Corrugated pipe’s definitely pulled its weight for me, especially with that stubborn clay. I’ve seen folks try to rely on just gravel, but in my experience, it only goes so far—clay just doesn’t let water through fast enough. Here’s what’s worked for me: I dig a trench about 8-12 inches deep (sometimes more if the yard’s really soggy), lay down landscape fabric, then a bed of gravel, then the perforated corrugated pipe. After that, I backfill with more gravel and wrap the fabric over the top before covering with soil. That combo seems to keep things flowing and helps avoid clogs.
One thing I’d add—don’t skimp on the slope. Even a slight drop (an inch or two every 10 feet) makes a big difference in how well the water moves out. And yeah, those sharp edges on the pipe can be brutal... I’ve lost a few gloves to them over the years.
If you’re dealing with tree roots nearby, maybe consider a solid pipe section for those spots. Roots seem to love invading the perforations otherwise. Just my two cents after wrestling with this stuff for a while.
One thing I’d add—don’t skimp on the slope. Even a slight drop (an inch or two every 10 feet) makes a big difference in how well the water moves out.
Couldn’t agree more about the slope—seen too many jobs where folks skip that and end up with standing water anyway. Curious, have you ever run into issues with the landscape fabric clogging over time? I’ve seen it happen in heavy clay, especially if the fabric isn’t rated for drainage. Your point about roots is spot on too... those things find any way in if you let them. Always makes me wonder if it’s worth using root barrier in really bad spots.
