How do I Build a French Drain in Denver, Colorado?

French drain piping is usually made of coiled PVC.

French-drain systems are used to move water from one point to another. They are most common for keeping basements and foundations from collecting standing water, which is useful if you live in Denver, Colorado. The French-drain pipe has perforated holes along the top so water can seep down into the pipe through the soil and be ushered into the drain field, going out to the end of the drain through an underground pipe. Perforated French-drain pipes can be found at hardware-supply stores throughout Colorado.

Things You'll Need

• Perforated drain pipe
• Shovel
• Gravel, sized 1 to 1 1/2 inches
• Weed-control cloth

Instructions

1. 

   French drain pipes emerge in the drain field to allow water to flow away from your house.

   Dig a drain trench in the area where the water will be starting or flowing from, such as outside a basement wall.

   Dig down as deep and wide as the pipe for your project requires. Use larger pipes where needed for bigger amounts of water flow. Position the trench so water runs downhill to the drain field.

2. Fill your drain trench with about an inch of gravel in the bottom. Lay the French-drain pipe into the trench on top of the gravel bed, with the perforated side facing up. Cover your pipe with the weed-control cloth before adding another inch of gravel on top of the pipe.

3. Fill the trench with dirt and pack it firmly when finished.

4. 

   French drains are coiled plastic pipes with holes on the top for water to seep down and into.

Tips & Warnings

• Skipping the weed-control cloth can lead to clogged or blocked pipes.

• Forgetting to determine the gravity flow for your trench can make your drain ineffective.

References

• Ask The Builder: Linear French Drain Systems
• Basement Systems Colorado: French Drain