Is Using PVC Or Corrugated Pipe Better For French Drains?
Homes can be negatively affected by water. Heavy rains and melting snow can cause significant water damage to the integrity of your home. Having your home built on an appropriate grade of land can help alleviate some of the issues with water drainage, However, even with good grading of the land, too much water may hinder the natural flow and ultimately lead to water damage. Many people opt to install a French drain when water drainage issues are a concern. They are a practical and successful means of preventing water from damaging the structure of your home.
Choosing the best pipes for your French drain is important. Two main types of pipes are used for residential homes and outdoor water issues – Corrugated pipes and PVC pipes. While both types have Pros and Cons, the best choice for a French drain is PVC piping. Here are the differences.
What is corrugated piping?
Corrugated pipes are black, lightweight, flexible, pipes, constructed with ridges that resemble that of, corrugated cardboard. Corrugated pipes are durable and are often used around homes for drainage. You’ll find them connected to downspouts or used on and under the ground as drainage systems.
What is PVC piping?
PVC pipes are strong, thick tubes of plastic made of polyvinyl chloride. They’re white or light-colored tubes that come in various diameter sizes, from .1 to .5 inches in diameter. They require connector pieces when stringing multiple tubes together to create a longer tube, such as a French drain.
Why Universal Home Improvement?
Flexibility: PVC or Corrugated Pipe
When it comes to flexibility, corrugated pipes are the better pipes. Corrugated pipes are thinner and much more pliable than PVC pipes. Corrugated pipes are easier to manipulate for yards with more twists and turns in the drainage route. PVC pipes are solid, rigid pipes with no flexibility to them. This makes PVC pipes more difficult to work with.
Durability
Both pipes are considered durable, however, when compared, PVC pipes are the thicker, stronger pipes. Due to the thickness, rigidity and durability of PVC piping, they are known to have a longer lifespan than corrugated pipes. While rocks, sticks, and other types of debris can tear and damage corrugated pipes, PVC pipes are notorious for withstanding harsh wear and tear.
Clogging
Water naturally flows more freely through the smooth, wide opening of a PVC pipe when compared to the ridged corrugated pipe. The ridges in corrugated pipes are more likely to collect and trap dirt and debris as it flows through. Trapped dirt and debris may narrow the passageway over time, creating a sluggish flow, or clogging the pipe, altogether. If clogs are a concern for you, then PVC pipes are the better choice when it comes to ensuring a free-flowing drainage system.
Installation
Because corrugated pipes have so much “give” to them, they’re easy to work with. Installation is typically easier with corrugated pipes when it comes to maneuvering them where you want, however, it’s important to make sure they are laying at a downward pitch to prevent water collecting at the low points of the pipe, while PVC pipes can be set flat in the trench without the worry of high or low points. Due to the smooth, open design of the PVC pipe, water will always flow through freely. Installing PVC pipes does require more effort when piecing the pipes together. You’ll need connectors and PVC glue to be sure the pipes are held together securely.
Cost
If cost is a concern when it comes to your French drain, corrugated pipes are the more budget-friendly pipes. Corrugated pipes are a more cost-friendly pipe and they come in rolls measured in different lengths of feet. Depending on the size of your project, you can choose the amount of piping you’ll need. PVC pipes are purchased in sections, or individual pieces of pipes. You can purchase longer pieces and shorter pieces, depending on your job size. You’ll also need connectors and PVC glue to hold the connectors securely in place. All of this can quickly add up.
Which is better for french drains?
If you’re still unsure about whether to utilize corrugated pipe or pvc for your French drains, let us clarify. PVC offers significant advantages for French drains. Why? Despite the lower cost and ease of installation with the corrugated pipes, PVC pipes are the better choice for a French drain. They may cost a bit more and require more effort to install when constructing your French drain. But in the long run, you’ll get a better, longer-lasting and more durable system that will require less maintenance, less repair, and less of a chance you’ll have to replace it down the road.
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