I recently tore out an old French drain system in my yard and cleaned up the original components. After replacing the corrugated pipe and filling the trench with clean gravel, I realized the trench is too wide for the landscape fabric to properly overlap. I'm looking for a quick fix that would allow me to narrow the trench temporarily—like using 2x4s to create a barrier—which I could remove later after wrapping the fabric. Is there a better solution, or am I stuck buying new fabric and starting the whole process again? I've planned to just throw some more gravel on top to finish it off since grass doesn't really grow there anyway.
1 Answer
It sounds like you're in a bit of a pickle! Reusing the corrugated pipe was a smart move, so props for that. I think your idea of using some plywood and securing it with 2x2s is a solid workaround, sort of like a makeshift caisson. It'll help shape the trench without too much hassle. But honestly, if you can swing it, picking up some extra landscape fabric might just save you time and effort in the long run.
I get why you'd want to go the caisson route! It could definitely give you a cleaner look to the trench. Plus, if the fabric isn't overlapping properly, it's worth considering getting the right size. You want to make sure it does its job without any leaks!