A french drain system is an indispensable component of any subgrade waterproofing project.
French drain along retaining wall.
You may have to submit plans for your wall and schedule a property inspection to ensure that building a retaining wall won t create drainage problems.
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.
French drains can also help divert water when you re building a retaining wall on a steep slope.
The pipe should rest on the same compacted gravel base or concrete footing that supports the wall.
A properly designed french drain reduces the pressure exerted upon retaining walls and subgrade walls that with time can induce moisture inside basements and crawl spaces.
If aggregate of different sizes is used smaller pieces usually go closer to the pipe while larger pieces sit closer to and on the.
It should be located on the uphill side of the wall so it can catch water running down the hill and prevent it from undermining the wall.
Where to install a french drain.
It can help if the natural slope of your property directs water right toward a patio or other outdoor structure.
A french drain is a virtual necessity when building a retaining wall on a hill.
Otherwise water moving down the hill will build up behind the wall and undermine it.
A french drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard.
A locking flange along.
You can also use a french drain to keep water from pooling in low areas of your yard.
Some of these drains are vented through the front of the retaining wall while others may run the length of the wall and drain out to the sides.
Pipe drains also known as toe drains are perforated pipes that collect water along the length of the wall and drain it to the outside.