Just about every house in the Northeast has a basement, and just about all of those basements suffer from occasional leaks. It’s important to provide adequate drainage solutions before these leaks escalate into flooding. Some of the most effective drainage solutions available today utilize French drains in Boston MA, yet most homeowners have no idea what a French drain is or how it works.
What is a French Drain?
A French drain system is an interior basement drainage solution that relieves hydrostatic pressure due to high water tables and poor exterior drainage around foundations. This type of system requires professional installation and occasional maintenance but can provide an efficient solution for years or even decades once installed.
How Does it Work?
The system is installed into the floor of the basement along the perimeter of the foundation. It consists of a bed of washed stone and PVC perforated pipes designed to route water to a sump pump. The stone bed allows a clear path for any water to flow directly to the pump, where it can then be safely removed from the basement.
The system also includes a membrane designed to channel any future foundation leaks into the perimeter drain. This helps avoid further foundation damage.
What Type of Maintenance is Required?
French Drains in Boston MA are designed to include inspection caps. These caps allow access to the inside of the pipes, making the occasional clean out required for routine maintenance simple and quick.
The only other element that may require occasional maintenance and repairs is the sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to discharge water caught in the perimeter drain through the basement wall and outside of the home. The discharge pipe can either be located above ground, or it can be routed into a dry well.
What are the Benefits?
A French drain can eliminate a good deal of landscape and driveway damage and can be installed during any season. They allow for simple maintenance and are protected from clogging and crushing, and provide a practical solution for future drainage issues as well as current problems. Browse our website to learn more about French drains and other basement waterproofing solutions.
