Mark S.

Does anyone know how long ago these types of pipes were used or what they were primarily used for? Some people have said that they were the original "French Drain" or call them drain tiles. But I am not totally convinced as they don't look like any pictures of old drain pipes that I have seen. The pipes I have are about 12.5 inches in length, 3.25 inches wide at the base and 3 inches high. They have an arched top and they are not mechanically joined to each other, they are just tightly butted up against each other. They look to be clay or terracotta. I have found them buried in my backyard at depths of between 2 - 3 feet deep. Right now I have found two sections of between 20 - 30 feet in total length both running from points in neighboring yards into a point in my yard. Unfortunately, their pitch is such that they bring large amounts of water into my yard after it rains. I have tried to seal the pipes at the edge of my property with hydraulic cement to stop the flow into my yard, but it hasn't had an impact. I assume that there may be more sections that I haven't yet found. Any other ideas on what I can do to stop the water draining into my yard? Do I have to dig up all the pipe?