Often when installing new drainage sy.
French drain depth uk.
That should be more than enough to ensure the drain can handle any moderate amount of rainfall.
However most standard french drains are approximately 6 wide and 18 to 24 deep.
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.
Usually 1 8 per foot is plenty for drainage this is the same as the commonly recommended 1 slope.
A french drain pipe can help divert water away from your home s foundation patio or low lying areas to help prevent damage or pooling water.
However some situations may require trenches several feet deep and several feet wide.
Note that i said the drain pipe must be sloped rather than the french drain.
When installing a french drain next to a structure the trench must go no lower than the lowest foundations.
The depth of the french drain depends on the purpose for using it and the location.
When it comes to working out the best size for your french drain there is usually no need to make it larger than around two feet deep and one and a half feet across.
This low level distribution pipe will have no outfall.
Recommended depths can range from about 18 inches to 6 feet.
Trenching tools will cut wider trenches which is ideal for more severe drainage issues and will cut the digging time in half.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding the depth of a french drain.
Further information and standard details of french drains with high level overflow pipes can be found in our french drain detail post.
The width and depth of the drain you dig will depend on the severity of the drainage problem and the digging tool you re using.
All of your drain pipe with one exception must slope slightly downhill.