Foundation French Drain Installation

We describe the basic types of exterior and interior foundation drainage and de watering systems for homes.
Foundation french drain installation. 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. Indoor french drains are installed in a trench along the perimeter of the foundation and the water is routed into a sump pump. This type of drain is known as a shallow french drain or a curtain drain. Years ago a french drain was a simple ditch filled with gravel.
The trench should have a minimum downward slope of about 1 inch per 8 feet toward the area where you want to direct the water. A french drain on the other hand is the best option if you have high moisture levels in the dirt surrounding your home s foundation. French drains are a common waterproofing system used to help control the flow of water around homes. In many cases older homes with foundation water issues lack a french drain at the footing level.
Where the lot has enough slope and size for a drain to run downhill from the foundation to daylight most builders prefer to install the drainage outside the footings. Soggy yards or wet basements need a french drain system to divert water away from the home. Think of a french drain as an underground gutter system that collects and drains water before it enters your home s foundation. Every new house has some version of a french drain at the bottom of the foundation.
A shallow drain consists of a modestly sized trench about 12 inches wide and dug to a depth between 12 and 24 inches. This article defines gives specifications for and discusses types of interior perimeter drain or french drain methods for stopping or preventing wet basements and crawl spaces. A french drain around the perimeter of your house would be a great inexpensive way to divert water runoff without having to regrade the entire yard. In these wet basements water presses against the foundation and gradually leaks through.
Foundation drainage installation and troubleshooting. French drain installation is usually a job for professionals who understand the angles required for proper water drainage and who can identify a better location for the water that won t cause erosion and flooding. This type of french drain is made by placing a perforated pipe in a trench and filling with gravel. A french drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard.
Start by picking a location. It is a great option if you want to direct surface water away from your home s foundation to remove surface water or to prevent flooding. A french drain also provides a solution for basements that admit water through the foundation. Installing a french drain is a simple job that requires a bit of planning and the right materials.