Unfortunately, this blocks out water and can leave the area around the liner extra soggy. Instead, choose to use a landscaping tarp. The porous barrier allows water to flow into the trench and drain but will keep soil and gravel from mixing with one another. However, you can add additional catch basins to the drainage pipe as needed, depending on where your low spots are.
This also makes it possible to have different branches coming off of your main French Drain, if you so choose. Hi Bruce. This would enable hydraulic attachments, but keep in mind we cannot help with any engineering advice when changing our designs. It's our goal to make your yard drainage project a fast and successful experience by finding the best drainage solutions for your home and yard. We can help you to quickly connect with specialized yard drainage professionals who provide the services you need.
Just tell us details as best you can about your project and we'll put you in touch with best reviewed contractors in your area. JW Landscape Drainage. Contact Us. Assess the flood-prone area s of your yard to determine a general location and route for your French drain. Most important, determine where the water should go, and confirm that the exit or drainage end of the trench is in a suitable location.
Also consider the practical effects of an exposed gravel channel in the yard: How might it affect traffic routes, views, or recreation areas? Confirm that your yard drainage will not adversely impact anyone else's land or any public areas, which could lead to legal problems.
Check with your city's building authority to make sure your plans conform to local law. Call the national "Call Before You Dig," or " Dig Safe ," hotline to have all underground utility lines marked on your property.
This is essential before doing any digging. A French drain must be sloped to carry the water down to its destination.
A minimum slope of 1 percent that is, a drop of 1 foot for every feet in length is recommended. It's fine if your yard creates a natural slope that is steeper; just be aware that steepness increases water velocity and can lead to more erosion in the discharge area. Check the natural slope by driving a stake at the beginning and end of the planned trench route.
Tie a mason's line tightly to one of the stakes; then run it over to the other stake and tie it off loosely. Attach a line level to the line. Detach the loose end of the line, pull the line taut, adjust it so it is level, and tie it securely to its stake. Measure straight down from the line to the ground at regular intervals every 4 feet, or so to see how the slope changes. You can adjust the depth of the trench as needed to create the desired slope; working against a natural slope just means more digging.
Reset the stakes and level line, if necessary, so the line runs down the center of the planned trench. Begin digging the trench by cutting a straight line through the sod, 3 inches or as desired to one side of the line using a square garden spade. Repeat the same process on the other side, also 3 inches from the line, for a total trench width of 6 inches or as desired.
Again, the similar appearance may make it difficult to see that the ground is not level so supervise pets and children to ensure their safety when playing around the swales.
This is one of the most common choices for swale landscaping, and it is a great way to manage runoff, limit erosion, slow water flow and allow rainwater to more efficiently infiltrate into the soil.
Gravel is also an attractive option that is inexpensive and can be used in just about any situation, which makes this a good choice for most homeowners.
However, it can give your swale an even more utilitarian look and can emphasize that you have a swale running through your landscaping. Turfstone pavers are a type of permeable paving stone that can bring stability to gently sloping swales. The lattice-like design allows you to plant grass or other living ground cover options in the open spaces, or you can fill these spaces with gravel. This durable, attractive option can help you avoid runoff and erosion and can help filter water as it infiltrates the soil.
Homeowners who choose this option for their swales often appreciate the visual appeal of grass or other living ground covers but want to avoid erosion on the sides of their swales and may want to use their swales for other purposes — such as walkways. Shallow swales, or even deeper swales with wide bases, can be used as seasonal walkways in arid climates. In areas like Southern California where our swales are usually dry, we can design swales as multifunctional landscaping features that serve as water management systems and as walkways.
As long as you do not impede the flow of water, you can line your swale with gravel and place stepping stones along the base to create a walkway. Alternatively, in a shallow swale, you can install a durable, attractive, paving stone walkway. Mulch, bark, wood chips and similar walkway materials are not as good of an idea, since they will wash away with a heavy rain and could end up in storm water drains.
This one is really where I think most Southern California homeowners will find the most inspiration. The movement towards xeriscaping and other drought-tolerant styles of landscape design definitely have most of us using more rocks, gravel and native plants in our designs.
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