FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

French Drain

Toolfool | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 29, 2004 05:06am

What should I use in my french drain… sand, gravel, 57 stone, crush n run, plastic corrugated pipe, pvc with grooves cut… it would be on the inside of my crawlspace

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    hammer1 | Oct 29, 2004 05:23am | #1

    In my area we use 3/4" crushed stone as a bed and back fill. Flexible, black, perforated 4" pipe with silt cover. It comes in big rolls. If additional gravel fill is used on top of the stone, we use a geo-textile to help keep materials separate.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

    1. Toolfool | Oct 29, 2004 03:37pm | #3

      Thanks for the response... help a simple man know what a geo textile is?  I was going to have a slight bed of stone the pipe and cover with the same stone, like a burito.... all in a ditch about 1 foot wide just inside the foundation wall.  Do I need to be real accurate on my pitch to sump

      1. User avater
        hammer1 | Oct 29, 2004 06:44pm | #4

        Geo-textiles are fabrics that are made for various landscaping and construction jobs. There are a wide variety from the black fabric fences you commonly see surrounding the edge of construction sites to weed blockers for the garden.

        French drains don't need a whole lot of pitch. Generally we start at the far end from the collection box. The depth of the box or the connection to the positive drain is the low point. If I can get an inch of pitch in 40 feet that's fine. Just make sure there are no sags or low spots in the pipe. It should be straight.

        Over time, fine particles wash down and can accumulate in the drains and block them. That is why we use a silt cover on the pipe. The same thing happens to the crushed rock. The fabrics can be expensive so I'll use what ever I have on hand. Used silt fence, if in good shape, will work fine. You may be able to get it for free if you pick it up for the contractor after a job. Not everyone uses a fabric over the stone. It would take many years for this to become a problem, if ever, but that also depends on the soil.

        Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

        1. Toolfool | Oct 29, 2004 08:50pm | #5

          Thanks so much for all your advise.  Any specifics on the catch basin where the sump pump goes.  There happened to be something that looks like a bottomless bucket with a bunch of holes in it.... it was just sitting down in my crawl space.  I figured just surrond that with gravel and exit the corrugated pipe into it.  ANy advise there or better strategy

          1. gdavis62 | Oct 29, 2004 10:57pm | #6

            The places that sell drainage tile usually can offer it socked with the filter fabric.  That gives you a total wrap.

          2. User avater
            hammer1 | Oct 30, 2004 01:21am | #7

            Over time french drains can get a little stinky. Most pipe supply houses sell specially made plastic basins with covers. They have holes for a sump pump. I like to keep the pumps off the bottom a little so they don't suck any sand. Makes for a neat job. The bucket is placed to come flush with the slab. Some have holes for your drain pipe, some you have to cut. You can position to suit site conditions. It's hard to collect unwanted water if the bucket has no bottom. In some critical situations we use a battery back up sump pump. There can be some sites that always have water running and a power failure would mean flooding. I guess you must have some water problems or you wouldn't be putting in drains.

            A positive drain, one that can deposit collected water to a lower part of the property by gravity, is usually a better choice than a pump. If you have a place that is lower than the french drains nearby you can pipe there. In this case we run solid pipe from the collection box to the location. No need for rock or silt covers on the solid pipe. Some zoning laws are strict about where water can be pumped or drained.

            The fabric I mentioned before, over the crushed stone, is for exterior french drains. You won't have soil washing down through the backfill on interior drains. I would still use the pipe with the silt cover.

            Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

          3. Toolfool | Nov 01, 2004 03:41pm | #8

            Thanks again for all your help.  I knocked the job out this weekend.  Took me all day saturday and half sunday.  Plenty sore back muscles and bruised knees. Still have to hook up the sump pump and put back down the vapor barrier.  Any other advise to getting the moldly smell out?  I've heard bad things about sreading lime.  I'm hoping vapor barrier will help as well as dryer overall crawl space.   I have noticed small amounts of mold growing in various places on the floor joists, any pointers there?  Truly grateful!

          4. User avater
            hammer1 | Nov 03, 2004 04:38pm | #9

            Nothing like a weekend on the business end of a shovel. There have been a few posts concerning french drains lately and I forget your specific circumstances. There are several factors to look at when abating moisture. In my area we build on full foundations with concrete basement floors. French drains are placed around the perimeter of the building both inside and out. We slope the landscape to drain away from the house and gutters with downspouts direct collected water away. With gutters you also need to have good insulation and ventilation in the attic to prevent ice dams and damage to the gutters.

            You should try to kill existing mold. Wear full protective gear, goggles, gloves, disposable clothing. Fill a garden sprayer with 1 cup of chlorox, 2 gal water. Spray everything down as needed and carefully rinse with clear water. You have to be easy on the water if treating wood. Get the air circulating with fans. You can also pour some chlorox in the drain but it is very corrosive so make you don't get it on or in the pump. There are all kinds of desiccants that can be placed to absorb odor. Kitty litter, baking soda, coffee grounds as well as open pans of vinegar are some home remedies. Boat supply houses sell absorbers and there are many different types and brands.

            In dirt floor craw spaces, heavy plastic is often used to seal moisture from permeating up through and making it's way to your floor. The site below has some good info and some links that are advertising but also have good info.

            http://nyny.essortment.com/odorcontrol_rdjx.htm

            Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

  2. User avater
    JeffBuck | Oct 29, 2004 05:31am | #2

    btw ... those holes in the pipe ...

    they go down ...

    not up.

    Jeff

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction

The crew talks about work start times, fire-resistant construction, fixer-uppers, building Larsen trusses, and AI for construction.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data