if you're using a 4" drain pipe. On the other hand, you would need around 0.6 cubic feet of gravel if you're using a 6" drain pipe.

How many years does a French drain last?

When enough sand, clay or silt gets past the fabric, the gravel spaces fill and the effectiveness of the french drain ends. This is why most experts state that a French drain is not a long-term solution to a drainage problem: You have to dig it up and reinstall it every eight to 10 years.

Is a French drain worth it?

French drains help prevent flooding and reduce the risk of long-term water damage to your property. They can last between 30 and 40 years. They're cost-effective. French drains can be aesthetically pleasing as they are usually covered with small rocks, plants and sometimes even decorative grates.

Is sand or gravel better for drainage?

Gravel layers provide much better drainage than sand. A layer of medium-sized angular gravel will allow water to flow downhill. On the other hand, sand will pack solid and trap water. If you use sand instead of gravel, your ditch, driveway, or trench will flood or be destroyed by washouts.

Whats better than a French drain?

A sump pump is one the the most popular and most effective alternatives to a french drain. A sump pump add lots of drainage but comes with a few downsides. A sump system requires electricity to function and can be expensive to install and maintain.

What size gravel is best for drainage?

In general, you want to aim for ½ inch to 1-inch gravel for drainage. Areas that will see especially heavy flow may need larger gravel. Or, projects without drainage pipes may also need larger gravel. For example, a French drain without perforated pipe needs 1 ½ inch gravel.

Can a French drain be too deep?

Gas and water lines, electrical wires, and sewer pipes are some of the things that this digging may encounter. If the drain is dug below the footer, it will cause the home to settle and it's important not to dig too deep.

Do you have to wrap a French drain?

So, for a French drain system, never use the pipe with a sleeve sock on it. Don't wrap your pipe with a filter wrap because you're going to want to wrap. You need a soil separator so that your stone and subsoil don't mix and it and it'll plug here.