A soggy lawn, pooling water, or a damp basement often points to drainage problems. A French drain is a time-tested solution that channels excess water away from your home and yard. While it requires some digging, the process is straightforward if you follow the right steps with the right materials.
1. Plan and Prepare
Walk your yard after heavy rain to see where water collects.
Choose a path that slopes downward, leading water away from your foundation.
Call local utility companies before digging to avoid buried lines.
Gather tools: shovel, wheelbarrow, landscape fabric, perforated pipe, gravel, and a level.
2. Dig the Trench
Mark the path with spray paint or stakes.
Dig a trench about 18–24 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
Ensure the trench slopes at least 1 inch for every 8 feet (use a level and string line to confirm).
Pile soil on a tarp for easier cleanup.
3. Line the Trench
Lay heavy-duty landscape fabric inside the trench, leaving extra to fold over later.
This prevents soil from clogging the gravel and pipe over time.
4. Add Gravel Base
Pour in 2–3 inches of clean gravel.
Smooth it out to maintain the trench’s slope.
5. Install the Pipe
Use perforated PVC or corrugated pipe, holes facing downward.
Lay the pipe along the trench on top of the gravel base.
Connect pipe sections with couplers and direct the outlet to a safe drainage area (street curb, dry well, or drainage ditch).
6. Cover and Backfill
Add more gravel on top of the pipe, covering it by at least 6 inches.
Fold the excess landscape fabric over the gravel like a burrito—this helps keep soil out.
Backfill the rest of the trench with topsoil and re-seed with grass, or cover with decorative stone.
7. Final Check
Run a garden hose near the problem area to test water flow through the drain.
Confirm water exits freely at the outlet point.
Conclusion
A French drain is a simple yet powerful way to control water and protect your home from moisture damage. With careful planning, good slope, and proper materials, you’ll end up with a discreet system that keeps your yard dry and your foundation safe for years to come.
