How to install a french drain

Recorded on August 26, 2011 using a Flip Video camera.

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[Eman5697]

3 zollers!?!?!? jesus!! those are like $200 pumps! but they are really great, i will never buy a different brand

[slukster1]

What has Irene taught me"

1. The battery back-up pump, which allowed me to sleep at night, can not handle a major water condition. I bought a generator for the next power outage.

2. I should have had them install a deeper sump pit. Even if the pumps keep up, since my pit is only about 2 feet deep and 18" diameter (I forget exactly how deep/ wide it is. I am not at home to check), the pump short cycles during heavy rain. A deeper, wider sump would allow longer intervals between cycles.

[slukster1]

I now have installed a second 1 1/2" pipe running off of a 1/2 hp Zoeller N98. I still have the original setup with the other two pumps and they are set up to handle the day to day water (high water table in my area. Even modest raining for a couple of days gets the pumps going). If another Irene comes around (or the main Zoeller dies. I have had it for 7 years now) then the N98 will kick in and keep me nice and dry.

[slukster1]

I have a Watchdog battery backup pump and hurricane Irene made me realize that if I had lost power, the backup pump would have been insufficient to handle the volume of water I had. I had my main pump (same zoeller you have) sharing a 1 1/2" pipe with the Watchdog which reduced the capacity that could be pumped out. I ended up having to put a utility pump (hose out the windoww) in the pit in order to keep up with the volume. So three pumps going barely kept up.

[slukster1]

"Hurricane Irene is coming tomorrow". Wow, talk about last minute install of the french drain. :-) I am in Northern NJ and my whole block got flooded (we are across the street from a park with a river running through it). Every basement had water/ sewage in it except for mine because I had installed a french drain many years before (after having just moved into the house and having water in my basement after the first heavy rain). Works like a charm.

[VasilyKiryanov]

Pipes is all very good, but isn't wide eaves, some surface waterproof around the basement and gravel drain-ditch all around the house more cost-effective?

[drsmith33]

@46haloguy Holes should always face down to drain off faster. If they face up, the hole has to fill up 3 to 4 more inches to start draining. Always use a sock on the pipe or textile drainage fabric to keep the dirt out of the drain. Drain will clog in 5 years to 10 years.

[46haloguy]

its draining from the surface it goes into the holes. not out. a hurrican hit so the needed a super drain to keep from flooding. you bad job. he good job

[drsmith33]

Holes should be faced downward and pipe should at minimum be socked off. Bad work! Will clog and not work as good as it should.

[chickenboy796]

Your french drain holes are pointing-up?