How to clean out a French drain in Los Angeles?

Huzzah DIYers! This is where you can shine!

French drains are known to last for decades, but they do need annual maintenance, ideally before another atmospheric river hits LA.

Most annual maintenance is actually pretty simple.

1. Test the Drain: Start by flooding the pipe with water to find out if the pipe is clogged or not. You can do that by locating the ground-level access point for your French drain. There’s usually a grate or a pipe above ground level. Remove any cap that may be installed and stick a hose down the pipe. If the water flows through, you’re good. If the water backs up, it’s time to clean.

2. Pressure Hose: The first step to cleaning out your French drain is a simple pressure hose. Because French drains are underground, there can be a build up of soil and rocks down there. Simply run the power hose through the French drain until the water flows through. (Pro tip – you don’t want to face the French drain when you use the pressure hose. Debris has been known to fly back up. You don’t want that to smack you in the face).

3. Drain Snake: Got a stubborn clog? It’s time to get out the heavy-duty drain snake. These powerful tools can dig out even the most stubborn clog in your French drain. The key to using one of these machines is to go slow. They are extremely powerful machines with a claw at the end that will break up anything that gets in its way. 

Not the DIY type? That’s okay. Find a contractor who’s familiar with French drains. In fact, if you are thinking of using a heavy-duty drain snake, you may want to hire a contractor in the first place. Those heavy duty drain snakes are powerful tools that have been known to wrap around the hand of a user, causing injury. 

What causes blockage in French drains in Los Angeles?

Don’t ignore your French drain! While most French drains blend into your landscaping to the point of being almost invisible, they are incredibly important to the health of your foundation.

Your French drain collects water and moves it away from your foundation. Water can cause soil erosion, which can cause your home to “settle” and crack. Water can also cause cracks and shifting in your foundation. All of these problems are far far more expensive than just unclogging your French drain. 

French drains are ingenious. They are created by first digging a trench with a 1% incline. This means that the ground drops one inch every ten feet. Added to that trench are gravel, a perforated pipe and a permeable fabric.

How does this all work? Surface water finds its way through the soil and into the pipe. In addition, water that is saturating the soil also will seep into the pipe. Then, gravity does its job by redirecting the water to a gutter, a rain barrel or other pipe to take the water away. 

As sturdy and ingenious as French drains are, they are prone to clogs. Sediment and mud can find their way into the pipes. In addition, plants and tree roots love water. They can also work their way into the pipe. If you notice roots near your French drain system, you want to check your system for clogs. Roots can grow around the pipes and cause them to change their slope. Roots can also separate connections and cause other problems. 

You also want to check above your French drain for other potential problems. Pipes can be clogged by compacted soil or thick layers of sediment. 

Ready for your regular French drain maintenance? Give us a call. We have the knowledge and know-how to assess your drainage system for any potential problems. Not only that, but we can also trouble-shoot and repair any issues with your French drain. Remember – don’t ignore your French drain!