Perforated pipe for French drain systems
Compare collection pipe with solid conveyance pipe and understand how route, filtration, outlets and maintenance affect a French drain.
Collection pipe and conveyance pipe have different jobs.
Perforated pipe admits water from the surrounding drainage zone. A solid pipe is used to carry collected water through a route where additional collection is not intended. Roof runoff and groundwater collection should be considered separately when planning connections.
The pipe is part of an assembly that may include drainage aggregate, filtration and access points. Choosing a diameter or material without understanding the water source and outlet does not establish a complete design.
Match the configuration to the design.
Rigid, flexible and manufactured drainage products can have different fittings, perforations and maintenance requirements. Ask which product is proposed and how it will be installed according to its current documentation.
Do not copy a hole-orientation, slope or burial-depth instruction from a different pipe product or foundation detail. DOE's footing-drain guidance applies to the foundation assembly it describes.
Plan the outlet and access.
- Where will the collection section end and the conveyance section begin?
- How will water reach a suitable discharge or collection point?
- What access remains for inspection or maintenance?
- Are pipe crossings, buried utilities or nearby structures part of the route?
- What landscaping or paving must be restored?
Repair an existing pipe with the whole system in view.
A damaged section may be repairable, but the underlying cause and receiving conditions still matter. Ask whether the assessment found blockage, deformation, a connection problem or a larger layout issue.
Keep product and route information with the installation records. A future inspection is easier when the pipe type and accessible connection points are known.
Simplified illustration. Depth, slope, materials and outlet design depend on site conditions.
Every part has a job.
The collection area, filter materials, pipe and outlet should work together with the layout of the site.
Explore related drainage services ↗Common drainage questions.
Should the whole route use perforated pipe?
Not automatically. Collection and conveyance sections have different purposes; the route and outlet determine the appropriate arrangement.
Which direction should the holes face?
Follow the current instructions for the actual pipe and assembly. A universal instruction can be wrong for another product.
Does a larger pipe always solve the problem?
No. Collection, grade, filtration and receiving capacity also affect performance.