A French Drain in fact did not originate in France but rather the United States in 1859 by Judge and Farmer Henry French. At that time it was only a trench filled with rock. Now, our French drains have a minimum width of 12" and depth of 12" plus. In the trench is a 4" - 6" perforated corrugated pipe with geo-textile fabric filter sock and encased in 1" clean limestone gravel. A decorative rock can be placed on top or more often we install a filter fabric and soil or sod.

Downspouts should never be connected to the French drain as the perforations will let the water out and flood the trench and very ground area that you are trying to dry-up. Downspouts can be connected to PVC sewer and drain pipe and laid in the same trench but not connected to the same pipe. Roof debris can clog a French drain pipe.

A French drain's purpose is to collect water by percolation and cap illation from low, soggy areas or springs.