We cannot stop water from flowing, but we can direct it in the direction we want. Because many areas experience heavy rainfall during the year, drainage issues have been a significant concern in residential and commercial properties. Without proper attention, it can cause hydrostatic pressure, jeopardizing the foundation’s stability. Because the crawl space or the basement is the lowest point in your home, even a light rainstorm or snowfall can cause flooding.
A French drain is a component of an ideal system for total waterproofing protection beneath your home. This specially designed French drain post piping system collects water at the floor and wall joints, where most crawl space flooding occurs. It also contains water from the walls and diverts it, preventing it from reaching the floor’s interior.
What is a French Drain System?
A French drain is a sewage arrangement that comprises a gravel-filled trench connected to a perforated pipe that collects water and moisture and directs it to another area. This type of drainage system aims to keep water from saturating buildings or home foundations, which can cause significant and expensive damage. A French drain system is the most effective drainage system for dealing with flooding and water problems. There are numerous approaches to resolving your crawl space water issues.
Installing a French drain in an existing home is a significant construction project. If installed inside, beneath the basement floor, a jackhammer will be needed to dig up the base for the tunnel. If the French drain is installed outside, along the perimeter of the foundation, it will necessitate extensive excavation down to the footer. As a result, HydroHelp911 does not recommend the installation of a French drain in the crawl space as a do-it-yourself project.
The Operation of French Drains
French drains allow water to flow easily through a channel. Water flows into a gravel-filled trench, then into an outlet pipe at the trench’s bottom.
Water flows openly through the pipe, which discharges safely away from the house. The tunnel at the bottom should be slightly raised 1 inch every 8 feet in the direction you want the water to drain. Depending on the circumstances, can divert the water to:
- Your property’s low-lying area
- A drainage trench
- A dry well
- The road
To know that will Standing Water in Crawl Space Go Away. Watch this video!
How to Install a French Drain on Your Property
CHOOSE THE LOCATION
The best place is determined by the problem areas, the neighboring elevation, and the underlying soil condition. The crawl space French drain installation team at HydroHelp911 will ensure proper slope, depth, and other factors to choose the location. In case of soil conditions, sandy soil in an out-of-the-way place is preferred, but French drain installation experts at HydroHelp911 will find the right solution based on the unique features of your property.
GET READY TO DIG THE FRENCH DRAIN
You must consider city codes, and you must be conscious of how your newly acquired drainage solution will affect your neighbors. That is an excellent time to call the local utility company and have any subway lines flagged before you start digging. Once you begin searching, the depth of your drain should range from eight inches to two feet, depending on your needs and current alternatives.
CALCULATE THE GRADING
To begin, mark the dimensions of the trench. Then, as the digging process begins, a knotted string is tied between them, allowing easy grade measurements. Throughout the process, regular measuring checks will be performed by the team.
DIG A TUNNEL ACROSS THE SLOPE
It is the most labor-intensive part of the project, and constant grading measurements must be dug. The size of the drainage issue will determine the width of the trench. More minor drainage problems can be solved with a 5- to 6-inch-wide channel, whereas more significant matters will necessitate a more dramatic trench.
PLACE THE FABRIC
After the trench or the tunnel has been dug, it will be encased with landscape fabric and stuffed with gravel. This fabric keeps dirt from settling on the gravel and encourages water infiltration.
INSTALL THE DRAINAGE PIPE
At the bottom of the trench, insert a slotted or perforated pipe. To drain away from the house, the pipe must be directed towards an outlet.
FILL THE SPACE WITH GRAVEL
The drain is nearly finished. Now, we will install the gravel of your choice. Once the rock is in place, add another layer of landscape fabric, followed by a layer of soil or sod at the surface.
The French drain installation in the crawl space is done in this easy 7-step installation process by HydroHelp911. The process starts to eliminate water from the crawl space immediately after the installation work is completed.
The Hydrostatic Pressure is Relieved by French Drains
When water accumulates in the soil outside your basement walls or beneath the basement floor and has nowhere to drain, hydrostatic pressure builds up and presses against the walls or the floor. If this remains for an extended period, the walls will begin to bend inward and might crack. Water can even be forced through a basement wall or floor due to hydrostatic press. As a result, a sound drainage system not only helps to keep your basement dry but also preserves the structural uprightness of your house by attempting to halt the hydrostatic pressure from developing.
The installation of French drains in the crawl space by HydroHelp911 alleviates hydrostatic pressure against your foundation wall or floor by ensuring that the soil beneath and around your foundation is never wholly saturated with water.
To get an idea of Hydrostatic Pressure. Watch this video!
Why Choose HydroHelp911?
At HydroHelp911, we offer the crawl space services you need at a reasonable price. Our team of experts has years of experience with crawl space repairs and maintenance. Request a free inspection for your crawl space today.
Is it better to install it inside or outside your house?
A French drain installed inside – beneath your basement floor, or outside – submerged along the foundation footer, inhibits hydrostatic pressure from building up by ensuring that the soil is never swamped. All excess water is directed away from the foundation by gravity or a sump pump. Please remember that a French drain is not the same as a channel drain. Channel drains are a type of above-ground drainage system.
Do I need to install a French interior drain?
When hydrostatic power forces water into the foundation through the joint between the wall and the floor or cracks in the foundation, a French interior drain in the crawl space by HydroHelp911 is recommended. This pressure is caused by an increase in the groundwater, which is typically caused by heavy rains.
Installing a French interior drain entails removing a strip of concrete floor around the perimeter and digging a shallow trench to the footings’ base. Next, gravel is poured and pierced, and corrugated plastic pipe is laid on top and connected to a sump basin through a filter. Finally, the pipe is covered with gravel, and the concrete floor is replaced.
What are the benefits of a crawl space French drain?
Features of HydroHelp911 French drain system are:
- Prevents water seepage through the wall or floor.
- Intended to be clog-free.
- Installation is non-invasive.
- Warranty of 20 years.
- Less expensive than external solutions.
- Obtainable all year.
How much does it cost to install a basement French Drain?
The cost of installing a French drain in an existing home’s basement is determined by several factors, including your geographical location, the size of the gutter, etc. As a result, HydroHelp911 can’t provide an accurate cost estimate for crawl space French drain installation in Hickory, NC without assessing your property first.
Request a free inspection and estimate for a French drain system installation from HydroHelp911, a professional foundation repair contractor. The French drain installation team of HydroHelp911 will evaluate for free and will be able to tell you whether a French drain is a viable solution for you.
When should a French drain be installed?
The first sign is when the humidity level in your crawl space soars after a rainstorm or when the snow melts. The next sign is a drip of water on the floor, coming from the walls. The last and most obvious case is when your basement floods.
To schedule a free inspection, call HydroHelp911. We will extract the problem, inform you where the water comes from, how it can be fixed, and provide you with a quote.
