French drains can also help divert water when you re building a retaining wall on a steep slope.
French drain along retaining wall.
A locking flange along.
Otherwise water moving down the hill will build up behind the wall and undermine it.
Some of these drains are vented through the front of the retaining wall while others may run the length of the wall and drain out to the sides.
It can help if the natural slope of your property directs water right toward a patio or other outdoor structure.
It should be located on the uphill side of the wall so it can catch water running down the hill and prevent it from undermining the wall.
If aggregate of different sizes is used smaller pieces usually go closer to the pipe while larger pieces sit closer to and on the.
You can also use a french drain to keep water from pooling in low areas of your yard.
A properly designed french drain reduces the pressure exerted upon retaining walls and subgrade walls that with time can induce moisture inside basements and crawl spaces.
The size of the gravel used can vary from pea gravel to larger pieces of river rock.
Where to install a french drain.
A french drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard.
You may have to submit plans for your wall and schedule a property inspection to ensure that building a retaining wall won t create drainage problems.
Pipe drains also known as toe drains are perforated pipes that collect water along the length of the wall and drain it to the outside.
About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water diverting projects though related systems such as those built around foundations and sub ground living spaces as well as the bases of retaining walls may be deeper.
A french drain is a virtual necessity when building a retaining wall on a hill.
Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a french drain yourself.