Right fabric for a French drain?

[Wallman]

I've never put in a French drain and have an opportunity for a good job here.
I'm talking about 400' of drain in three sections to handle runoff on a seriously sloped property.
My job is to eliminate spring mud in a backyard.

I've done internet research and still have two questions.

What is the best type of landscape fabric to wrap my pipe?

How do I start my run to achieve maximum water capture?

Thanks for any help.

[dapiccolawn]

Home depot sells the "drain sock" to pull over the pipe. Looks like a big white sock! Usually comes in 100ft lengths. As for getting water into the pipes, Drain basins work wonderful. Put a swale at the end of the hill to catch the water to get it to the drains.
-Dave


I've never put in a French drain and have an opportunity for a good job here.
I'm talking about 400' of drain in three sections to handle runoff on a seriously sloped property.
My job is to eliminate spring mud in a backyard.

I've done internet research and still have two questions.

What is the best type of landscape fabric to wrap my pipe?

How do I start my run to achieve maximum water capture?

Thanks for any help.

[Wallman]

Thanks for the advice. The " sock" sounds easier than the roll stuff, I had not heard of it.

[White Gardens]

Some supply stores sell the drain tile with the sock already on the pipe, and it cost just about the same.

The last french drain I did, I started using the silt fabric they sell in the same area as the drain pipe, but I didn't like it. It's too thin and tears easily.

I ended up using a light-weight landscape fabric that had good to excellent permeability, and didn't have any water in the clients basement after it was installed.

[loyd meeks]

We used the sock on some 4" and it worked well. Next one was a 6 and Betty wrapped in medium weight fabric and secured with long wire ties. Both are still working well

[Wallman]

Thanks again.

I won't be starting for another month as there is still to much mud to work.

I talked to the customer yesterday and he told me both his neighbors, all new homes with the same hill behind them, are interested if his does what it's supposed to do. Wish me luck.

[JNyz]

The name of the paper to use is typar. Drainage work is great to get. Remember to charge by the foot so you don't get screwed. If you are using stone and pipe the rate is $17.00 per foot, no stone $11.00. Good Luck