Digging Trenches for French Drain Installation in Kingston, WA; How Wide & Deep Should a Drain Design Be & More

Water messes can be a problem for homeowners. Thankfully, with a French drain system, which is a plastic drainpipe in a gravel-filled trench, you can have an effective way to remove excess ground water. Whether you have a professional install the French drain system, or you do it yourself, digging the trench is first step. Where the experts of Straight Up Remodeling are readily available to ensure efficiently digging the trench you need for your French drains, today, we would like to discuss the basics of how it is done.

French Drain System Components

1) Though they require more work, larger trenches provide better drainage and last longer. However, a trench at least 12 inches wide and 18 to 24 inches deep is necessary.
2) To collect excess water, you need a 4-inch-diameter perforated plastic drainpipe.
3) Washed drainage gravel – use a gravel calculator to figure out what you need specifically.
4) To prevent silt and roots from entering the drainpipe, invest in water-permeable landscape fabric.
Though it can be a little more expensive, rigid PVC drainpipe is a better investment than flexible drainpipe since it requires glued fittings, but it is virtually crush-proof. Additionally, to clear clogs in rigid PVC, you can use a power snake easily, however, a snake will ruin flexible pipe.

Prior to Digging Trench for French Drain; Plan for Displaced Dirt & More

Whether you opt to dig the trench yourself, or a professional gets it done for you, it is critical that you reach out to Call Before Your Dig hotline. Before you start digging you can tap free city services that can mark the location of all underground utilities by dialing 811. You will also need to plan for dirt. You will need to figure out where to put your dirt because you will be excavating a large amount of dirt and replacing it with drainage gravel. A few ideas include create raised beds; filling in low spots and building up foundation slope.

How to Dig a Trench; By Hand, Digging Machine & More

1) Digging by hand. Though this is the cheapest solution it is quite labor-intensive and time consuming.
2) Renting a trenching tool. There are a few options, usually available at home improvement stores, to rent a trenching tool. You are responsible for the tool and it still can be fairly labor-intensive. Getting the tool back and forth is also your responsibility as well.
3) Hiring an expert. Ultimately, hiring a professional, such as Straight Up Remodeling, is the most effective way to get the trench dug. With affordable pricing, you can trust the expert to get the trench dug safely and efficiently. You can eliminate unnecessary costs, especially those stemming from mistakes, as well as the worry and burdens of renting the equipment with the help of a professional.

Installing a French Drain

1) Make sure the underground utilities marked by calling the 811 hotline.
2) Dig the trench, with a professional for more proficiency and safety.
3) With landscape fabric, line the professionally dug trench. To extend 1 foot past the tops of the trench walls on both sides, the fabric should be wide enough. Using nails or landscape fabric pins, temporarily pin the excess in place.
4) To the bottom of the trench, add 2 to 3 inches of gravel.
5) With the drain holes facing down, lay the drainpipe in the trench.
6) Using gravel, cover the drainpipe within 2 to 3 inches of the top of the trench.
7) Over the top of the gravel, fold the excess landscape fabric.
8) The top of the trench needs to be filled with soil and from there, you can reseed with grass.

Trench Digging & More in Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Silverdale, Port Orchard, Shelton, Belfair & Allyn, WA | Kitsap County, Mason County & Gig Harbor, Washington

When it comes to digging the trench for your French drain system in the Greater Port Orchard, WA area, call in the experts at Straight Up Remodeling to ensure superior execution and better build your French drain system.