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!

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.

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.

Is there something 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.

What's better than a sump pump?

If a sump pump fails or is overwhelmed, the basement will flood; they typically have battery back-up pump systems alongside. An ejector pump often looks just like a sump pump and is also installed in a basin in the floor.

Sump pump vs french drain: Ask a Home Inspector, Ep.1

Is there an alternative to sump pump?

Some potential alternatives to a sump pump are french drains, ground grading and gutters to improve drainage away from the home.

Does having a sump pump lower home value?

Increasing the value of your home through a sump pump is one of the most ideal and cost-effective way to do so. Having your own drainage system right under your basement through a sump pump keeps the lower level of your house dry throughout the year and a big plus to real estate hunters.

Can you have a sump pump without a French drain?

So, in conclusion, if you have 1 spot that gets water and absolutely nowhere else and you don't want to vacuum it up then get a sump pump. The rest of us need a French Drain.

When should a French drain be installed?

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

Location in Home and Accessibility

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do french drains attract mosquitoes?

As great as french drains are for moving water, the water basins that serve as inlets are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos. They are dark, wet, and usually undisturbed except during a rainfall.

Can french drains cause foundation problems?

They Can Actually Damage Your Foundation!

That's right, homeowners often install French drains to protect their foundation from hydrostatic pressure and water intrusion, but they can actually damage the concrete!

How far away from the house should a French drain be?

How Close Should a French Drain be to the House? A good rule of thumb is to install french drains 3 feet from the house. Make sure to measure around the porch, patio and deck.

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.

Do I need a sump pump in crawl space?

If your crawl space collects large pools of water or the water drains slowly, you should consider getting a sump pump. However, pumps are not always necessary. If your home does not flood much or if you have alternatives installed, such as French drains, you might not need to install a new pump at all.

How do you know if you need a sump pump?

Should every basement have a sump pump?

If your house is built on a concrete slab (no basement) then odds are there is no sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to take water that surrounds your foundation and pump it outside before it can seep into your basement. So—no basement—no need for a sump pump.

Is sump pump a red flag?

RED FLAG #2 – Exhausted Sump Pump

Meant to move water away from the foundation, if the pump runs frequently it could mean that this home is vulnerable to too much moisture. AND foundations and water don't play well together.

Why do new homes have sump pumps?

Why Do Some Homes Have Sump Pumps and Others Don't? A sump pump is a device that eliminates moisture and prevents flooding in a home. Typically housed in a specially constructed pit below the main surface of a basement, a sump pump collects excess water from drains and pumps it out of the pit and away from the house.