Which Basement Drainage System is Best?

Most issues within the basement occur due to poor drainage. There are many factors that can contribute to puddling or standing water in the basement, such as gutter downspouts draining close to the foundation, negative grading outside the home, diverted water from a neighbor, or a high-water table.

Sump pumps are a great way to collect the extra water inside of your home and divert it away from the foundation. This process not only protects your basement and the contents in it, but it will help to protect the integrity of your home’s wood structure and the foundation. Overall, sump pumps are a great way to protect your home’s value, the investment that you’ve made into your home, and can help you if you ever decide to sell your house.

The purpose of a French drain is to collect water rising from the ground. The French drain’s channel collects water from the hollow cinder blocks that comprise your foundation, along with water rising from the ground. We accomplish this by first trenching around the perimeter of your basement and installing our Fast track drainage system within the trench to collect the water. Then, the water routes to a sump pump, which diverts water outside of the basement.

Following this, our technicians drill “weep holes” in the foundation. This directs water collected in the foundation wall into the French drain. Lastly, we install skirting on top of the fast track drainage system to cover the drilled “weep holes” and divert water into the trench for the sump pump to pump the water out of the basement environment.

Exterior French drains are a great option for those that would rather have the drainage system outside of their home.

Exterior French drains are built along the foundation’s perimeter. The drain consists of a flexible perforated drain pipe buried in a trench at the bottom of the foundation footing. To filter out dirt and particles, landscape fiber and gravel are placed around the pipe. When water pools around the foundation walls, it enters the pipe and drains to a sump pump inside the house—or gravity, but your yard must have a steep inclination for the system to drain water efficiently.

Exterior drains are more difficult to install since they may require removing and replacing any landscaping, driveways, walkways, porches, decks, and other structures.

Another disadvantage is the difficulty of upkeep, which could necessitate costly outside excavation. Because the pipe is buried beneath several feet of dirt, it is prone to clogging over time.