Can you finish a French drain basement?
A French Drain System can be installed along 1 wall only-it can also be installed along 2 walls or in a very small area of only 5 ft if needed. If you are planning to finish off your basement- Installing a French Drain in a finished basement is more costly and more damaging to your basement.
How do I fix a French drain in my basement?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: We drilled weep holes within the foundation to empty out the cavities in the cinder block to drain it so that the water would drain from the cavities into the French drain.
How do you install an interior French drain?
To install an interior French drain, a waterproofing contractor cuts a channel into your basement slab around its perimeter. The contractor excavates the ground below the channel, installs perforated drain pipe and a sump pump well, and fills the trench with drainage gravel. The slab is patched with fresh concrete.
How long will a French drain last?
approximately 30 to 40 years
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.
How much does it cost to put a French drain in a basement?
Interior French Drain Cost
Interior basement French drains cost $40 to $100 per linear foot or $5,000 to $13,500 on average. Most basements need 100 to 150 linear feet of drain. They require more work and materials since they’ll need to go under the concrete and often need specialized membranes for drainage.
Do I need a sump pump if I have a French drain?
If you have an excess of water in your basement, you may want to consider both a sump pump and French drain to waterproof your home. The French drain channels the water to the sump pump pit, which pumps the water out of the home much quicker that a pipe alone would do.
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 do you seal a French drain?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And we use blackjack number 57 which is a liquid rubber compound it's actually a damp proofing compound. And it is made for block. And it really does a great job of keeping moisture.
How often should French drains be cleaned?
about once per year
Despite the design’s best efforts, French drains get clogged by dirt, debris and silt. They do need to be cleaned out regularly – about once per year – to ensure that they continue to direct water away from the building’s foundation. The best way to clean a French drain is mechanically, using an electric snake.
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.
Is a French drain a permanent solution?
French Drain Installation
A properly designed and installed French drain system is the only complete and permanent solution to ground water intrusions in your basement.
Can you cover a French drain with dirt?
Can I cover a French drain with dirt? Because a French drain has holes throughout the pipe which allow it collect water, you should not install dirt on top of the drain pipe. Installing dirt will clog the pipe and the holes, rendering it useless.
Will a French drain freeze in the winter?
While usually a good strategy to prevent foundation damage, French drains may get damaged by winter thaw and freeze cycles.
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.
What’s 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 is at the end of a French drain?
The two ends of a French drain system are: The drain field, or high end, where excess ground water enters the drain pipes. The drain exit, or lowest point, where water leaves the system.
Can you walk on a French drain?
Popular in the space between houses, drainage walkways are basically a stepping stone path installed over the top of a French drain system. They function much like a dry creek bed, but allow for walking on top.
Can you put pea gravel over French drain?
Do NOT Use Pea Gravel, Pea Pebble, Pea Stone When Building a French Drain. When building a French drain, you want to use a coarse rock that has been screened and washed. The rock that you see in this French Drain is 3/4″ and larger. You end up with large voids that’ll move far more water.
Does French drain need an outlet?
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn’t require an inlet on just one end either. You can construct the drain to accept water along its length, and disperse it underground.
