PROCEDURE FOR FRENCH  DRAINS

1) With the use of a common spade shovel (round nose) 8" wide or ditch witch, dig a trench the width of the shovel, 18" to 30" deep through the length of the low lying area required to be drained.

2) Measure the length of the trench (you may also want to "T" trench across the rear of the lot in the area that is low).  Measure the entire length of trenches dug.  (This will be the amount of 4" PVC perforated drain pipe you will need if you choose to use the pipe.)

3)  Take the above measurement to a bulk materials supply house and provide them with the dimensions of the trench: L=Length X W=Width X H=Height. 

4)  Inform them that you want enough #57 stone to install all the way to approximately 3" below the surface of the ground.  (If you are going to install a 4" perforated pipe, this will sit on top of 4" of stone called "bedding.")

5) Fill the trench with the stone, use some of the soil extracted to cover top of stone. Then just seed and mulch the disturbed areas. This is a long term temporary isolated drainage system that should last about 5-7 years.

THIS PROCEDURE IS STRICTLY USED IN AREAS OF DRAINAGE TROUBLED NEIGHBORHOODS ON AN INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTARY BASIS. IT DOES WORK IN MOST CASES BUT IF YOUR AREA IS ONE WITH A HIGH WATER TABLE, (GROUND WATER SATURATION), IT MAY NOT BE AS EFFECTIVE.

THE CONCEPT IS INTENDED TO ALLOW THE GROUND SURFACE WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE GROUND AND SATURATE BACK INTO THE EARTH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRENCHING.  

A HAND DRAWING IS REQUIRED TO BE TURNED INTO THE ENGINEER'S OFFICE PRIOR TO STARTING THE WORK. 

FOR QUESTIONS OR FURTHER GUIDANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY ENGINEER’S OFFICE AT (440) 353-0842.