Basements are great for expanding your living space and increasing storage. But if you see any signs of a wet basement, such as a powdery crust or cracks in the walls, the first renovation you should be planning is putting in a French drain system.
For most homeowners on Staten Island, spring is a happy time marking the arrival of warmer weather and longer days. But for anyone who has ever had to deal with the awful aftermath of a flooded basement, spring is one season that is tough to celebrate. You see, April showers don’t just bring May flowers. If you have a basement that is prone to water problems, the heavy rains of spring can also usher in such potentially serious consequences as mold growth, structural damage, foundation decay, and even lowered property value.
French drains consist of a trench dug approximately 18″ wide and 24″ deep. Typical configurations include drain rock, a perforated pipe, and filter fabric to protect the drain rock and pipe from getting clogged up with dirt and debris. Consideration must be given to proper slope to move the water in the proper direction.
Water from a drain is typically routed to a dry well, garden beds, or other drainage areas. A common approach is to route the water to the street where rainwater is already properly managed. In many areas, hooking up the drain to the sewer system is illegal, because it overwhelms the sewage treatment plants.
In many cases, drains are hooked up to sump pumps. The sump will pump the water to a location that could not be normally reached due to improper slope or location. The proper sump pump system design is crucial to the success of your French drain in these types of applications. Sump pump systems are comprised of a drainage barrel and a sump pump. Sump pumps must be connected to properly grounded GFI outlets for safety reasons. Sump pumps are trigger by a float switch that detects water beyond a certain level, and then automatically turning on the sump pump. The proper horsepower pump and a high-quality pump that can handle the proper volume of water without clogging is crucial for trouble-free operation. Pumps are frequently pumped to the front yard area where they can drain on to the street.
There are two basic styles of French drains. The first is an exterior draining system. This means that the trench for the pipe is dug just outside the foundation wall so that it drains and redirects water entirely from the outside of your building. This type of basement waterproofing drain can work very well but does have a big downside. If it needs service, the whole area around your home will have to be excavated.
The second style is internal. This means that the trench for the pipe is dug along the inside perimeter of your basement. If you’re working with new construction, this should be done prior to basement finishing. If you need to install a French drain in an existing building, the perimeter of the floor will need to be cut and removed down to the footing so that the drain system can be installed. This drain collects the water from below your foundation before it has a chance to find its way into your property. Internal French drains are usually installed with a sump pump to pump the excess water out of the basement area. Once the whole system is installed, the trench is covered in cement for a smooth finish.
French Drains are typically installed around perimeters of houses, on the downslope area of oncoming surface water from hills, and also hooked up to downspouts to move water away from the house.
There are many considerations in designing a French drain system. An experienced drainage general contractor can solve all the design issues for you. For most people, their home is the largest investment they have. It’s wise to protect your home with proper drainage. Call a reputable French drain contractor to help solve your water problems.
French channels are an amazing choice if you have a wet storm cellar or cellar flooding, and in the event that you need to evade expensive establishment repair work later on due to water damage. If you have basement water issues, talk to your basement contractor today to find out if these drains might be right for you.
