If you have an excess of water in your basement, you may want to consider both a sump pump and French drain to waterproof your home. The French drain channels the water to the sump pump pit, which pumps the water out of the home much quicker that a pipe alone would do.
How to compare a French drain to a pipe drain?
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Should I put in a French drain?
- Flooding in your backyard. If heavy rains have left your yard with an unwanted water feature or the spring thaw has saturated your yard, a French drain can help. ...
- Damage to your outdoor patio. ...
- Damage to the foundation and low-level areas like your basement. ...
Who can put in a French drain?
The French Drain Man is an expert in drainage issues teaching homeowners in water management. He has worked thousands of projects successfully removing water from properties. Over the years these clients have benefited and saved money in the preservation of home and property. An error occurred while retrieving sharing information.
What is the purpose of a French drain?
- A drainage trench at least 9 inches wide and 18 inches deep, slanting downhill at a slope of at least 1 inch every 10 feet.
- The bottom of the drainage trench is filled with a 3-inch deep layer of gravel.
- A perforated pipe is laid in the trench, with the holes angled downward.
Is a sump pump better than a French drain?
Sump pumps offer a few key advantages over french drains. The biggest and most obvious advantage is the amount of water they can pump and drain. Pumps like the Zoeller M53 Mighty Mate can drain up to 43 gallons of water per hour at a 5′ head height – something that french drains can't compete with!
Is a French drain necessary?
An especially deep French drain will be necessary if water has moved into the basement. Also referred to as a footing drain, this drain extends along the home's perimeter to gather water before it moves into the basement.
Do I need a French drain in my basement?
If you are having water problems in your basement, you may need a French drain. What is this? It is a trench that has a perforated pipe that takes the groundwater and surface water and diverts them away from the home. It lies in the interior of the perimeter of the basement and is below ground level.
Is there an alternative to a French drain?
1. Valleys. Valleys are a French drain alternative that will work very similarly to how a French drain does. You see, a French drain is basically a trench with pipes that can help to drain water, diverting it away from a particular area.
What is better than a French drain?
A sump pump is one the the most popular and most effective alternatives to a french drain. A sump pump add lots of drainage but comes with a few downsides. A sump system requires electricity to function and can be expensive to install and maintain.
Do landscapers put in French drains?
The landscaping construction company who installs your French drain needs to make sure the proper slope is determined so water flows continuously and consistently to the pop-up valve or exit. Another common failure is the pipe perforations become clogged with dirt and debris.
How much does it cost to install a French drain in a basement?
$5,000 to $13,500Interior French Drain Cost Interior basement French drains cost $40 to $100 per linear foot or $5,000 to $13,500 on average. Most basements need 100 to 150 linear feet of drain. They require more work and materials since they'll need to go under the concrete and often need specialized membranes for drainage.
Do French drains cause mold?
French drains are only installed on properties prone or likely to flood. These systems collect water and move it away from the basement walls so it won't penetrate. If it does, it can cause damp, mold, structural damage, and more problems. For these reasons, it's important to stay on top of maintaining a French drain.
Can you make a French drain without a pipe?
Officially a French drain is a gravel drain with no pipe. The water just collects in and travels through in a gravel or stone filled channel that starts from the surface or just below it.
Can you DIY a French drain?
A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.
What is the difference between a curtain drain and a French drain?
Curtain drains essentially do the same thing that french drains do- get rid of the water. The main difference is that french drains deal more with groundwater while curtain drains have more to do with surface water. Curtain drains are built in a very similar way to french drains but are dug to a shallow depth.
What is the difference between a French drain and a septic tank?
A septic tank is used for the disposal of sewerage only. It brings about the digestion of organic matter and discharges the black water into a French drain to soak away into the ground over time.
Why do French drains need to be done by a professional?
Also, French drains should be done by a professional because it requires digging into the foundation floor. Advertisement.
How deep is a French drain?
A French drain is an underground water management and drainage system. A trench is dug along the inside foundation of the home. It is usually dug 2 to 4 inches deep. A perforated drain pipe is installed. It is then surrounded with gravel and back filled.
What are the disadvantages of French drains?
Disadvantage. The major disadvantage to a French drain is that the pipes can clog up leading to flooding in the basement. As the excess water flows to the drain, it can pick up sediment and dirt along the way. The mud can then clog the perforations in the pipes, which would prevent water from flowing into the drain.
Why is my sump pump not working?
One of the disadvantages to sump pumps is that they are run by electricity. A strong storm may bring rain with it and can cause the power to go out. The sump pump runs on electricity , so the time that you need to sump pump the most, it may not work.
What causes a basement to flood?
Excess water around the foundation of a home may leak into the basement and cause flooding. A wet basement can cause many problems. The moisture from standing water in a basement can cause toxic mold and mildew to build up.
Where is the sump pump located in a basement?
A pit is dug at a lowest point in the basement. Therefore, as water accumulates, it will naturally run toward this area. The sump pump is placed in the pit where the water collects. It contains a float switch that is activated when the water reaches a certain level.
Can I use a sump pump and French drain to waterproof my basement?
If you have an excess of water in your basement, you may want to consider both a sump pump and French drain to waterproof your home. The French drain channels the water to the sump pump pit, which pumps the water out of the home much quicker that a pipe alone would do. Advertisement.
