french drain pipe hole size

[beerbelly]

Hi
I am trying to put in my french drain around the basement this weekend. I have purchased sewer pipe instead of that crappy drain pipe they sell at HomeD. The pipe is called 3034 sewer pipe. I am using sewer pipe because it is 12 foot underground. I need to drill holes in this pipe so it will drain. Can anyone tell me the spacing on drain pipe? And hole size? I am using 3/4" drain rock so I am thinking 5/8" holes at 12" on center. What do you think?

I plan to place the pipe with the holes at 4 and 7 O'clock.

[montytx]

You have created a lot of work for yourself. What is wrong with the thinner drain pipes at home depot with holes? We use them all the time with no issues.

[beerbelly]

I am building my own house. HomeD sells pipe but I don't think it is the quality I desire to put in my home. I like to do my building the best that I can afford and maybe over build just a little. I want to know that my drains are good for 100 years+ and the pipe won't crush. Do you know the hole size?

[montytx]

I would guess about 1/2 an inch. THere is no chance of gettting 100 years out of any french drain solution. Eventually mother earth will fill the pipes with dirt and that will be the end of that. I would guess you would be lucky to get 20-30 years.

[beerbelly]

If done right, it should last as long as the PVC. Probably 500 years. Lay geo-matting material ( Marafi) with extra to fold over the top. Put in a little drain rock for bedding. Lay the pipe with a slight grade with the drain holes at 4 and 8 o'clock . Cut another piece of Marafi about a foot wide and lay over the pipe( this will keep rock, silt out of the pipe). Cover with drain rock. Add drain rock (10 to 12 inches) and fold the Marafi over the top of the drain rock. Then backfill. Backfilling with some drain rock added close to the foundation will help the water get to the pipe quickly.

[montytx]

THats a good idea with the mesh material. Hadnt thought of that before.Thanks!

[Sweep]

If the pipe is completely surrounded by crushed stone to distribute the load of the backfill, the pipe won't crush. Flexible pipe is far less liklely to crush. Flexible corrugated perforated polyethylene pipe rather than PVC is what is usually used for deep burial (20 ft.+) or buildings where the owner will keep the building for a long time (50 years+).

http://www.spipipe.com/foundationDrains.htm

[VALENT]

yeah, I agree with Sweep and Montytx on this one. But since you aren't likely to return what you have and get some perf-pipe, then do like you have planned. I do think that more small holes would be better than fewer large holes(at the expense of extra work). I think most of the drain pipe for french drains have the holes all the way around even though 4 and 8 oclock seems like it would work(except for the water at 5,6, and 7 oclock.

[Sweep]

Reinventing the wheel appears to be one of the great privileges of homeownership.

[VALENT]

Privileges? or Obligations?
Good one Sweep!!

[block]

Sounds like a good plan with the pipe and hole positions.
I did some Google searching but cant seem to find out about how long this geo-matting will last.
Good luck.