French Drain, Surface Drain, Drainage System

French Drain, Surface Drain, Drainage System

Angie's List Customer Service Award Winner        Activerain Member

CMG Installs Drainage Systems in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, and all of Central Oklahoma.

Drains can protect your home and property from water damage.  CMG installs a wide variety of Drains in many different places.  A Drain or Group of Drains with Drain Pipe going to an exit point is a "Drainage System."

Channel Drain Installation in Oklahoma City

Drainage Systems can be made up of one drain or a combination of many drains.  Drainage  problems can be very complex.   Complex Drainage Problems may require a combination of several different types of drains all inter-connected and working together.  Other times the drainage problem may be simple and straight-forward requiring only one drain or several of the same type of drain connected together.

An example of a complex drainage system would be:  A French Drain in the back yard connected to a Surface Drain near a flower bed connected to several gutter downspouts, which are connected to a Channel Drain going across a driveway, which is connected to additional Surface Drain in the front yard, which runs to a Curb Fitting that lets all the water drain out on to the street.

A simple Drainage System might consist of a Surface Drain that is connected to a second Surface Drain which runs to a Pop-up Emitter which lets water drain over the curb and into the street.

Surface Drain Installation in Edmond

CMG Installs all types of Drainage Systems  in Oklahoma.

Today we installed a 6 Inch French Drain at an apartment complex near Lake Heffner.  The French Drain started in the back yard of one unit.  The Drain Pipe went under the fence and into the adjoining unit's back yard.  The French Drain then looped around their patio and out under their fence to the west.  To get the 6 inch Drain Pipe to the correct Exit Point, we had to cut out 30 feet of sidewalk and run the French Drain Pipe under the sidewalk.  Next, we replaced the sidewalk with new concrete.  Finally, we dug a drainage ditch across the front yard to the parking lot.  We covered the Drain Pipe with sod that we carefully removed when digging the trench.  At the edge of the parking lot a 6 inch Pop-Up Emitter was installed to release the Storm water.  Seven Gutters were connected directly into the Drainage System along the way.

This particular Drainage System was made up of 55 Feet of 6 inch French Drain, 78 Feet of Solid ADS Solid Drain Pipe, Seven Gutter Connections, and one 6 inch Pop-Up Emitter.

Surface Drain in Low Area in the Corner

Oklahoma City French Drain Installation, Angie's List Customer Service Award Winner

This week we installed a 6 Inch French Drain in Oklahoma City.  Water was running down the hill, under the back fence, into the back yard, across the sidewalk, and into the side door going into the garage.  After every heavy rain, water was getting into the garage.  CMG installed a 6 Inch French Drain across the back yard to divert the water.  We also connected the Gutter Down Spouts Directly into the French Drain.  Once the French Drain was down hill from the house, we changed from French Drain Pipe to solid 6 inch ADS Drain Pipe and continued across the front yard to the street.  Once at the curb, we cut the curb with a concrete saw and installed a Curb Outlet for the French Drain.  Problem solved!

Installing a French Drain outlet through the curb in Oklahoma City

French Drain Installation is a primary focus for CMG Sprinklers and Drains.  Angie's List has awarded us their Customer Service Award for the State of Oklahoma for top quality French Drain Installation.  Along with the French Drain Customer Service Award, Angie's List has given CMG their top A+ Rating and placed us at the top of their website for Oklahoma French Drain Installation.


CMG also installs a variety of other types of Drains.  Our Drainage Systems may utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.  In the past 21 years, we have installed French Drains to keep water away from home and business foundations, Surface Drains to keep water away from sidewalks and driveways,  Trench Drains, and French Drains to keep standing water out of flowerbeds and yards, and Sump Pumps to remove water from basements and outdoor low lying areas.

French Drain with stepping stones

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

Installation of a Drainage System, French Drain, In Norman Oklahoma

If you live in Oklahoma City and need a French Drain installed in your yard, or along your driveway, or near your foundation, give CMG a call.  If you live in Edmond or Norman and need a Surface Drain installed in the concrete in your sidewalk or driveway, we can help.  If you live in Mustang or Yukon and would like to protect your trees or flower beds from standing water with a French Drain, CMG specializes in just that!

