French Drain (Inside basement)

[paul v Goodluck]

Ive been told by some that this is the best way to go to keep my basement dry. The water table in my area is high, but this is the first time Ive had water in my basement since I bought the house brand new 4 years ago. How is the success rate with these French drains and what other options do I have. I would like to finish my basement in the next couple of years. Thank you for whatever advice you can give.

[AnthonyParticipant]

A French Drain depends on the ground below the floor being able to absorb the moisture that accumulates. If the water table is high, then the drain will pobably not work, and if the table is high enough as I have seen it in some areas, it could be a source of flooding. Also the drain only removes the water after it is in the basement, so a finished room would be subjected to the water infiltration. The best, and much more expensive solution is to install a drain pipe around the outside of the residence, at a level lower than the finished floor, and connect it to a sump pump which would discharge the accumulation to a sewer or area remote from the house.: Ive been told by some that this is the best way to go to keep my basement dry. The water table in my area is high, but this is the first time Ive had water in my basement since I bought the house brand new 4 years ago. How is the success rate with these French drains and what other options do I have. I would like to finish my basement in the next couple of years. Thank you for whatever advice you can give.

[AnthonyParticipant]

: A French Drain depends on the ground below the floor being able to absorb the moisture that accumulates. If the water table is high, then the drain will pobably not work, and if the table is high enough as I have seen it in some areas, it could be a source of flooding. Also the drain only removes the water after it is in the basement, so a finished room would be subjected to the water infiltration. The best, and much more expensive solution is to install a drain pipe around the outside of the residence, at a level lower than the finished floor, and connect it to a sump pump which would discharge the accumulation to a sewer or area remote from the house.: : Ive been told by some that this is the best way to go to keep my basement dry. The water table in my area is high, but this is the first time Ive had water in my basement since I bought the house brand new 4 years ago. How is the success rate with these French drains and what other options do I have. I would like to finish my basement in the next couple of years. Thank you for whatever advice you can give.

[AnthonyParticipant]

In 1992 we bought a 13 year old house with a full basement that appeared to be dry. 3 years later water started coming in after a wet winter and spring. Then I notice the support column adjacent to the south wall was not straight. I tore off the solid stryofoam insulation which the original owner has installed. I found a block wall that was 4 inches out of plumb! I tore off all the stryofoam on all 4 walls and found that 3 out of the 4 walls were buckling in. I had the southeast corner dug out on the outside of the house so I could check the drainage tile at its exit. The builder had cut corners and used very little rock in the tile work. We had the basement walls anchored and are now straight. The east and west walls still get a little damp. Today I had a french drain dug outside the west wall. The east wall has a sidewalk/concrete porch outside it. This porch has settled toward the house and is allowing rain to flow to the basement wall! I have sealed the gap between the sidewalk and basement wall with hydrolic cement but the dry summer has caused the porch to move again and now there is about a 1.5 inch gap. Looking for suggestions on the sidewalk and anyother ideas to help.

[AnthonyParticipant]

I am married just one year and my wife and I want to buy our first home. We are interested in a semi-attached house to be built. The builder is putting French drains in as an added feature. He says it is easier to put in as the house is being built then after. He also said, he was not putting them in because of a water problem in the area, but as a precaution none the less. This semi-attached is the only one to be built on this corner lot as the rest of the block is already in place. This corner property looks like it is lower than the surrounding house, around the corner, but it just may be an illusion with just trees on the lot. Any feedback would be appreciated as this is all new to me. Thanking you in advance. Mike

[AnthonyParticipant]

: I am married just one year and my wife and I want to buy our first home. We are interested in a semi-attached house to be built. The builder is putting French drains in as an added feature. He says it is easier to put in as the house is being built then after. He also said, he was not putting them in because of a water problem in the area, but as a precaution none the less. This semi-attached is the only one to be built on this corner lot as the rest of the block is already in place. This corner property looks like it is lower than the surrounding house, around the corner, but it just may be an illusion with just trees on the lot. : Any feedback would be appreciated as this is all new to me. : Thanking you in advance. : Mike

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