The Life Span of a French Drain

Innovation

• In the 1960s, French drains were considered innovative technology. They were installed to protect high end homes from water accumulation. These early French drains were little more than gravel filled trenches that diverted water until sediment rendered them useless. Some are reported to still be functional.

Modern French Drains

• Even the least of today's French drains consist of a perforated plastic pipe surrounded by gravel and buried in the ground. More advanced models utilize pipe liners to help reduce clogging by sediment or are constructed as narrow, but deeper, systems. These systems are designed to function for 30 years or more.

Lifespan Shortening Problems

• Many things can go wrong with French drains and they are difficult to troubleshoot. Poorly positioned drains often lead to backup or slow draining, making French drains less than effective. Fine sediment can partially fill the drain pipe, reducing the amount of space for water to evacuate. These problems can lead to backup and wet basements or crawlspaces.

Proper Installation is Key

• Proper installation is key to the longest lifespan possible for your French drain. Use 4-inch polyethylene pipe for the drainage system. Trenches for standard French drains are 12 inches wide and gradually grade to the lowest corner of the yard. Crushed rock that is approximately 3/4 inches in diameter is recommended as fill surrounding the drainage pipe.