Servicing: Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, Del City, Moore, Yukon, Mustang, Purcell, Blanchard, Purcell.

French Drain in Oklahoma City, Drainage System, Surface Drain

French Drain Installation has been an area of focus for CMG for the past 21 years.  During that time we have installed over 2000 French Drains in the Oklahoma City area. A French Drain is one of several types of Drains that can make - up a Drainage System.   French Drains are intended to move large amounts of water away from a Problem Drainage Area.  Water may be standing in that area, flowing across the area on the surface, or flowing across the area below ground or "Sub Surface."  A French Drain can remove Standing Water, Water Flow at ground level, or water flow below ground level. (Surface Drains can't do this!)

Recently we installed a Double Six inch French Drain in Edmond.  A Double French Drain is simple.  Instead of installing one French Drain Pipe, You install two French Drain Pipes side by side in the same trench.  This is necessary when trying to divert a large volume of water that is moving fast down a steep incline or hill.  The Trench is wider and deeper than normal and can handle a huge volume of water.   A Double French Drain also may be considered when trying to protect a home or important building from potential flooding.  Many times the installation of two French Drains side by side is overkill.  It is done to ensure the customer has piece of mind and never has to worry about potential flooding.

French Drain Installation in Norman

A French Drain many is  used to move water away from or protect foundations.  A French Drain will move both Surface Water and Sub Surface water away from a buildings foundation to an Exit Point where the water can be released without doing damage.

French Drain with colored river rock

 

Large 6 Inch French Drain Installed in Norman

Cutting The Curb and Installing Curb Fitting for French Drain

Oklahoma City French Drain, Drainage System, Edmond,Norman, Moore.

Angie's List Customer Service Award Winner for French Drain Installation.

Drainage Systems have several basic parts.

Water Entry

Water Transition

Water Exit

 

Water entry is the process where water enters the Drainage System.  This done with water entering drain pipe through a French Drain.  Water flows to a low area with a trench.  In the bottom of the trench is a Perforated French Drain Pipe with a liner or a soc.  Gravel or crushed limestone fills the trench on top of the French Drain Pipe.

French Drain connected into Drainage System

Water can also enter a Drainage System through a Surface Drain.  Water flows to a Drainage Basin, falls through the grate and enters the Drainage Pipe below.

Drainage Basin with grate

A third way for water to enter is to connect Gutter Down Spouts Directly into a Drainage System.

Connecting Gutter into French Drain System

Water Transition is moving water through Drain Pipe to the Exit Point.

Installation of a Drainage System, French Drain, In Norman Oklahoma

Exit points are either Pop-Up Emitters or Curb outlets.

Curb outlet for a French Drain

CMG installs French Drains and all types of Drainage Systems in Oklahoma City, Yukon, Edmond, Norman, Moore and Mustang.

CMG has done a lot of work recently in Edmond, Oklahoma City and Norman, here are some Photos.

We install French Drains, Surface Drains, and all types of Drainage Systems -

21 Years of Service in Central Oklahoma!

Solid Drain Pipe Running from French Drain in Back Yard

Installing Curb Outlet for French Drain in Oklahoma City

Finished Curb Outlet for French Drain

Installing Solid 4 Inch Drain Pipe Between French Drain and Curb

French Drain in Edmond Oklahoma

cmgsprinklersanddrains.blogspot.com

French Drain running along foundation

Edmond Oklahoma has been the location for many French Drain Installations for CMG in the past several years.  Recently we ripped out an old Surface Drain that was under a deck.  The Surface Drain was too small for the job and did not Protect the Foundation from Standing Water.  The First step was to take out part of the deck along the wall.  Next we took out the Surface Drain and the Three Inch Pipe which was too small.  Digging a trench along the foundation came next.  We had to ensure the, "Fall" to make sure the water would run from left to right.  Next a French Drain Liner needed to be installed.  This was necessary to maintain the integrity of the trench and to keep the French Drain Pipe from filling up with sand and getting clogged over the next few years.  CMG then installed 4 inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain Pipe along the course of the French Drain.  Next we connected the end of the French Drain Pipe to Solid 4 Inch ADS Drain pipe to continue along the trench to the Pop-Up Emitter at the Exit Point.

