Basement Floor Drains
Often, hydrostatic pressure in the soil outside exerts constant tension on your basement walls because they go above and beyond to keep water out during and after heavy rains, floods, and when the water table has risen.
You should install a basement drainage system to deal with excess water if your basement leaks at some point. For keeping your basement dry, you have a variety of drainage options, each of which is intended to solve an underlying water problem of its own.
Which basement drainage type is best for you?
Many basement drainage systems exist, each involving a different installation and placement process.
Exterior Drain Tiles
Usually installed outside your home in the soil around your foundation, an exterior drain tile system is also referred to as a French drain or a weeping tile. Water can be diverted from rainwater and runoff by installing these external drainage systems at shallow depths or installed at the footings to drain excess groundwater. Perforated pipes covered with gravel are often the cheapest DIY solutions.
Interior French Drains
Your home’s interior is drained using a French drain system installed in trenches around your basement’s perimeter. Particularly when coupled with a sump pump, they effectively remove heavy water seepage. Known as baseboard drains, above-grade drains are available for monolithic foundations. Their effectiveness is lower.
Floor Drains
Grates are often incorporated into basement floors to collect water from above and be rerouted in pipes through your concrete slab to a sump pump. There will need to be a slope at the bottom of the drains, but this means they can handle any water that collects in your basements, such as from a water heater leak or a dehumidifier.
Sump Pumps
Pumps designed to drain water from basements are called sump pumps, which are motorized drainage systems that activate when water is detected. Pumps transfer water outside your home from a basement. Drainage systems are frequently used alongside pumps to accomplish this. Submersible and pedestal sump pumps are the two most common types.
Submersible Sump Pumps
Your basement floor has a large ditch where your submersible sump pump is located. Floats monitor water levels and activate an underwater motor to pump water out when necessary. You won’t likely be able to hear the engine from other groups of your home because the motor is submerged.
Pedestal Sump Pumps
To install a pedestal sump pump, it is still necessary to dig a ditch in your foundation floor. However, the hole needs to be much smaller and requires far less excavation because the motor is above the trough. The engines are not submerged, creating more noise and less efficiency than submersible options.
What do you need to do to prevent water intrusion?
The drainage system is often the best solution for a wet basement, but it is often reactive. Below are some proactive fixes that can assist in preventing water intrusion through your foundation and treating the actual cause of water intrusion.
1. Remove foundation plants.
Small gardens are often planted around the base of houses for aesthetic reasons. The roots of plants cause the soil to retain more water than usual, which can increase the water level in your basement. Your foundation wall should be cleared of plants to minimize moisture being held against your exterior walls.
2. Prepare Your Yard for Rain.
At least 10 feet away from your foundation, you should grade your lawn at a rate of 12″ per foot. This will naturally divert water away from your home, which will reduce the likelihood of it ever contacting your foundation.
3. Extend or install gutters.
Installation of gutters, downspouts, and gutter extensions is some of the best methods to prevent water intrusion during and after rainfall. In this case, water and runoff will be directed to a part of your yard that is not likely to place additional pressure on your concrete block walls.
How can basement drain systems save your money?
Install basement drain systems can be pricey, so many homeowners look to minimize costs. Basement drain systems are most cost-effective if they are not needed. If your soil is appropriately graded and your gutters and downspouts are correctly installed, you may not need basement waterproofing products. Both solutions can be permanent, and both are inexpensive DIY projects that can help save money on labor costs.
By installing the appropriate drainage system for your situation, you can save money. A drain tile may provide adequate drainage if you do not have a lot of basement flooding. You may also save a lot of excavation money if you avoid installing a French interior drain.
Additionally, installing drainage systems appropriate for your area and soil when you are building will save you a lot of money on labor costs. It is very inexpensive to install an exterior drain when the foundation is pouring, but installing one later will require extensive excavation and more labor.
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FAQs
- What is the purpose of the drain in my basement floor?
It is the basement floor drain’s responsibility to direct any rainwater away from the house and into the sewer system or municipal storm drain.
- Is there a trap for a basement floor drain?
Yes, it does need a P-trap. A trap (water or otherwise) must seal any drain opening that connects to the sanitary sewer system. It must prevent sewer gas from entering the building if it is not present.
- What is the minimum number of floor drains?
The public toilet rooms must have at least one approved floor drain connecting to the sanitary system if there is a combination of three or more water closets or urinals; however, the stall urinals may serve as floor drains if the entire floor can be drained to the urinals.
