Basement Drainage: How to Pick The Right One For Your Home

A cooler climate and the precipitation that comes with it make it challenging to keep your basement clean and safe. When you’re dealing with this kind of Virginia weather on a daily basis, you’ll want an effective drainage system that works.

The basement waterproofing process can be completed without installing a drainage system. However, these kinds of waterproofing solutions are only temporary ones. If you’re experiencing more severe flooding, a draining system like a sump pump or a French drain will help you remove standing water from your basement quickly and easily.

This page explains basement drainage and how to choose the right one for your home.

With that sense of ease, let’s look at the drainage systems you could bring into your home. These systems will save you stress and money in the long run – so why not consider them?

The Truth About Sump Pumps

If you’re going to install a drainage system, you’re going to need a sump pump. Sump pumps are the small pumps that hold the water drained from your basement. Whether installing an interior or exterior drainage system, you will need one of these pumps to make it effective. As such, budget carefully when moving into a system installation project. Talk to your contractor to see if there’s a pump already on your property or if you’ll need one installed alongside the system of your choice.

Interior Drainage Systems

There are several ways your basement can flood, and not all flooding is the same. The most telling difference in types of floods is where the flood originates. For example, the flooding in your basement could begin at a cove joint or where your basement’s floor comes in contact with a wall.

Flooding at these joint points is often a sign of hydrostatic pressure build-up. Put another way, the dirt around your basement expands thanks to increased precipitation. As the water table beneath your home rises, your basement’s foundation endures excess pressure, and water starts to leak through.

This is where interior drainage tiles, or French drains, come in handy. In the case of cove joint leaks or other leaks like them, these tiles can gather the water that otherwise would have gotten into your basement. From there, they can redirect that water into your sump pump.

The installation process tends to take between one and two days, depending on the size of your home. This process will also require the input and guidance of an experienced contractor. In general, the process will play out as follows:

1. Create open space around the foundation of your basement floor.
2. Install drainage pipes to redirect the water.
3. Fill in the pipes for improved security.
4. Secure drainage fabric.
5. Refill the opened foundation.

You could implement other solutions to reduce the water damage and flooding within your home. However, seeking out a more permanent solution, like interior drainage tiles, has its benefits, including:

• Permanent redirection of floodwater without interior leaks
• Ease of installation in pre-existing or new homes

That doesn’t mean interior drainage tiles are perfect, though. Cons of installation include:

• Cost, depending on the size of your home and the size of the leaks you experience
• Reach, as French drains only remove water from your basement floor without attending to the water that may seep into your foundation or through your walls.

Exterior Drainage Systems

If you’re looking for an effective alternative to interior drainage tiles, why not move outdoors? The precipitation in Virginia sometimes requires the extensive protection external drainage tiles provide.

These tiles, like their interior cousins, work to remove excess water from your basement floor by redirecting it into your sump pump. However, because they’re based around the exterior foundation of your home, these tiles will also help protect your home from leakage through wall cracks.

If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your flooding problem, installing external drainage tiles is the way to go. The installation process typically takes between one and two days and typically plays out as follows:

• Excavate the earth around the home’s foundation to allow for groundwork.
• Install wall membranes to the foundation’s exterior walls.
• Install PVC pipe to connect the flow of water to a sump pump (be it newly installed or older).
• Backfill the soil around the foundation appropriately.

As already hinted, exterior drainage systems and tiles are often more effective waterproofing solutions than their interior cousins. The other benefits of their installation include:

• Relatively inexpensive installation to new homes
• Removal of water from the foundation of your home, ensuring its longevity and overall safety

That said, these systems are not perfect. Cons of installation include:

• Neither easy nor inexpensive to install in older homes
• There is a tendency for the systems to clog if not appropriately secured

The good news is that you don’t have to resign yourself to living in a damp basement. There are drainage systems available to you that will make your life easier once you install them. With that in mind, why not reach out to a local contractor? Before long, you’ll be able to reclaim your basement.

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Basement Drainage FAQs

Does a crack in my basement wall automatically mean I’ll have moisture problems? 

Not necessarily. However, cracks, especially those that are widening or horizontal, can become entry points for moisture over time. Even if they’re not causing issues now, they might in the future. Regularly inspecting and addressing cracks early can prevent larger problems down the road. Contact JES Foundation Repair for an assessment of any cracks or potential vulnerabilities in your basement.

Can I prevent water in my basement by improving my landscape design? 

Yes, ensuring the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation can help prevent water buildup. It’s essential to keep gutters clean and ensure downspouts direct water at least five to ten feet away from the foundation. Proper landscaping can significantly reduce the risk of water intrusion. 

Are there specific times of the year when basements are more prone to water issues? 

Basements can be susceptible to water intrusion during any season. However, periods of heavy rain or melting snow, such as in spring or after severe weather events, can heighten the risk. It’s also worth monitoring during prolonged rainy periods or rapid snowmelt. 

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.