Yard Drainage Systems
Controlling Water through Yard Drainage Systems
There are different yard drainage systems through which basement leakage can be prevented. The french drain is a process where a passage is cut with a trencher and rigid fabricated drain tiles are placed in the passage to direct away the water to a more desirable place.
A basic understanding of soil and groundwater behavior is important. Knowing and applying a few installation guidelines as presented here can make the difference between success and failure
Interior French Drains
An interior french drain system is buried within the perimeter walls underneath the basement floor, during the construction of a new building. This drain system consists of perforated plastic pipes that are place through the footings to allow water to flow between the basement floor and the exterior perimeter drain system . For sites that have a very high water table, interior perforated plastic pipes are placed within the crushed stone, along the inside of the foundation footing (the entire basement wall structure) and connected to the pipes that discharge into the perimeter drain system. This method will reduce hydrostatic pressure that can build during rainy seasons.
For existing homes with a leaky basement, an interior drainage system is one of the most common you will see. This interior french drain system is created by sawing out a channel of concrete in the basement floor, at the base of the foundation wall, near the footing. Perforated pipe is put in the dug trench within the crushed stone (if any), If there is no crushed stone, filter fabric should be used around the pipe to prevent future clogging.
The trench is then filled over with concrete. The pipe drains to the basements low spot into a drainage basin where the sump pump will sit.
Once the water enters the internal French drain system, it’s directed to a sump pump, which discharges the water outside through a pipe that discharges the water downhill beyond the foundation, Some will run the sump pump drain pipe on the top of the yard, which could freeze, causing the water to back up in your basement. Proper installation would be for the pipe to discharge through the foundation wall and underground below the frost line, to a final low point away from the foundation. Annual maintenance of the sump pump, and the interior french drain system can be kept running smoothly, ensuring a dry basement all the time
Yard French Drain Systems
A French Drain System is a method used to eliminate freestanding water away from a building. French drains, simply well dug trenches filled with gravel, sand and sometimes a drainage pipe, are usually installed at or near low points along the perimeter of a building where standing water can accumulate, ex. from roof runoff and roof drains, saturate the soil, and permeate the building material. The system should end at a point on the property that will not drain back towards the building. The low cost and relatively easy installation, plus the ability to hide the drainage trench with a cover of grass or turf, makes this system very popular.
Perimeter French Drain Systems
A French drain system properly designed and installed below the base of the subgrade wall, will relieve the hydrostatic pressure and is an indispensable component of any subgrade waterproofing project
This type of French drain system helps water around the house flow away from the foundation. French drain designs simply allow the water to flow where it wants to flow – the path of least resistance. These French drains aid in exterior drainage and save your house from basement water seepage. The installation process is similar to that of the interior french drain, using perforated pipe is put in the trench on top of crushed stone, filter fabric should be used on top of the pipe to prevent future clogging. This done prior to the backfilling of the foundation, for new construction.
In many older homes, perimeter drain systems were not installed. To replace or service your exterior perimeter French drain system, your yard will need to undergo exterior excavation. Usually done with heavy machinery, this requires the entire exterior of your home to be dug out. Everything along that exterior including shrubbery, gardens, sidewalks, porches, steps, and all other landscaping in the area will need to be removed while the work is done.
A proper site evaluation needs to be conducted, with a complete understanding of the soil conditions, the drainage of the land and surrounding homes, and what drain systems you currently have in place. Give us a call today for your site evaluation to determine if a yard drainage system if the correct approach for you.
