Internal French Drains
Internal French Drain should be used if you cannot keep water from seeping into your basement, since it can involve some extensive work within your living space.
A channel is cut around the perimeter of the basement floor. The footer is cleaned off to prevent clogging and weep holes are drilled into each cell in each block. This will allow the water to excape the wall and go into the system. Perforated pipe and gravel is laid beside the footer . The perforated pipe and stone field then directs the water to a collection tank that is flush with the floor and a sump pump carries it out to a downspout, storm drain, or any option that is acceptable to our standards.
Mira drain is then laid on the footer and up against the wall to guide the water out of the weep holes into the pipe. The channel concrete is replaced only leaving the mira drain slightly exposed to allow any water that may perspire from the wall to make its way into the system. A vapor barrier is then laid over the gravel and the mira drain, this will keep the concrete from clogging the drain. Concrete is then replaced flush with the existing floor.
Mira drain is then laid on the footer and up against the wall to guide the water out of the weep holes into the pipe. The channel concrete is replaced only leaving the mira drain slightly exposed to allow any water that may perspire from the wall to make its way into the system. A vapor barrier is then laid over the gravel and the mira drain, this will keep the concrete from clogging the drain. Concrete is then replaced flush with the existing floor.
External French Drains An External French Drain usually consists of a trench, one or two perforated pipes surrounded by gravel, (depending upon the severity of the problem), and covered with gravel then fabric for further filtration of sediment. In addition to their primary function of directing water away from your home, exterior French drains are also environmentally proactive as they can lead to a dry well, a structure that returns excess water to the supply of groundwater, or to a leach pit which can disperse the water back into the soil evenly without creating pooling.
The advantages of an External French drain system are: • Cost efficient
• Generally low maintenance
• Can be aesthetically pleasing
Foundation Sealing Foundation Sealing starts with exposing the entire problem area of the home, down to the footer. Next, the wall is pressure washed. Following pressure washing, we will point and parge (if needed) the wall from grade level to the footer. After the parging process we coat the wall with foundation tar then a membrane goes over the tar for added protection. Typically when foundation sealing is done, there is a external french drain places next to the home to guide water away from the structure. View the section above to get a better idea of an external french drain.
Downspout Drains Downspout drainage is a very common problem for water making its way into a structure. Guiding the water to a street, or area away from the structure is the objective. In some cases a leach pit may be needed if there is not a proper exit for the water.
Here is an example of a complex downspout drain in a tight area.
Our Other Waterproofing Solutions: Humidex Dehumidification System
Yard Grading and Excavation
Grate Drains
Earth Sponge
Leach Pits