Lifehacks

What kind of rock do you use for a French drain?

What kind of rock do you use for 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.

Which gravel is best for drainage?

Landscaping Gravel for Drainage Under a downspout works well. Use Pea Gravel, Bluestone Gravel, River Wash, or Surge Gray Stone. Ideally, you’ll install another method to divert excess water — either a dry well or drainage pipe to carry water away as well.

Is pea gravel good 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.

Is 57 gravel good for French drain?

Washed clean stone with an average size of 3/4 inch. This is used as drainage stone inside of French drains and in the back of retaining walls and for gravel driveways.

How deep should you bury a French drain?

French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.

Is sand or pea gravel better for drainage?

It’s recommended to place down a few layers of crushed rock or sand underneath the gravel in order to stabilize the drainage surface. When it comes to drainage material layer size, typically a two- to three-inch layer of gravel will effectively deter water buildup.

How many years does a French drain last?

approximately 30 to 40 years
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.

What type of rock to use for French drain?

Hard Rock Rules. 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 is the best gravel 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.

How deep should you install French drain pipes?

For a slab foundation, you want the pipe below the slab or about 2 feet. If you have a basement, you can install the French drain 6-feet deep or more depending on the depth of your basement.

Do French drains really work?

French drains are effective,but if you are planning or redirecting or moving huge amounts of water, then it wont work as successfully. They canremove moisture from over-saturated soil, but the soil should be sloped considerably in order for the water to drain into the basin.