Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    antipode12's Avatar
    antipode12 Posts: 248, Reputation: 8
    Full Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 12, 2008, 07:29 PM
    French Drain Backfill
    Quick one:

    When backfilling a French drain, what materials do you use?

    My thought was:

    Turf top
    Sand
    Pea gravel
    Perf pipe in a sock
    Pea gravel


    Does anyone use soil in their backfill? (I have mostly clay soil)
    smearcase's Avatar
    smearcase Posts: 2,392, Reputation: 316
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Aug 12, 2008, 08:08 PM
    Maybe someone else can answer but I need more information.
    What is the purpose of the french drain?
    Do you intend to intercept underground water as it rises with the water table?
    Is it intended to drain a pipe from somewhere else?
    Is it intended to get rid of surface water?
    Will it daylight somewhere to get rid of the water?
    Are you asking what to put over french drain stone or are you asking what to build the drain out of? Please excuse my prying but it is vital info to me.
    antipode12's Avatar
    antipode12 Posts: 248, Reputation: 8
    Full Member
    		  
    #3

    Aug 12, 2008, 09:01 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by smearcase
    Maybe someone else can answer but I need more information.
    What is the purpose of the french drain?
    Do you intend to intercept underground water as it rises with the water table?
    Is it intended to drain a pipe from somewhere else?
    Is it intended to get rid of surface water?
    Will it daylight somewhere to get rid of the water?
    Are you asking what to put over french drain stone or are you asking what to build the drain out of? Please excuse my prying but it is vital info to me.
    Good questions -- sorry.

    It's to get rid of surface water and it does NOT daylight. I just want to know how to backfill the trench.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #4

    Aug 12, 2008, 10:46 PM
    Dig trench, lay in nylon fabric, (weed block from garden shop is good), cover pipe with 4 to 6" of gravel, fold fabric over top or gravel, back fill. You have to use what ever soil you have to back fill. Clay is not good, if you can get some sandy or loamy soil that would be better, but do what you have to.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Aug 13, 2008, 04:59 AM
    Harold nailed it! Here's some more. I
    These guidelines are intended for a drain pipe that is 4 inches in diameter. For this project, you will need:

    Drain pipe
    Rocks
    Shovel
    1. Starting from where the water will enter the drain and ending where the water will flow out, dig a ditch that's about 10 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Keep in mind that you will need to dig deeper if your starting point slopes upward.

    2. Lay about 2 inches of rock into the trench before placing the pipe lengthwise into the ditch.

    3. Cover the pipe with another layer of rocks, again about 2 inches.

    4. Fill in the remaining space with soil and then plant some grass.
    Good luck, Tom
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #6

    Aug 13, 2008, 05:39 AM
    We put "sock" or nylon wrap over the pipe and fill with 1/2" gravel.
    jay h's Avatar
    jay h Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Apr 21, 2012, 07:57 PM
    I've got ample rock above and below my drain. Maybe 2 feet of rock and gravel. Here's what I'm wondering...

    After I pull up and wrap the fabric over the top, is their a limit on how much dirt I can cover it with? I've still got about 3 feet to get to grade, and I'm wondering if I can use a loomy soil for that purpose. Or, do I have to keep going with rock until I get to the sod layer?

    Please advise, and THANKS in advance!

    ~ j
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Determining existence of French Drain? [ 1 Answers ]

Hello, How do I determine if my house has a French Drain (FD) around the foundation? The house was built in 1970 without a garage. Garage was attached in 80's. A lot of landscape changes have also been made over time. Neighbor found out that he has FD when he added on to house this summer. On...

Wet Basement/French Drain [ 2 Answers ]

I have a basement that gets water in it when it rains heavily, covering one window helped, but didn't eliminate the problem there, and in heavy rain, it seems to be coming in from all over. How much help can cleaning and fixing gutters be? Do I need a french drain system, and how do I know what I...

Can you use sand in french drain [ 3 Answers ]

Can you uses sand instead of gravel in a french drain for yard drainage? Hope this is still a plumber question.

French drain. Well, that's what he told me it was. [ 14 Answers ]

I have a regular handyman who just recently put in a "french drain" by one of my basement windows. He did this on the recommendation of his friend. However, he admitted he had no idea what one was. Both of these guys told me to dig a 2' deep hole around the window. I did. Then, after he attached...

French drain [ 1 Answers ]

We have lived in the house for about 5 years. I would notice a few moist spots on the walls and floors after a heavy rain. But now the floor is always damp in the same two spots. One leading to the drain in the floor. Next to that is the little hole with the stones. I'm assuming that is the "french...

View more questions Search