French drain installation Los Gatos

The next step in installing a French drain in your yard is to dig the trench. Depending on the size of the area you are draining and how deep you need it, this could take some time. Be sure to measure out at least 18 inches of depth and 12 inches of width before digging. You should also ensure that the bottom of the trench is level and sloped so standing water can easily flow through it.

Once your trench is dug, you will lay down a layer of crushed stone or gravel at the base of the ditch. This is a foundation for your drainage system and will help improve drainage efficiency by allowing water to pass through easily instead of building up behind your pipe.

Next, unroll your perforated pipe and lay it into the trench. Make sure that the perforations are facing downward towards the gravel layer. If you use more than one piece of the drain pipe, ensure they overlap by about two feet, so water can flow through them easily.

Finally, cover your drainage system with gravel or crushed stone to keep dirt and other debris from clogging up your pipes. You may also want to use a geotextile fabric wrap over the top of everything to protect your system from further erosion. Once completed, you should have a fully functioning French drain system in your yard!