How Much Gravel for a 200 Foot French Drain?
How much gravel for a 200 foot French drain: about 10.46 cubic yards, or roughly 14.7 tons, for a trench 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep with a 4-inch perforated pipe.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Gravel by trench size over 200 feet
| Trench (W × D) | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 6 × 12 in | 3.06 | 4.3 |
| 12 × 18 in | 10.46 | 14.7 |
| 12 × 24 in | 14.17 | 19.8 |
| 18 × 24 in | 21.58 | 30.2 |
Figures subtract a 4-inch pipe and assume about 1.4 tons per yard of washed stone.
Related: How Much Gravel for a 10 Foot French Drain?
Best stone for the drain
Washed angular stone around 3/4 inch is the usual pick. Avoid crusher run or anything with dust; the point is open space for water to move. See the best gravel for a French drain.
Building it right
Give the drain a steady fall of about 1 inch per 8 to 10 feet, around 22.2 inches over 200 feet, and make sure it outlets somewhere the water can go. Wrap the stone in filter fabric so soil does not migrate in. Call 811 before digging.
Related: How Much Gravel for a 20 Foot French Drain?
Cost and tools
Plan on stone, perforated pipe, non-woven fabric and fittings. For long runs, a rented trencher pays for itself in hours saved. Buying stone by the ton in bulk is far cheaper than bags.
Common mistakes
Using gravel with fines, skipping the fabric and laying the pipe with no consistent slope are the usual causes of failure. A drain with no proper outlet simply fills and holds water. Another mistake is digging without calling 811 to locate buried lines.
Measuring the run
Lay out the route with paint, measure its length and note the start and end elevations. A line level or a laser level confirms you have enough fall. Plan the trench width around your shovel or trencher size.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel for a 200 ft French drain?
About 14.7 tons for a 12x18 inch trench.
How many yards of gravel for a 200 ft French drain?
About 10.46 cubic yards.
What size gravel for a French drain?
Clean washed stone around 3/4 inch, such as #57.
How much slope does a French drain need?
About 1 inch of fall per 8 to 10 feet.
Do I need fabric for a French drain?
Yes, non-woven filter fabric keeps soil out of the stone.
Related guides
- Best Gravel for a French Drain: Size and Type
- French Drain Along an Asphalt Driveway
- How Much Gravel for a 100 Foot French Drain?
- How Much Gravel for a 150 Foot French Drain?
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