French drain with no footing?

Hi, I have had half a dozen contractors/waterproofers in to offer estimates for an interior French drain w sump pump. I have a semi-detached stone and mortar foundation WITH NO FOOTING. 3′ below grade, 4′ above. Some of the contractors say I need underpinning or something comparable. Others say not a problem, never has been a problem. Has anyone had experience with this? Mid Atlantic? Quality 1st? Thanks.

workisfun

in Foundation 9 years and 5 months ago

6

Please log in, in order to post replies!

6 replies

Newest Oldest

workisfun | 9 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4941 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4929 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Almost decided on Mid Atlantic. They will also install concrete ledges (not footings) to secure the soil. Quality 1st had best price by far, but something didn’t feel right. When installed, I will update the thread. Good luck.

bklyn658 | 9 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4940 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4939 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191873"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "bklyn658"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BFbcdnvNqL8..LnKNY6Fy7acvPWUrE."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "bklyn658"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "amryen@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-22 17:16:47"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191873)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

What did you end up doing? I’ve been getting estimates for the same type of work (along the back wall only). It’d be great to know what others have experienced / what has worked and what has not.

workisfun | 9 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4929 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4936 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$hnv.j/crhn7RG.nsGO1eX.Q65deVjX8hSzKwgFlJuR8WiCptOt2gW"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Mid Atlantic, Quality 1st, AM Shield, etc. There are many, and all of them have different materials, methods, garuantees, and prices.

kvolandes1 | 9 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4941 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4942 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177535"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "kvolandes1"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B9imymVxlfqRempSDTy9VPC29nb/x7."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "kvolandes1"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "kvolandes@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(52) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/kvolandes1/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "kvolandes1"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177535)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I am in need of installing an interior French drain. Do you have any recommendations for contractors? Thanks. Kenny 917-699-4558

BSDOD | 9 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4936 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4940 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "81246"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$.OsmxvjaeA121WsOWmpAqePEevkc22uJ0FZbVpsdYeM3BY4gIhuu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "apoprilo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/apop/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-10-21 00:43:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Apop"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(81246)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I think they dig 12 – 18″ down for the trench. I’m not an expert, but I think the foundations go down a few more feet below grade than the trench.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4929 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4943 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

So, a typical French drain entails digging a trench, putting in a 4′ or 6″ drain pipe (if it’s not a lot of water, 6″ would be overkill) and refilling it with gravel. I don’t see how digging a trench that deep (in sections) would compromise the stone wall. I had a contractor propose the exact thing in a very wet basement in the country.