Even the most beautiful, well-maintained lawn and landscape can fail due to water drainage issues. Installing a french drain is a common, effective way to remedy water problems, such as, soggy spots in your yard and garden beds, foundation damage, water in your basement, or crawl spaces.
Gravel is a key element in the installation of a french drain. What size gravel for a french drain? That can be tricky: Choose a gravel that’s too big and water will not drain, while a gravel that’s too small will be ineffectual at moving away standing water.
Read on to learn more about how french drains work and what size gravel keeps the drain in perfect working condition.
What is a french drain?
French drains weren’t invented in the country of the same name, but rather by a man named Henry French, a farmer who lived in Massachusetts in the mid 1850s. His idea for removing water?
Carve a path underground that helps move water to an acceptable place, like a storm drain, driveway, or other water collection system.
Once the trench is carved, a perforated pipe filled with gravel is set into the channel and then covered with a permeable fabric to keep debris out. This system allows water to soak through the soil and into the pipe where it then flows, unobstructed, through the gravel to its desired emptying out point.
What size gravel for french drain?
For a french drain to work properly, the right size gravel is key. We recommend a gravel size that is no larger than 1.5 inches and no smaller than ½ an inch in diameter.
Gravel that fits this bill includes #57 limestone (jagged) or #57 washed gravel (round). River rock is another great option because it is smooth, tough, and can be purchased in similar-sized quantities.
Whether you choose granite or river rock, make sure you choose a “washed” variety to avoid clogging your french drain with dust right from the get-go.
While you can install a french drain yourself, it is time-intensive, and, if not done properly, can actually make your water issues worse. Hiring a professional landscape company ensures your French drain system is engineered appropriately for your home. Choosing the right size gravel from the start for your French drain can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress!
To find out more about our french drain services, request a quote online or call 859-635-5680 today!
