I started digging a French drain but got talked into DIY after asking tons of questions. I ended up with sock pipe and rocks, and my boyfriend filled half the trench with rocks while I was making dinner. Unfortunately, we skipped a crucial step of wrapping the pipe in fabric, so now it looks a mess and will likely clog when I cover it with topsoil and grass. Since this drain is right next to my house, I'm worried about my dogs getting into it and kicking rocks around. I'm at a crossroads: should I just deal with it or dig out the rocks to fix it?
2 Answers
Honestly, it sounds like you have a tough spot. It really is important to have that fabric under the rocks to avoid clogging. If you want a drain that works, you might need to dig out the rocks and get that fabric in there. It's annoying, but it'll save you headaches in the long run!
I get where you're coming from. Sometimes, the issues that we think need a French drain can be fixed with a simple surface drain. If you have clay soil, it might not even be the best option. You should consider if a trench alone could work better for your situation.
I honestly didn't know about surface drains before this. Since the pooling is at the back steps and there's water in the basement, I really wanted to address that. Thanks for the suggestion!
Yeah, it sucks putting in work and then finding out it wasn't done right. I've been there before, and it's always worth taking the time to do it the right way.