What are the Different Types of French Drains?
There are many different types of French drains that The Basement Transformer offers for homeowners. Each one is designed to address a unique issue or problem that a homeowner may be facing. They all work slightly differently, but serve the same purpose, which is to keep water out of your home.
A French drain is actually the name for the space between a basement wall and the concrete slab that allows for water to drain to the outside of the home, rather than onto the floor.
The drainage systems we offer use a wall flange that allows water to enter the drain and collects the water off the walls, funneling it away from the foundation.
Listed below are just some of the drainage systems that we can install for you:
1. WaterGuard Below Floor Drain
For a typical basement, we recommend our WaterGuard Below Floor Drain as the ideal waterproof solution. This system is designed specifically to be installed below the floor slab, resting on top of the foundation footing. This method of installation ensures that the drain is out of the “mud zone”- away from the dirt and rocks so it cannot become clogged. Any concrete that is jackhammered away by our crew is then poured and replaced, leaving everything looking spotless with minimal invasion. Our WaterGuard product helps your basement to always remain dry by collecting any water that seeps through the basement walls and transports it back to your sump pump.
2. DryTrak Baseboard Drain Pipe
If you have a monolithic foundation, a foundation where the floor & the footing are one piece, or a very thick floor, this drainage system may be right for you. Jackhammering can be extremely difficult in homes with foundations such as these, so we use this drainage system to prevent any issues from arising. This system is unique because it installs directly on top of the floor, eliminating the need for any labor-intensive jackhammering. It is permanently applied to the floor with epoxy and has a small opening at the top to collect any water that comes in and drains it to your sump pump.
3. FlowGuard Thin Floor Drain System
When concrete floors are too thin to have a drain installed on top of the footer, which would cause the drain to stick out past the concrete slab, we use the FlowGuard Thin Floor Drain System. This drainage system is designed to sit in front of the footing in a bed of drainage stone, and includes a wall flange that extends up onto the wall. This wall flange helps to direct any water leaking into your basement directly back into the sump pump system. The concrete flooring is restored once the installation is complete.
4. WaterGuard IOS Iron Ochre Perimeter Drain
Iron bacteria can be very unsightly and a nuisance in your water. It creates a gelatinous, rust-colored substance known as iron ochre, when it’s present in your water. It smells awful, stains whatever it comes in contact with, and can clog your drainage system. To deal with this issue, we use a modified version of our WaterGuard product, known as the WaterGuard IOS Iron Ochre Perimeter Drain. It features an extra-wide drainage channel and larger drainage openings with a removable lid, that allows for easy maintenance in the event it does get clogged. This system will protect your basement against leaks and the nasty smell of iron ochre.
If you’re experiencing issues with water in your basement, contact us today for a free estimate! Together we will find a solution that works best for you and your home.
