If you’re looking for ideas for home improvement, a french drain basement is a good place to start. A lot of people make the mistake of neglecting their basement, not knowing that it is an integral part of the house that should be kept well-maintained at all times. One of the things that plague most basements is flooding; a nasty problem that needs to be prevented at all costs. This is where a french drain comes into the picture.

French Drain Basement: Definition and Purpose

A french drain basement basically points to a basement with a french drain. Now what is a french drain, you ask? This type of drain is also known as rubble drain, blind drain, land drain, and perimeter drain. It is a trench that is covered with gravel so that it redirects both groundwater and surface water away from the basement to prevent flooding. A french drain may have perforated hollow pipes at the bottom to vent water right away.

Aside from keeping water away, a french drain also alternatively distributes water. This technique can be implemented in a french drain basement through the use of a septic drain field built at the septic tank sewage system’s outlet. French drains may also be installed in retaining walls in order to allay pressure from groundwater.

No matter what you’re going to use it for and even though the cost of french drain may be a bit more than you’re willing to spend, a french drain for your basement, also one of the most effective yard drainage solutions, is a good idea.

French Drain Basement: Things to Consider

You may opt to build a french drain basement yourself. Of course, you can’t just install a french drain right there and then. There are a number of things you need to take into consideration, specifically the foundation.

Generally, french drains are installed in two ways: they may be buried externally around the foundation wall, or they may be installed inside the basement through the basement floor. You can save on french drain cost by working on your own.

Usually, an external french drain is installed prior to the building of the basement. It is placed on the bottom of the excavated area with a layer of stone secured on top. It is recommended to use a filter fabric on top of the stone layer to prevent small particles from going in. After installation, backfilling is done and the french drain basement is left to function on its own. If clogging takes place, the necessary repairs should be done without delay.

If, on the other hand, your basement is already standing, an internal french drain would prove a wiser choice. This is the common choice of those who are undertaking basement finishing. To install, the area is jack hammered, the cement removed, a layer of stone laid down, and the french drain laid on top. A sump pump is often necessary to back up a french drain basement and keep water away from the area.

Because professional help can be expensive, you may be tempted to go with a DIY french drain. However, if you feel unprepared for the task, it is always advisable to call a professional and avoid committing irreversible mistakes in constructing a french drain basement.

If you require more information, please visit the following sites that are authorities in this topic…

yard drainage solutions
basement insulation. office of building technology state and …