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.

Should I get a sump pump or French drain?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask us is which is better: a sump pump or French drains. Both options offer the ability to drain water and have their advantages and disadvantages – if you still can’t pick we recommend installing a sump pump. They offer more draining power and are more flexible.

Is there something 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.

Can you install a sump pump without a French drain?

Without a drain tile system, a sump pit and pump is most effective if it can be positioned in the precise low spot in the basement where water naturally collects.

What are alternatives to French drains?

Swales or Valleys



Swales, also called valleys, are an alternative to French drains that capture and divert rainwater. Swales are shallow ditches that do not contain pipes. You can usually find them along a property’s edge, following the natural grade of the land to direct runoff to ditches or wooded areas.

Is there an alternative to a sump pump?

Some potential alternatives to a sump pump are french drains, ground grading and gutters to improve drainage away from the home.

What’s better than a sump pump?

If a sump pump fails or is overwhelmed, the basement will flood; they typically have battery back-up pump systems alongside. An ejector pump often looks just like a sump pump and is also installed in a basin in the floor.

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.

Which is better French drain or swale?

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.

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.

What is the difference between a French drain and a septic tank?

Brick Built Septic Tanks Or French Drains



The remaining waste water run directly into a French Drain which channels the water away. Many septic tanks have a filtration tank where the waste water is filtered before leaving the system into the French drain.

What is a Dutch drain?

Open drain that carries stormwater runoff from the bottom of a house wall away from the house.

How do I drain my yard without a slope?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: In a flat yard. So we love these 12 inch round basins. And they're just under 16 inches tall. You see all these different circles.

Should every basement have a sump pump?

If your house is built on a concrete slab (no basement) then odds are there is no sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to take water that surrounds your foundation and pump it outside before it can seep into your basement. So—no basement—no need for a sump pump.

Can you waterproof a basement without a sump pump?

To do this, a trench is dug to the depth of the footings of affected walls. Drainage pipe is installed at the bottom of the trench to collect water that seeps from above and carry it to a part of your yard away from your home or into a drainage pit. A coating and a vapor barrier are added to exterior walls.

Does having a sump pump lower home value?

It keeps their properties protected and increases its value even after a couple of years have passed. If you are a home owner and have not yet invested in a sump pump, here are some benefits that you can get from having one.

Is it hard to sell a house with a sump pump?

While real estate agents don’t recommend including a sump pump in the listing, you will be expected to include it in the property condition disclosure, says Dopp. “Typically, if they’ve had any problems with the sump pumps, they would, by law, be supposed to disclose that as well.”

Why do new homes have sump pumps?

Why Do Some Homes Have Sump Pumps and Others Don’t? A sump pump is a device that eliminates moisture and prevents flooding in a home. Typically housed in a specially constructed pit below the main surface of a basement, a sump pump collects excess water from drains and pumps it out of the pit and away from the house.

How long do sump pumps last?

about 10 years

How Long Does A Sump Pump Last On Average? Like other appliances and equipment in your home, your sump pump won’t last forever. Averaging about 10 years, you might not notice your sump pump has malfunctioned until it has stopped working.

What shortens the life span of a sump pump?

One of the main and biggest causes of a sump pumps natural life span being shortened is a lack of maintenance. Having a regular schedule set up with a trained sump pump specialist is a sure fire way to keep your sump pump healthy, lengthen its lifespan and get the most out of your waterproofing investment.

Can a sump pump last 20 years?

Even if you have professionally installed a quality product, a sump pump should be replaced every 7-10 years. Typically located in a basin on your basement floor, your sump pump collects excess water from drains and redirects it away from the house.