The basement is highly beneficial for any house since it adds more space. And the drainage system is a must for your basement because heavy rains and floods can damage the appliances you have stored. There are many kinds of drainage systems, so it might be tricky to choose the most suitable option for your basement. Today, we will be talking about the French drain, which might be one of your considerations. Can you finish a basement with a French drain? Yes, of course. Here, we have explained all the important factors you need to know about the French drain. So, join the discussion!
Why Do You Need A French Drain For The Basement?
French drain has the ability to discard gathered moisture from your basement. It is a shallow trench, so it can be sent into the pipe that leads to the sump. The main elements of the French drain are perforated pipe, a sump pump and gravel. A particular path is created for water by French drains. So, water has no chance of accumulating in your basement or yard.
It is even possible to connect your French drain to the sewer system in your town. Accordingly, you can save your stuff from flooding if you install a French drain properly.
It is okay to use French drains for any other outdoor project apart from basements.
Can You Finish A Basement With A French Drain?
Yes, it is possible to install your French drain as you finish the basement. In fact, it can be a bit difficult to do after the house is fully built. Thus, it would be better to install the French drain when you finish the basement. Basically, the drain is laid outdoors, so your basement will remain dry. If you install a French drain, water has a specific path to flow.
In case you hope to install the French drain by yourself, you are reminded that you should have some set of skills, especially construction skills. Thus, you are advised to call a professional to get this job done. And also, the cost of installing can vary significantly according to the structure of your yard and basement. But the installation process is not complicated.
Actually, the French drain is not considered a standard method for houses, but most people tend to use it due to its effectiveness.
How To Install A French Drain?
Here are the instructions you should follow to install a French drain in your basement.
- First of all, you have to create a path for your drainage system. Remember that the pipes should be installed alongside your walls.
- Secondly, the basement floor should be dug using a jackhammer to create a path. The depth of the path should be 18 inches, while the width should be 8 inches.
- Next, you have to level the trench. There should be a downward angle so the water can flow quickly.
- Then the pipe needs to be put into your trench. Make sure to keep the perforations downward.
- Now the pipes should be connected to your sump.
- After that, you have to use some drainage gravel because they help water to flow through their holes. So lay a coat of drainage gravel in your trench. But do not pack them very tightly.
- As the last step, you can seal your trench. Make sure to use cement that dries quickly.
How To Determine If My French Drain Is Safe?
Here we will explain certain circumstances to determine the safety condition of your French drain before finishing the basement. Then you can guess it is ready for finishing.
Make sure to check how often you need the drain before finishing the basement. If you want to use it often, there will be some issues before you finish the basement. Thus, you should be aware of the places where the water flows always. Then, make necessary changes by adjusting gutters and slopes. It would always be better to reroute water for a few days until you finish the basement. Moreover, you should check whether the radon gas is released into your basement.
Can A French Drain Leak Radon Gas?
Radon gas leakage is an important matter to discuss when installing a French drain. From this project, some access points are created for radon gas. So it can enter the house. This gas is harmful to breathing because it can damage human lungs. Thus, you have to pay attention to this issue when installing a French drain.
What you can do is install a system that collects this gas. You can purchase some appliances for this job and place them where you are going to install the French drain.
How Long Does French Drain Last?
The lifespan of the French drain is another key factor to consider. In fact, a French drain can last for up to 40 years. Thus, installing a French drain is advantageous because you do not have to do any modifications or repairs for a long period of time. And also, the reselling value of the house will be increased.
In case your drain was installed 40 years ago, it might be in poor condition. Thus, you should repair or re-install the drain. If you neglect to repair your drain, it can be harmful to your good health because some drains release radon gas.
Tips To Prevent Flooding In The Basement
Apart from a proper drainage system, these tips will be helpful to you in saving your basement from flooding.
- It is vital to put things same level in your front and backyard to prevent water flowing.
- Whenever you notice a crack in your foundation, fix it immediately because water can easily flow to the basement through cracks.
- You should keep checking your sump pump if the rainy season is coming. If there is any damage, fix it without missing.
- You can install window well covers in your basement to get rid of standing water. If there is discoloration on the walls, it indicates that the water is already seeping.
- Maintain your sewage system properly because it is the place all the water remains.
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VIDEO CREDITS: Jeff Nordstedt YouTube Channel
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