Here in Pensacola we have very few hills(therefore, no underground moisture problems) but I’m going to set my garage area in my new house into one of the few. When it’s done the back right corner will have earth about 5 feet high tapering to 0 at the front and left back side. So, I’ll need a frech drain at the base to keep the garage nice and dry. Is the PVC drain from the big boxes OK to use or is their a better product which will last longer?
And what is the best material to cover the pebbles with? I want this to last a really long long time!
I bought Delta-FL geotech fabric to run along the covered part of the wall.
Thanks for any help.
Rusti
Replies
The dimple fabric works great; be sure to caulk any overlap.
The PVC drain pipe works fine, but see if you can't find the corrugated black stuff that comes in a roll, perforated. It's easier to transport and will bend around the corner without fittings - it was also cheaper when i purchased mine for a similar use.
I simply 'socked' mine in black landscape fabric to keep the 'fines' out of the pipe. In truth, it's never run any water since i already have very sandy soil, but it's cheap insurance against a [very] rainy day.
Put the drainline at the bottom of the footing and run the dimple fabric down to it for a fool-proof installation. Bury it with the holes down, not up, even though at first that seems counter-intuitive.
thanks splinter - I wouldn't have thought to put it "upside down".Tig
And what is the best material to cover the pebbles with?
You will find a product called soil separator near the drain tile at the big box stores. Make Taco fold with the rock being the meat in the middle, and the tile next to the footing. Be careful backfill over the cloth. It tares easily.
You can also use the more expensive landscape cloth, but the tighter and stronger fiber it is made from is slower passing water through. It does come in 6' wide rolls, so you can make a really big taco if you need too.
I buy the corner fittings, tees and wyes for the coil perforated pipe. Cost a few cents more, but makes the install faster and keeps the pipe right next to the footing (where it belongs) instead of bowing out on the corners. I also buy caps for the end the run to daylight. Drill a bunch of 3/8 or 1/2" holes in them so the water can exit, but the field mice, chipmunks, etc can't get in to build a condo and plug it up.
Dave