Running Drain Pipe across Front Yard for a French Drain

A good Drainage System has a point where water enters the System.  This is usually through a French Drain, Surface Drain, or a Gutter Down Spout that is connected into a Drain Pipe.   Water will run through either Perforated French Drain Pipe or Solid Drain Pipe depending on the Drainage System Design.  Water will flow down hill to an Exit Point where the water will be released out of the Drainage System.  This is a done through a Pop-Up Emitter or a Curb Fitting.

Cutting The Curb and Installing Curb Fitting for French Drain

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO LIBRARY!

Photos of French Drains -

 

Photos of Surface Drains -

 

Photos of Channel Drains

 

Photos of Sprinkler System Installation -Photos of Sprinkler Repair -

What Type or Size French Drain Pipe Should You Use?

French Drains can be decorated with many types of stone

French Drains can utilize  several types and sizes of French Drain Pipe.  An older type that is not commonly used any more is 4 inch PVC Pipe with large half inch holes drilled in the Pipe.  This doesn't work very well,   Because the holes are too large and the number of holes in the French Drain Pipe are too few.  Also there is no filter or "Soc" around this particular French Drain Pipe.  If it is used in sandy or loose soil the holes will clog and the pipe will fill up with sand.  PVC French Drain Pipe should be avoided.

ADS French Drain Pipe is much better, the holes are smaller and much more numerous.  It also comes inside a soc that acts as a filter and helps keep sand and debris out of the French Drain Pipe.  It works very well.

French Drain in flowerbed

For Small business and Residential French Drains, Four inch ADS Perf/Soc French Drain pipe is adequate and the most common.  It is used for the majority of all French Drains installed.  French Drains can be installed using 3 inch ADS Perf/Soc but many times it is too small and can be overwhelmed by a heavy rain or from a bad design.  (Too many gutter down spouts connected directly into the French Drain, For Example)  Three Inch French Drain Pipe should be avoided if possible.

Six inch  ADS Perf/Soc French Drain Pipe is usually a good idea when possible.  It carries a much larger volume of water.  Six Inch French Drains are rarely overwhelmed.

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

The Drawbacks to 6 inch French Drain installation are:  1.  The Materials Cost is higher for six-inch French Drain Compared to Four Inch Pipe.

                                                                                                                    2.  Many times 6 Inch French Drain Pipe is too large for many applications, Such as going under a fence or sidewalk.  

                                                                                                                   3.  The trench for a 6 inch French Drain must be much larger than a 4 Inch

                                                                                                                   4.  The amount of gravel or limestone or River Rock used to Cover the 6 inch French Drain is Much larger

 

All things being considered, the performance and longevity of a 6 inch French Drain is well worth it if you are trying to protect something of value to you!  If the higher cost and the additional labor and materials are not a problem and 6 inch French Drain pipe is not too big for what you want to do then a 6 inch French Drain would be the best.  

Drains Installed in Concrete in Driveway

Drain Installation in the middle of a driveway

CMG installs Surface Drains in Sidewalks and Driveways as shown above.  We also install French Drains and Channel Drains.  This particular Surface Drain was installed to keep water from running down the driveway into the garage.  Problem solved!

If you have questions about French Drains or Drainage Systems, E-mail us at cmgsprinklers@gmail.com

 

Check out our Photo Library.  We have Pictures of French Drains and Pictures of Surface Drains.

Surface Drain installed in Driveway

French Drain Installation with Colored River Rock in Edmond

French Drain Installation is a primary focus for CMG.  We have 21 years of experience installing all types of Drainage Systems.  French Drains and Surface Drains are the most common.  French Drains when installed correctly, move water faster and in greater volume than Surface Drains. A French Drain is designed to drain and protect a large area such as along a foundation or across a hillside or through a large low spot in your yard. French Drain installation requires experience and attention to detail for best performance.  CMG provides both.

