How do I make a French drain to eliminate water running into a carport?

Question

The rain water runs off the edge of the carport & then downhill into the carport, making it extremely muddy. There are shrubs and flowers planted approx. 2 1/2 feet from the side of the carport.

The rain water runs off the edge of the carport & then downhill into the carport, making it extremely muddy. There are shrubs and flowers planted approx. 2 1/2 feet from the side of the carport. I would appreciate advice, please.

Answer 1

Here is one way:

Dig a 6 inch wide trench up to 24 inches deep along the entire length of the problem area (slope to a low point where excess water can flow out above the ground). Install 4 inches of washed 1 inch gravel in the bottom of the trench. Then install a 4 inch perforated drain pipe in the trench. Add another 4 inch layer of 1 inch washed gravel on top.

On top of this layer of gravel you can add a 4 inch layer of straw to protect the lower gravel and the drain pipe from being choked with silt or sediment from fill dirt that you might place on top of the gravel.

You can fill the trench to within 1 inch of the top with washed gravel. Soil can be added to top it off.

Answer 2

The object is to get the water somewhere else as fast as possible. Step number one is to figure out a downhill spot where you want that water to go. It won't flow uphill.

Dig a trench about a foot deep from the problem area to the place you want the water to go. It has to be downhill the whole way.

Place a 4" drain pipe in the hole. This is a flexible pipe with slots in it. Cover it with gravel. Cover the gravel with 3-4" of dirt.

If the water doesn't have a place to escape, it will fill your gravel ditch and then you are right back where you started. The only difference is digging the new ditch will be harder the second time.

Answer 3

Dig a shallow ditch parallel with the carport and fill it with gravel so it will soak up the water coming in.