Drain Tile
Exterior Drain Tile Systems in Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, and neighboring areas!
Pros and cons of an Exterior Drain Tile Systems in Idaho and Washington
One way of basement waterproofing that many contractors will suggest for waterproofing a basement is to install a french drain system along the outside perimeter of your home.
To install an exterior French drain, the contractor will take the following steps:
- First, the entire perimeter of your home must be cleared. Gardens, steps, porches, etc., must be removed before the work can begin.
- Next, the contractor will dig out the perimeter of your home. Excavated dirt will be heaped around the house.
- The drain will be laid in a bed of stone along the bottom. The stone, and possibly a layer of filter fabric, are there to protect the drain from clogging.
- The excavated soil will be “backfilled” on top of the system. In a year, this soil will settle, and the contractor will need to return to fill in more soil.
Cutaway of a French drain system installed on the outside of the concrete footing of a home foundation. A discharge line would also be included to send the water away from your home.
Shown in this photo are the French drain itself (filled with water), a fill of stone, and the backfilled soil.
At Premier Basement Systems, we do not recommend this type of drainage system installed in your home. Instead, we suggest installing an interior basement drain along the inside perimeter of your basement or crawl space. It is far more reliable and less susceptible to the elements. Anyone who suggests using an exterior drainage system is just uneducated. For a free waterproofing quote in the Idaho and Washington area, call or e-mail us today!
Preparing for the Installation of an Exterior French Drain
What steps are required for yard preparation?
You will need to remove or clear the following:
- Trees
- Shrubberies
- Patios
- Gardens
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Porches
- Steps
- ..And More
You can anticipate contractors generating substantial mounds of excavated soil throughout your property, resulting in a considerable mess.
Additionally, be prepared for a significant financial investment, with installation costs ranging from $15,000 to $20,000. Moreover, the installation timeline is at least twice as long compared to opting for an interior system.
Choosing Wisely:
The Pitfalls of Exterior French Drain Systems for Basement Waterproofing
Exterior French drain systems have been utilized for home installations since the 1920s. However, if they truly stood out as the optimal solution for basement drying, Premier Basement Systems would incorporate them into their offerings.
Opting for an exterior French drain or footing drain along the outside of your home is a strategy destined for failure. Installing a drainage system several feet beneath the ground, even within a gravel bed, is prone to eventual clogging from dirt, roots, and debris.
Occasionally, a contractor may attempt to address this issue by placing a layer of filter fabric around the drain. However, in such instances, rather than preventing the drain from clogging, the filter fabric itself becomes obstructed, preventing water from entering the pipe.
Moreover, it often proves inadequate in addressing water accumulation beneath your basement floor, necessitating the presence of an interior sump pump.
Unveiling the Pitfalls:
Clogged French Drain System
in Oldtown, ID and WA
Discover the challenges faced by a clogged French drain system installed around a residence in Oldtown, ID, and WA. Explore the consequences and the essential steps needed to address this common issue for a dry and resilient home foundation.
In some cases, contractors connect exterior drains to the interior sump pump, a setup prone to clogging. The consequence? When the drainage system becomes clogged, excavation becomes unavoidable, and the process must restart. Who would want to go through that again?
At Premier Basement Systems, we can help you find a permanent waterproofing solution for your home — one that includes a written, transferable warranty! For a FREE waterproofing quote, call or e-mail us today!
We service the Idaho and Washington area, including Medical Lake, Nine Mile Falls, Greenacres, Newport, Otis Orchards, Priest River, Colbert and nearby.