[tdlandscape]

Hi all,

I have a client that has groundwater seeping constantly onto her driveway, which is on a hill, therefore potentially dangerous when winter hits.
I have installed french drains in the past using perforated pipe, but is the pipe actually necessary or would the system work with just gravel? Does anyone know?
My idea as a least expensive option is to dig a trench with the appropriate grade and fill with 1" gravel. Would placing waterproof plastic on the downhill (driveway) side of the trench be helpful in preventing the water to breach the trench?
All comments/thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Smitty

p.s.- this may be the wrong forum, please redirect as needed.

[NCSULandscaper]

$45 for a 100' roll of corrugated pipe, not alot of money to make the area drain out quick......the water will flow easier to have an open area to travel in

[tdlandscape]

Good point.
Thanks.

[Pelican]

I've stopped using the rolled corrugated pipe, I've found it crushes too easily. Depending on how much stone you have, just the weight of the stone can crush it. To answer your question, yes, a french drain can be constructed without pipe, but as NCSULandscaper points out, pipe improves flow and can compensate for any obstruction that might infiltrate the stone in the future. I always put perforated pipe in the bottom but I use PVC. It runs about $4 for 10' section

[glaciator]

If you just use gravel, put a 6" layer down about 12", then a layer of woven weed fabric (Landmaster55 for example), then another 6" gravel, then weed barrier, then soil. It keeps the soil fines from filtering into the gravel and plugging it over time. Or use perforated pipe. I wrap mine with woven fabric to keep soils out too.

[uniscaper]

Originally Posted by glaciator

Or use perforated pipe. I wrap mine with woven fabric to keep soils out too.

Or you can just buy the Perforated Drain tile with a filter sock already on it.