French Drains

French drain is an ancient tehnique in which a ditch is excavated around a building which is then filled with gravel, as a means to redirect surface and ground water away from penetrating or damaging building foundations.

To create a French drainage system we first excavate around the perimeter of the building all the way to the footing of the foundation.  We then wash the foundation and inspect it for imperfections.  Any and all imperfections and cracks are then filled with cement (Shockcrete).  Once this product has cured, we then spray on a protective coating of Elastomeric membrane which creates an impenetrable rubber barrier.  Again once this product has cured a dimpled plastic Membrane called Delta-MF fully seals the foundation.  We then lay out Weeping tile (perforated plastic pipe) around the building, coated with a Geotextile (used to prevent migration of the drainage material as well as preventing dirt and roots from entering and clogging the drainage pipe) over it and then cover both with 2 feet of crushed gravel (3/4 inch).  Finally, the gravel is covered with earth all the way to the previous ground level, and lastly it is covered with sod or grass.

The most common cause of basement water is unmanaged rain runoff. Rainwater from the roof flows down through the soil and collects at the bottom of the original foundation excavation. While the weight of the saturated earth alone can break a wall, the situation worsens when the water freezes and exerts a lateral force that can cause cracks and buckling...

Exterior draintiles around the perimeter of the foundation footing are the first line of defense against groundwater. The simplest retrofit solution is to install a sump pump that carries the water away from the house.

Exterior French Drains

Step 1: Excavate down to the footing around the perimeter

Step 2: Scrape and wire-brush the wall clean

Step 3: Clean the wall with a pressure washer to remove all               loose material

Step 4: Seal Cracks with injection If necessary & fill in all joints
              with hydraulic cement for a smooth surface to apply
              membrane

Step 5: Apply elastomeric membrane
              (Cantexcoating/rubberized membrane)

Step 6: Apply wall drain and protection board (Delta MS)

Step 7: Lay down the French Drain (Weeping Tile) wrapped
              with a geo-textile protection cloth.

Step 8: Connect French Drain to existing drain OR create sump               pump pit

Step 9: Connect Window well and cleanout pipes

Step 10: Cover French Drain with 24” of ¾ clean crush gravel                 for maximum drainage and filtration.

Step 11: Backfill & grade the earth around perimeter

Step 12: Remove all excess earth & clean work area

Interior French Drains

Step 1: Breakout the floor approximately 12” deep and 12”               wide around the perimeter.

Step 2: Cleanout Trench with proper slope to the sump pump               pit

Step 3: Create Sump Pump pit

Step 4: Apply wall drain and protection board (Delta MS)

Step 5: Lay down the French Drain (Weeping Tile) wrapped               with a geo-textile protection cloth.

Step 6: Connect French Drain to existing drain OR create sump              pump pit

Step 7: Cover the drain with 3/4 “ gravel.

Step 8: Re-cement floor

Step 9: Remove all excess earth & clean work area