French Drain in backyard necessary?

I’ve been having some leakage in the backyard of my house – when there are heavy rains, the ground gets sodden, and the basement wall develops a number of  leaks.  A waterproofing contractor recently recommended not only that I dig out the soil and waterproof the exterior of the wall, but that I also put in a French drain that will funnel all of the moisture into the sewer drain.  It’s pretty expensive- is this a necessary repair?

GBanner

in Masonry 13 years and 6 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

Silvermax | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4917 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4906 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "29536"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "Silvermax"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "Silvermax"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(27) "MarthaCameron@earthlink.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/silvermax/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2009-04-21 17:51:30"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "Silvermax"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(29536)
  ["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 have a trench drain — which I think is the same as or similar to a french drain. Runs the width of the house outside the back wall. Channels water directly into the sewer line. It seems to me that if you’re having the back wall excavated in order to make necessary repairs and waterproofing, installing a trench drain would be relatively easy at that point, because the excavation would already be done. So do it — it’s really really worth it knowing that you’re keeping the water away from your foundation.

anonymous | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4916 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4915 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3470"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "anonymous"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "anonymous"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "deviatar@alm.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-09-27 13:11:05"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "loser spammer"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3470)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

french drains are on the outside.  I need something similar done at my house.  Would you be willing to share the value of your estimate?

eman134 | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4912 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4918 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177006"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaRrlDjFBcYAeDJ9.lwOTJ9pQC9nsT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "errol832000@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/eman134/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177006)
  ["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)
}

when it comes to water infiltratration, you can never be too redundant…a french drain is a great idea

gowanawana | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179489"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "gowanawana"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtlNNSEgl/qr12w3E8FtwTEfp/iXEg0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "gowanawana"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "mtsekenis@schools.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/gowanawana/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:41:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "gowanawana"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179489)
  ["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 having the same issues you are having and we are currently using a contractor to excavate, repair the exterior wall and waterproof it. A french drain in the basement was our first option but my researchyielded results indicating that the only apropriate way to waterproof a house is from the outside. If you’re digging and waterproofing a french drain seems redudant.

Raj | 13 years and 6 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "7078"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "Raj"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "Raj"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "athrey21@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(45) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/raj/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-02-04 08:35:01"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "Raj"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(7078)
  ["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)
}

 yea, you should get done this repair work before winter,before you get more damage to your foundation wall. this repair work is necessary. we have done so many job like to your post, we may have different idea, and inexpensive way to do the work. you may give us a call for a free estimates at 212-470-3952. Thanks.