Purchasing a home with a basement in Gastonia, NC, is widespread. Many homes often have completed and finished basements, but there can be situations when they are not. For example, when purchasing a home, we don’t expect to encounter a wet, leaky basement, as this typically means there is a damaged structural foundation.
So you might wonder, is it necessary to install a French drain in the basement facing leakage and water saturation issues? If you require water to be diverted away from your home, the answer may be yes.
Let’s get to know in this article why you need a basement French drain installation, what they do, the benefits and drawbacks of French drains and other types of gutters, how to avoid water accumulation in the basement, and when to call a professional waterproofing contractor in Gastonia, NC.
What is a French Drain?
A French drain collects moisture in a shallow trench and pulls it into a perforated pipe to remove water from a basement. The French drain is convenient and practical for drying out basements consistently flooded by rainwater and other groundwater.
Installing a French drain is a significant task that requires excavating into the building’s foundation. Therefore, those with extensive French drain installation experience should only be attempted, like the basement waterproofing experts at HydroHelp911.
Before installing a French drain in your basement, ensure you have a basin, sump pump, and exterior drain whereby the water collected in the basement can flow.
SIGNS THAT INDICATE FRENCH DRAIN INSTALLATION IS A MUST:
- A day after a massive storm, you always find water accumulating on your floor.
- A faulty sump pump or a poorly installed waterproofing system.
- Presence of efflorescence (white or red powdery stains on walls).
- Presence of cracks in the walls or floors.
- There is a distinct musty odor.
- The walls appear to be buckling inward (in extreme cases).
- Water seeps through the joint between the wall and the floor.
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French Drain Installation Process
A French interior drain keeps water out of your basement. The concept is, it collects water that drips inside and directs it by gravity to a sump pump, which discharges it outside the house or into a drain line.
HydroHelp911, a waterproofing contractor in Gastonia, NC, will create a channel around the perimeter of your basement slab for the interior French drain installation. Then, excavation of the ground beneath the track, installing the perforated drain pipe and a sump pump well, and filling the tunnel with drainage gravel are performed by the basement waterproofing experts HydroHelp911. In the end, the slabs are patched with a new layer of concrete.
ADVANTAGES:
- Doesn’t interfere with the exterior landscaping.
- Because the basement is easily accessible in all weather conditions, work can continue as planned.
- Our proprietary concrete mix strengthens the floor and walls of the houses. You are left with a brand-new waterproofed foundation.
- A French drain installation can be done in townhouses/condos or other restricted communities.
- The majority of connections are built in one to two days.
- It is less expensive than an exterior footing drain.
DISADVANTAGES:
- Applying wall finishes is problematic because French drain installation cannot stop water seepage through the basement walls.
- Clogging can occur– sediment and debris can clog the pipe, causing it to collect into the basement. The French drain can also gather residue and block, and clearing it out is difficult.
- Cutting concrete is a chaotic and loud process.
When You Should Hire a Professional
If you have water dripping into your basement and need advice on what you should have installed, contact a basement waterproofing professional. Furthermore, if you plan to install a French drain in your basement, a professional is your safest bet. Also, if you discover mold in your basement in Gastonia, NC, and are unsure of the source, a waterproofing professional can assist you by inspecting the house’s basement.
Our waterproofing experts enjoy educating customers about the importance of foundation and waterproofing. We offer a high-quality, high-efficiency system that outperforms other methods for nearly the same or less money. We have a team of experienced French drain installation and basement waterproofing experts known to provide excellent services in Gastonia, NC.
HOW CAN I KEEP WATER OUT OF MY BASEMENT?
Landscape design
Make sure that every landscaping element is appropriate for a home with a basement. Plants and shrubs that need to be watered will clog up the ground next to the house, allowing water to seep in. Eliminate the plants that do this and consider other forms of landscaping that will not require as much water.
Gutter installation
It is critical to install gutters in the home and ensure that they do not clog. Having to clean them out should be done as part of routine home maintenance. In addition, it is critical to install downspouts and ensure that they extend 4-6 feet away from the house, preferably 10 feet. A splash block under the downspout will also help move water away from home.
Grading Your Lawn
It would help to correct any negative grading, which occurs when the ground slopes towards the house. Water will enter the basement if the hill is not directed away from home.
WILL A FRENCH DRAIN SAFEGUARD MY FOUNDATION?
Yes. A French drain is the only method that can effectively and accurately redirect groundwater. We employs a one-of-a-kind French drain installation method that incorporates a 4-inch diameter French drain to ensure the complete elimination of groundwater below your floor. The water is diverted to the French drain pipe, which is never recognizable or noticeable, and it never comes into contact with your porous base. Our basement French drain systems are compatible with all types of foundations, including three-piece, poured, three-piece blocked, and stone foundations.
IS IT NECESSARY TO PLACE DRAINAGE GRAVEL BENEATH THE PIPE?
Indeed, the gravel supports any heavy loads above and below rather than having the pipe help anything. The rock is also used to keep dirt from entering into and clogging the French drain system. It also enables some minor overflow until the pump can catch up. Ascertain that your piping is installed at or a little below the foundation’s footer.
SHOULD I LET WATER ACCUMULATE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BASEMENT FRENCH DRAIN?
If there is water on the base of the French drain, there is a high chance that the slope is incorrect and the drain is not installed correctly. The stagnant water will stink, cause moisture issues, and eventually necessitate a remediation effort. Therefore, it’s best to get started on that as soon as possible. Contact HydroHelp911 for the best French drain installation and basement waterproofing services in Gastonia, NC.
HOW CAN THE WATER IN THE EXTERIOR AREA OF MY HOUSE BE DRAINED?
When you’re installing a French drain in a current basement, you’re probably experiencing water intrusion. Although the French drain will collect and reroute water that would otherwise accumulate in the basement, it will not address the underlying issue of water leaking through the basement walls. Instead, water will seep in through cracks on the outside of the basement walls. In addition, wet soil expands when it freezes, putting pressure on the basement walls. Drilling weep slots at the base of the foundation wall and inserting tubes to move water from outside the basement to the French drain inside can help relieve some of the water pressure.
WHEN SHOULD A FRENCH DRAIN BE INSTALLED?
The first sign is when the moisture in the air level in your basement or crawl space rises after a rainstorm or when the snow melts. The next sign is the drip of water on your floor, which could be coming from the walls, the floor, or where the wall and the floor join. The last and most evident case is when your basement floods. Contact us to schedule a free basement inspection.
Our French drain installation team will tell you where the water is coming from, in what ways it can be fixed and provide you with a quote of the waterproofing solutions we offer in Gastonia, NC.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AN EXTERIOR FRENCH DRAIN?
Exterior French drains, as the name suggests, are installed on the outside of your foundation walls. They provide a preventative solution by diverting water away from your home before it can interact with your foundation walls.
Exterior drains are less expensive than internal drainage systems, but they still necessitate excavation.
