It is a trench that has a perforated pipe that takes the groundwater and surface water and diverts them away from the home. It lies in the interior of the perimeter of the basement and is below ground level. They are necessary for homes to keep the water away and to keep mold from growing in the basement.

Is an interior French drain worth it?

Stagnant water can result in lawn, tree, basement and foundation damage, which can hurt your home’s value and lead to costly repairs down the road. French drains are a cost-effective option to help protect your property from standing water and reduce the chance of flooding.

Is it better to French drain inside or outside?

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 really need a French drain?

An especially deep French drain will be necessary if water has moved into the basement. Also referred to as a footing drain, this drain extends along the home’s perimeter to gather water before it moves into the basement.

Do I need a French drain around my house?

The location of your home may have been extremely attractive when you bought it, but a home on low ground needs help from a French Drain. Your home can flood easily because gravity is pulling water to the house during a rain storm. The French drain takes advantage of gravity to prevent flooding.

What is the difference between an interior and exterior French drain?

These systems don’t require any trenches to be dug in the yard as exterior drainage systems do. Instead, a drain pipe is installed and covered with gravel at the bottom of the wall and filled with cement. Interior drainage systems work by collecting water from where the floor and wall meet.

How much do interior French drains cost?

between $5,000 and $13,500

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.

Do interior drainage systems work?

Interior drainage systems often work in conjunction with sump pumps to quickly and effectively remove water that has made its way inside your home. Determining the correct type of waterproofing system to meet your homes needs is something best left for a waterproofing professional trained in the many options available.

What is the difference between a French drain and a perimeter drain?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Usually in two different ways. The first one will be buried around the foundation wall on the external side of the foundation.

How long do interior French drains last?

How long do french drains last? Properly installed drains use advanced plastic sheeting called geotextile to protect the drainpipe from a blockage. French drains can last decades before needing maintenance. If your home requires a sump pump, a high-quality model will last around ten years before needing replacement.

What can I do instead of a French drain?

5 Alternatives to French Drains

  1. Sump Pumps.
  2. Dry Wells. A dry well can add drainage without the need for an electrical or sewage line connection. …
  3. Stairs, Steps or a Ramp. …
  4. Landscaping. …
  5. Valleys or Ditches. …
  6. Gutters.


Do all houses have french drains?

French drains are placed either on the outside of a structure, or on the inside. In California, the inside version is less common, since these generally go inside basements, which few houses have.

What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?

Aside from what we’ve listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.

Is a swale better than a French drain?

French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.

Why do French drains fail?

Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.

How close can a French drain be to a house?

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.

What is an interior French drain?

An interior French Drain is a trench providing a channel for the water to flow through and into a sump pump basin. The trench is filled with gravel as well as perforated pipe, in which the water runs freely and then empties at a safe distance from your home.

Can a French drain cause a sinkhole?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Never put the dirt back in the dirt is why you're building a drainage system 99 out a hundred times to begin with because it has poor percolation. If it had good percolation.

Do french drains work in clay soil?

Clay soil can contribute to this problem, as it holds water well. Clay can also clog a French drain system by filtering fine particles into the aggregate, where the particles fill in gaps and prevents water from getting through.

Do French drains need to be sloped?

French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.

Do you need a catch basin for French drain?

Does a French Drain Need a Catch Basin? Not all French drains require catch basins or another surface drain. If you live in a region with moderate rainfall, an area where storm systems are uncommon, or your yard doesn’t experience heavy surface flooding, you can install a standalone French drain.