What drain system do I need: Trench or French drain?

[KeithNeely]

Hello,

After replacing barge boards at the base of my house as they were rotten through water damage, mainly from the rain, I want to install a drainage system to help flow water away from the boards. I have a nice slope to work with but just wondering should I use a French drain (dug below the surface) or a surface drain system like a channel drain or trench drain. I intend to have gravel going up to the barge boards, not a garden bed as previous as I think this contributed to the water damage. There is a large bush at the end of the house that concerns me with its roots potentially finding its way into a French drain system, so was thinking a surface drain system would be better? What are your thoughts? I will enclose pics.

[KeithNeely]

The water I get is never a torrent as the bed is partially covered by the eves. The natural slope of the garden directs most of it, but historically it has found its way to the stumps and barge boards so the main aim is to direct the water away and into a channel or drain as there never was one originally.  I like both options and happy to do either, just wondering which is the more effective? I’m thinking the French drain may be more work in the digging? Not sure if to go 100mm or 65mm pipe? Cheers N

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @KeithNeely 

100mm pipe for sure, the extra volume in area makes me sleep better at night... lol Love stormwater but hate the issues it causes. Either way will require digging to some degree. Since you are the one who gets to dig It probarly will come down on how much effort and dollars you want to spend. 

Here is the project where I used the ag pipe with sleeve and also a grill to capture the extra runoff if there was an extreme storm inundation .

Fixing water ingress issues in garage 

Would like to see the project and hear how it helps when you do it

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @KeithNeely 

I totally understand your worry on the flow of water. I've re-drawn the channel drain so that you'll have a better idea of how it works. Should your lawn area get fully soaked, any excess water will begin to overflow towards the channel. You'll see that the concrete has a little kickstand at the end to protect your barge boards.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[KeithNeely]

Thanks Eric, your drawing has made it very clear now, cheers Neil

[KeithNeely]

Great work and nicely documented. Lucky you didn’t have to contend with large tree roots as well! 

Neil

[Dave-1]

@KeithNeely 

hahahahah and some more insane laughter I hit a bunch of gum tree roots up the side of the house on stage 1 of stormwater rectification And yes they were seeking out the old crappy fractured stormwater pipes. (And so many stones! I felt like a quarry!)

Dave