What is the purpose of the sock on drain tile?

Category: home and garden home appliances
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Sock drains improve and maintain water flow by preventing accumulations of sediment in the perforated pipe, allowing for proper drainage and “drying out” of project-critical areas, such as borrow pits and stormwater management ponds.



Correspondingly, why are drain pipes perforated?

Here, the perforated pipe has two functions: collection and conveyance, with the latter being the primary function. I place the pipe with the perforations facing up and count on the streaming water from the downspouts to help keep silt and debris from accumulating in the pipe.

Similarly, should I use landscape fabric in French drain? It is also best if the French drain trench is wrapped in permeable landscape cloth (the type water flows through) and the pipes are covered in drain sleeve fabric to further slow down any clogging by roots or soil particles.

Similarly, it is asked, does bend a drain with sock need Stones?

Yes and no. Your French drain works by doing two things: filtration and drainage. The sock around the pipe acts as a filter to keep fines (silt and clay) from clogging the pipe perforations and the pipe itself. So if you have a sock pipe you can use pea gravel or 78M stone.

Where does drain tile go?

Drain tile is a perforated pipe that allows water to enter into the pipe. It's installed at the base of a foundation. Water in the soil flows through washed gravel on top of the pipe and is carried away from the foundation where the pipe exits the ground.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What is a sock drain?

Pipe drain sleeves, also known as sock drains, have been used in the construction industry for many years. They are made up of a synthetic fiber and are slipped onto the exterior of a perforated pipe to perform one critical function: filter water being drained into the perforated pipe from surrounding soils.

How do I drain standing water from my yard?

What Is a French Drain and How Does It Work?
  1. Identify where you have standing water in your yard.
  2. Use a shovel to dig a trench in that area that leads to a place where the water can more easily drain.
  3. Line the trench with pea gravel.
  4. Purchase a French drain pipe or simply get a plastic, flexible landscape pipe.

What is the best fabric to use for a French drain?

For longevity and performance, always use perforated four inch PVC pipe and geotextile fabric around a gravel layer. Best to use SDR35 (ASTM 3034) or thin wall 2729 perforated 4 inch PVC sewer drain pipe with two rows of 1/2 inch diameter holes facing downwards.

How do I drain water from my backyard?

Build a creek bed to direct water away from a low spot in your yard. Or if the slope of the ground permits it, use a creek bed to drain a low spot. Start by making a swale-essentially a gentle, shallow drainage ditch. Then line it with gravel or stones and add interest with boulders, a bridge or plantings.

How can I dry my wet yard fast?


Cover the soil with another layer of litter once the majority of the mud has been removed. Leave this layer in place overnight, allowing it to draw additional moisture from the top layer of the soil. If the litter becomes damp too quickly, remove it and add more.

How does drain tile work?

Drain Tile is perforated (has holes) to allow water a point of entry. Immersed in a bed of stone, which facilitates drainage to the piping. Stone type varies, but 3/4” washed (clean) gravel promotes the best water flow. Pea gravel or compacted stone impedes drainage due to lack of space between the stones.

Should you use perforated drain pipe?

In general terms, whether using corrugated or sewer and drain pipe, perforated pipe is used for subsurface drainage and solid pipe is used to convey water from surface and/or subsurface drainage systems.

When should you use a perforated drain pipe?

If you are creating a new garden landscape, make sure that you install a good drainage system. Hence, use perforated pipes to absorb all the excessive water and drain it out of the way. By installing the pipelines in the ground, you can also collect the rain water into a reservoir and then use it for irrigation.

What is the best pipe for drainage?

Solid white PVC pipe is a very common type of pipe that is most often used for sewer and plumbing needs. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, pipe is a more cost-effective type of pipe than some others like metal or terra cotta. It's used for a variety of purposes including yard drainage projects and many DIY craft projects.

Do drain pipe holes go up or down?


When you lay your PVC pipe, the rows of holes should always be facing the downward position. You want to keep the water level in your French drain as low as possible at all times, and you can't achieve this if the holes are facing upwards or sideways.

Do I need gravel for solid drain pipe?

1 Answer. What does the gravel provide: The gravel helps allow you to build the drainage slope for the pipe and provides a back-up drainage medium for leakage. The gravel will allow the water to drain away from the pipe and down the path of least resistance in the direction of the pipe to the outfall.

How does a perforated drain pipe work?

The perforations consist of thousands of tiny holes or slits that allow water to enter the pipe, and be drained away from the foundation of the home. The pipe is normally covered by a mesh permeable “sock” which helps to prevent soil from getting into the pipe.

What type of pipe is used for downspout drainage?

The drainage pipe used for extending downspouts is nonperforated Schedule 40 PVC pipe with 4-inches-diameter. Some jobs will also require flexible drainpipe, which is invaluable for getting around obstacles or following uneven terrain.

How many types of pipes are there?

Pipes come in several types and sizes. They can be divided into three main categories: metallic pipes, cement pipes and plastic pipes. Metallic pipes include steel pipes, galvanised iron pipes and cast iron pipes.

Can you do a French drain without gravel?


The old way of installing French drains is to do it without the gravel and the fabric. Without the gravel and the fabric, however, the drain can clog up with sand and soil over time.

Does a French drain need Gravel?

French Drain Recommendations
As a good practice, you can also have at least 2” of gravel around the pipe and the geotextile fabric used must be installed so the pipe is completely covered with it. The recommended slope of the perforated pipe for a french drain system is a one-inch drop per ten feet horizontal run.

What kind of pipe should I use for a French drain?

Piping used for French drains should be perforated to allow for unimpeded water flow. Perforated PVC, polyvinyl chloride, is a widely available and relatively inexpensive option, but there are alternative types that can be utilized.