An Interior Drain Keeps Your Basement Dry So You Can Convert It Into Living Space
If your family is growing and your home is getting short on space, it may be time to consider finishing your basement. You could use the basement for a spare bedroom, family room, or even an additional bathroom. If you have problems with a wet basement, you'll need to fix those first. You want a permanent solution so you won't have to worry about dampness ruining your electronics or mold harming your kids. An interior French drain system could be the best option. Here's how it works.
The Drain Is Installed Under The Floor
Installing an interior French drain can be loud and messy, but the work goes pretty fast. The contractor has to bust up the concrete in your basement floor to install the drain. A narrow channel is removed from the concrete all along one or more walls. The trough goes all the way through the concrete and into the soil below your house. Since the trough is lower than the foundation of your house, any water that flows toward your house will fall into the channel rather than seep into your basement.
A Pipe Is Inserted And Buried
Once the trench is ready, a pipe is placed inside it. Gravel may be placed under and over the pipe so water can filter through it. The pipe has slits or holes in it so water can get in through the top. Water that flows to your house falls into the pipe and is drained to a holding well. The pipe is installed at a slight angle so gravity directs the water to the well. When the pipe is situated properly, it is covered with concrete again. This keeps the drainage system out of sight so you can finish the basement and put in any type of flooring you like.
The Sump Pump Is Installed
The well collects water that would normally flood your basement, but it takes a pump to get the water out of the house. A sump pump is attached to the well so it is triggered automatically once the water level reaches a certain depth. When it kicks on, it forces water out of the well and out of the house. There is a drain outside that directs water away from the house. It can be buried underground until it reaches the street so the entire system is out of the way and working around the clock in the background unseen.
An interior French drain will put an end to your wet basement problems that normally occur when it rains. However, it won't fix dampness associated with condensation. Condensation problems are usually corrected as the basement is finished since the solutions include adding insulation on the walls, wrapping exposed pipes, and controlling the climate in the room. With water seepage and condensation in check, your basement will stay nice and dry so it is a suitable living space for your family.
