What is French drain basement?

A French drain (also called a weeping tile, drain tile, perimeter drain or sub-surface drain) is a common basement waterproofing solution. It's a trench containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from the foundation.

What is the purpose of a French drain in a basement?

Exterior French drains function to divert water around the exterior perimeter of your house. Interior French drains, on the other hand, function to divert and carry away water and moisture out from the interior of your basement. This is one of the most effective systems for treating severe damp problems in basements.

Should I install French drain in basement?

A French drain can either be installed in your home's interior, under the basement floor, or outside the home, buried in the soil along the foundation footing. Both are very effective solutions for a wet basement. French drains don't prevent water from getting into your basement.

What does a French drain do?

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.

Are French drains worth it?

French drains help prevent flooding and reduce the risk of long-term water damage to your property. They can last between 30 and 40 years. They're cost-effective. French drains can be aesthetically pleasing as they are usually covered with small rocks, plants and sometimes even decorative grates.

French Drain Installation - Arid Basement Waterproofing

Are French drains expensive?

On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $5,000 and $13,500 to have a French drain installed in the home. The required size of the drain will also play a role in the cost—most basements will need between 100 and 150 feet of installed French drain.

Do I need a sump pump if I have a French drain?

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.

Which is better sump pump or 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!

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.

How often should French drains be cleaned?

French Drain Maintenance

To prevent this, clean out and snake the French drain once a year. Whether you're performing interior French drain maintenance, basement French drain cleanout or exterior French drain maintenance, you'll need an electric sewer snake. You can easily rent one if you don't want to buy it.

How much does it cost to install a French drain in a basement?

Depending on the size of your basement, a French drain inside your home can cost between $5,000 and $13,500 on average, or $40 to $100 per linear foot. Add a sump pump to the design for $650 to $2,000, bringing the project total to $5,650 to $15,500.

How long does a French drain last?

This is why most experts state that a French drain is not a long-term solution to a drainage problem: You have to dig it up and reinstall it every eight to 10 years.

Where does French drain water go?

These drains are used to direct surface water or groundwater away from a specific area, such as a home's foundation. French drains direct surface level water toward the lowest point and allow it to seep through the surface level gravel into the drain. This gravel also blocks the passage of excess debris.

When should you use a French drain?

French Drains are primarily used to drain groundwater from gardens and around the foundations of buildings. French drains are designed to move water that is trapped in the ground away or towards an area. They are best used in soil that is prone to frequent saturation from rain or flooding.

Will a French drain prevent water in basement?

An interior French drain doesn't prevent water from entering your basement. Rather, it catches water that seeps inside and channels it by gravity to a sump pump that sends the water back outside or into a drain line.

Will a French drain help with water in basement?

A French drain (also called a weeping tile, drain tile, perimeter drain or sub-surface drain) is a common basement waterproofing solution. It's a trench containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from the foundation.

Should there be standing water in basement floor drain?

Yes, floor drains should have water in them. They contain drain traps that keep them clean. Therefore, it is necessary to have a fixed volume of water in your drain. Ideally, many suggest maintaining the water level at least 2-3 inches below the drain.

Which is better interior or exterior French drain?

Conclusion. Both exterior and interior French drains provide effective protection against flooding and water damage in your basement. Yet, due to the costs and difficulty of installing and servicing an exterior drain on existing houses, it may be better to install interior drains.

Can you waterproof a basement without a sump pump?

Installing and improving the gutters is another way to keep your basement from flooding without installing a sump pump. While this option will not drain or prevent water from entering your basement through the soil it can push water from your roof far enough from your home it drains to another area.

Where does a basement sump pump drain to?

Specifically, when you run your sump pump into the sewer line, it goes into the sewer treatment systems with all the other sewer water, which may include both dirty and clean water. The treatment plant of your local sewer system can only handle so much water.

Do French drains increase home value?

The value of the property. Installing a French drain will increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell it in future. On the other hand, a substandard French drain may spell disaster for neighboring residences.

What can I do instead of a French drain?

Does a French drain work in the winter?

When placed below the frost line, your French drain will work in all seasons and will not suffer from issues such as frozen obstructions caused by either the freezing or thawing cycles. If you are in need of French drain services, consider Brothers Plumbing, a leader in the industry.