Mostly homeowners are not very well informed about the range of basement drainage systems. This is good reason why it is very important for you to hire professionals. Draintony knows how to always give you the guidance that you need; so you can make the right choice for your basement; as well as ensure you that all of the components are working the way they were planned. A completely dry basement is crucial for a healthy home. Don’t allow moisture build up in your basement; it can lead to serious issues that can affect the integrity of your property.
Moreover, without floor drains, grates and many other aspects of the basement drainage systems; water from your water heater, plumbing, washing machine and more can arise in the basement. And when this happens, you will experience different types of damage. Keep your basement in a dry condition and ensure the health of your family with interior basement drain systems from Draintony.
You can take steps to waterproof your basement without making any major renovations. Landscaping, dehumidifiers and waterproof paint are most frequent practices that can help. But if you have tried everything, and nothing is getting the job done; you then have to install a basement drainage system. Every system works differently in the process of collecting excess groundwater.
These are the most common basement drainage systems options;
Exterior Basement Drainage Systems – French Drain
French drains are a regular choice and can easily be installed on the exterior side of a home. This is done by digging a trench and then installing a pipe under gravel and fabric. Once installed, the French drain will redirect the water away from your foundation, solving all drainage problems and water excess during a heavy rainfall.
A French drain is basically a gutter for groundwater. It is a trench that filled with rocks that carry away water from your house. This trench is placed around the perimeter of your foundation; grabs the water and redirects it somewhere else before it can touch your home. The trench is supposed to be wider than 12 inches; and must be deeper than the floor of the basement in order to be efficient.
Furthermore, the trench is in some measure filled with a layer of gravel; and a perforated PVC pipe is laid around the perimeter of your property. During this process if needed; a waterproofing membrane is placed outside of your foundation.
Interior Basement Drainage Systems – French Drain and Sump Pump
Another option for drying your basement is to install a French drain along the perimeter of your walls inside the house.
Unlike the exterior French drain systems; the interior perimeter drain will not require for you to ruin your landscaping. It will, however, require basement floor digging and creating a trench around the wall.
There are numeral of systems available; from the traditional French drain that uses perforated pipe for collecting and channeling the water; to systems that can cost more but are installed quickly. The essential is to move the water that is collecting along the walls to a low spot (the sump pump); where it will be pumped outside.
Sump pumps come in more than a few different styles; including pedestal, submersible, battery and water operated backup. The most common sump pumps are pedestal and submersible pumps.
Either option you choose, it will be installed below your basement floor. The submersible pumps are entirely submerged in the basin; while the pedestal pumps sit partly above the water line.
Floor Drain
As a part of the basement drainage systems, floor drain is to be found in the lower spot in the floor. And any liquid that will get on the floor is repeatedly directed in the drain by the floor’s slope. The drain will empty in main sanitary drain and rarely sometimes in sewer ejector pump.
Most of the floor drains are located in the basement. Usually, the basement has cement floor and a floor drain incorporated into it. It is very important to keep the floor drain clean. By flushing the drain with water from time to time and also using a drain cleaner you can eliminate any kind of damage.
Also in winter, it is very important that the floor drain will not freeze. If this happens it can lead to broken plumbing and a major repair issue. So keeping the basement warm in cold weather is crucial in order to avoid an expensive repair bill.
In conclusion, floor drains are useful for preventing basement flood; but they do not prevent the moisture from entering in the first place. They will only collect and also remove water that has already made its way inside.
If you are preparing to renovate or finish your basement; then incorporate waterproofing as a part of your plan. And good place to start is Draintony. Our team has many years of experience in converting old basements in bright and dry places. We have created comfortable master suites, kids and family rooms, rooms for guests, and bathrooms in places others considerate not possible to do. If you like to discuss about your interior basement drainage system renovation, don’t hesitate to contact us.