Installing French drains

LAST UPDATED: 9th January 2023 by The Editorial Team

Installing French drains

Summary: Step by step guide and video showing how to construct a French drain.

How to build a French drain

A French drain is a simple and efficient form of drainage that requires no pipe work. Water collects in a trench filled with gravel or stone, preventing ground surface water from penetrating foundations. The French drain will carry water away from the wall or property to a soak away. French drains are also often used to drain water away from retaining walls or from the outlet of a septic tank. Though easy to construct you may need a surveyor if you don’t think you can get the gradient right. You may require planning permission for the drain but if not, the drain must still comply with building regulations.

Constructing a French drain

  • The drain must end in a soak away (see constructing a soak away).
  • First choose the best location for your soak away where water draining off a slope could be redirected, ideally an out-of-the-way area with sandy soil.
  • Check for underground cables or pipes in the area. You may need to consult your local service providers.
  • Plot the direction of your trench with stakes and a string line.
  • The drain normally begins just below the surface and runs at a gradient to the soak away. If there is no natural drainage slope, you will need to create one to direct the water. A grade of 1 in 100 is recommended i.e. a drop of 300mm (1ft) for every 30m (100ft) in length.
  • The trench should be a minimum of 150mm (6in) wide.
  • Line the trench with ground sheeting. This allows water to pass through but not soil which can block the drain over a period of time.
  • Fill the trench to within 10mm (1/2in) of the top with clean stone or 20mm (4/5in) gravel.
  • Wrap the ends of the sheeting over the top of the stone or gravel.
  • The top of the trench can then covered with a layer of sand and topsoil.

Tools needed

  • String line
  • Spade
  • Shovel

Materials needed

  • Ground sheeting
  • Clean stone OR 20mm Gravel
  • Sand
  • Topsoil

How a French drain works video

Summary: DIY video showing you how a French Drain works.

A common mistake is to place the holes on a French drain at the highest point. The video will talk you through where to place the drainage holes within the pipe and why it is important to have the towards the bottom.

Author

The Editorial Team

The Editorial Team at lets-do-diy.com are a team of experts led by Mark Wilson. We have been creating DIY projects, articles, costs guides and product reviews since 2008. For more info see our about page.