French Drain With Colored Gravel

 

If you have a question about French Drain Installation contact us.  We will respond ASAP!   Send question to Blane at cmgsprinklers@gmail.com

Cutting the curb to install a Curb Fitting for a French Drain

French Drain Installation

French Drain Pipe Installation

French Drain Installation, Yukon, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Norman

CMG Sprinklers and Drains -- provides three basic services. Irrigation Systems *** Sprinkler Adjustment *** French Drains*** Sprinkler Repair *** Surface Drains *** Sump Pumps *** Rain Sensors *** Drainage Systems
We solve residential and commercial drainage problems.
We Install lawn Sprinkler Systems.
We repair and redesign Sprinkler Systems.
After a thunder storm, do you have water standing on your driveway, sidewalk, on the side of your house, backyard, front yard, or worst of all -- seeping into your home? CMG can help! We can diagnose your Drainage Problem and design a drainage system specifically for your needs. We install: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, Basement Drains, and Sump Pumps.

Sprinkler System Installation and Sprinkler Repair are both central parts of our business. CMG has installed new Lawn Sprinkler Systems and provided Expert Sprinkler System Repair Since 1993. We can provide all Major Brands of Sprinkler Equipment. We Prefer " Rain Bird, or Hunter."
Servicing: Oklahoma City, Norman, Midwest City, Del City, Moore, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Purcell,

French Drain Installation can be a big part of  installing a Drainage System.  A French Drain is not the only type of Drain that can be used.  A Drainage System can utilize several types of drains including a French Drain, Surface Drain, or Channel Drain.

Installing Gravel on top of a 6 inch French Drain

A  French Drain is completely different from a Surface Drain.  A basic French Drain consists of a Perforated Drain Pipe in the bottom of a trench.  A  Trench Liner is sometimes used depending on the Drainage System Design and the type of soil.   The Drain Pipe should have a neoprene sock around the Perforated Drain Pipe.   This is to ensure that the Drain Pipe does not become clogged. A trench is dug that is slightly wider than the French Drain Pipe that is being used.  There are several sizes of French Drain Pipe.   Three Inch, Four Inch, and Six Inch are the most common sizes of French drain Pipe. The dirt that is taken out to make the trench is hauled away.  It is replaced by some type of small stone or gravel depending on what is desired or available.  I prefer crushed 1 inch lime stone.  It is the most economical option in my area.  Pea Gravel or some other type of small stone can work just as well.    The lime-stone or gravel is placed in the trench on top of the perforated Drain Pipe and filled all the way to the surface (ground level).   In some cases where the French Drain needs to be deep or is being placed in sandy soil, a special trench liner must be placed in the trench before the perforated Drain Pipe or the Gravel are installed.  This helps maintain the integrity of the trench over time.  It also increases the cost of the French Drain and the amount of time to install it.  I install a trench liner in a French Drain about 20% of the time.  Most of the time a liner in not needed.

A French Drain is designed to handle a large volume of water and cover a large area. The Drain is anyplace the trench goes. It has many applications and can be used in many situations.  It can be installed by itself or incorporated into a Drainage System with Surface Drains or Gutter Down-Spouts connected to it.

The main downfall of a French Drain is that they, for the most part aren't very pretty.  They don't look very nice in a yard once they are completed.

Depending on the area the French Drain is installed and the type of grass around the French Drain, will dictate whether grass grows over the lime stone.  Grass can grow up and through the gravel in the French Drain over time eventually covering the gravel.  This is OK.  It won't have a measurable effect on the performance of the French Drain.  In some cases thick grass growing up through the French Drain will create a natural "Thatch" filter.  This makes the French Drain invisible.  The trick is to allow the grass to grow over the French Drain Gravel without covering it up with dirt.  Grasses such as Bermuda which grow well in the sun will put out runners and new roots and will grow up and through the French Drain.  This will not affect the performance of the French Drain.  The problem is that some times depending on the type of soil involved, it may take a long time to completely cover up the French Drain.  Sprinkling grass seed down in the gravel will speed up the process.

