What kind of filter cloth for dry well?
Crackshot
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’m laying 6-inch depth of gravel on soil directly beneath a treated wood deck platform outside of an exit in a walkout basement. The purpose of this “dry well” or “french drain” is to allow for some water to collect if there’s a heavy rain, before it percolates down into the soil. To prevent dirt from filling the voids in the gravel, I need to place some sort of filter cloth (flat surface) over the top of the gravel. I have called a few local landscape dealers, and they’ve all said “just use weed barrier”.
What do you think? Is weed barrier appropriate for this purpose or do I need to search further for a specially designed filter cloth?
Thanks!
Replies
I've used weed barrier for this purpose.
Also have used a DuPont product called Typar ( I'm pretty sure that's the name ). Looks and feels the same as weed barrier, costs more.
Someone else will chime in I'm sure.
I get the impression you will be covering the material with dirt, having a little bit of a hard time visualizing the exact situation.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light,
Edited 6/17/2005 6:58 pm ET by JTC1
Jim -
Thanks for your reply. The design "stacks up" like this:
native soil, with 6 inches of gravel stacked on top of that , with the cloth laid over the top surface of the gravel, with treated 2x6 deck boards on top of the cloth. The 2x6 boards are also supported by lumber that consists of the 6x6 timbers making a "frame" and cross-members that are just like floor joists going perpendicular to the deck boards.
Any further comments on how well it worked (if you know) when you used the weed barrier, would be much appreciated. Thanks.
The difference is how long the fabric will last before breaking down. See if you can find GeoTech at a building supply store. I think DuPont makes it but I'm not positive.