DON'T COVER THE GRAVEL IN THE FRENCH DRAIN WITH DIRT.  THE FRENCH DRAIN WON'T WORK IF THE TRENCH IS CLOGGED WITH DIRT.  DON'T EVEN INSTALL IT IF YOU ARE GOING TO COVER IT UP WITH DIRT.   

If you install a French Drain in a sunny area, you can:

                                         A.  Leave the  French Drain as-is and allow grass to grow over it in time.

                                         B.  Add grass seed directly to the French Drain gravel with (Light Hand Watering) to speed the growth process

                                         C.  Leave the French Drain as-is but decorate it with stepping stones and landscaping rocks ( leaving large cracks between stones to allow water to get into the French Drain,

2

If you install a French Drain in a shady area you can:

                                        A.  Leave the French Drain as-is, it will work well and look as it did for many years.

                                        B.  Leave the French Drain as-is, but decorate it with stepping stones or landscaping rocks.  Many French Drains are hidden under rock walk ways.IF YOU NEED WATER DRAINED AWAY FROM YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS CALL CMG.  405-226-0629  CMG Sprinklers and Drains installs all types of Drainage Systems and French Drains.
French Drain Installation is a primary focus for CMG Sprinklers and Drains.  Angie's List has awarded us their Customer Service Award for the State of Oklahoma for top quality French Drain Installation.  Along with the French Drain Customer Service Award, Angie's List has given CMG their top A+ Rating and placed us at the top of their website for Oklahoma French Drain Installation.  CMG also installs a variety of other types of Drains.  Our Drainage Systems may utilize: French Drains, Surface Drains, Channel Drains, Trench Drains, Basin Drains, and Sump Pumps.  In the past 21 years, we have installed French Drains to keep water away from home and business foundations, Surface Drains to keep water away from sidewalks and driveways,  Trench Drains, and French Drains to keep standing water out of flowerbeds and yards, and Sump Pumps to remove water from basements and outdoor low lying areas.

French Drain with stepping stones

A+ Rating on Angie's List

Since 1993 we have gained a lot of experience addressing drainage problems.  Drainage problems can be complicated.  The solution is not always clear to the untrained eye.  CMG has repaired or overhauled many french drains and drainage systems that were installed by, "weekend warriors, a brother-in-law, or a landscaping company that also installs drains."  They all can install Drainage Systems, Just not very well.  CMG has over 20 years of experience Diagnosing Drainage Problems.  This ensures that a Drainage System that we install won't have Drain Pipes that are too small, or Surface Drains installed where French Drains Should be placed, or Exit Points that allow water to Stand and become stagnant.  The above examples are just three of many "Pit - Falls" that our experienced Drainage System Experts can easily avoid.

Surface Drain installed in Oklahoma City

CMG Sprinkler and Drain, -- Over 20 years of keeping water away from foundations,  Keeping water off of driveways, and Keeping Water  from standing on sidewalks every time it rains.  Our Drainage Systems utilize:  French Drains -- 3 inch, 4 inch, and 6 inch
Surface Drains, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 12 inch
Channel Drains, 2 inch, and 4 inch
Sump Pumps 3/4 horse to two horse
Servicing Central Oklahoma including: Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, Newcastle, Midwest City, Del City, Moore, Blanchard, Choctaw, and all surrounding areas.

Connecting Gutter into French Drain

French Drains can be installed by themselves, or as part of a Drainage System that uses other French Drains, Surface Drains, or other Drain combinations.  Typically a French Drain is used to protect a broad area that has a lot of standing water.  A French Drain might run along side a homes foundation, or beside a driveway, or on any Drainage Project where Sub-Surface water is the primary problem.  If water is running toward your home under ground ( through sandy soil), A French Drain is the only Solution  for draining away water flowing under ground.

6 Inch French Drain

If you live in Oklahoma City and need a French Drain installed in your yard, or along your driveway, or near your foundation, give CMG a call.  If you live in Edmond or Norman and need a Surface Drain installed in the concrete in your sidewalk or driveway, we can help.  If you live in Mustang or Yukon and would like to protect your trees or flower beds from standing water with a French Drain, CMG specializes in just that!

Cutting the curb for a French Drain Outlet