French Drain V.S. WaterGuard Below Floor Drain

A French drain, also known as a footing drain, is designed to divert water away from your home. Installing an exterior French drain can be challenging and costly, often requiring the removal of landscaping, decks, and walkways to accommodate the drainpipe. In contrast, an interior drainage system offers a simpler and more economical solution for waterproofing your basement.

The WaterGuard Basement Waterproofing System provides a non-clogging alternative to traditional French drains. Our interior drainage system effectively captures water at the primary entry points into the basement: the floor and wall joint.

What is a French drain, and how does it work?

A French drain, also referred to as a perimeter drain, drain tile, weeping tile, or sub-surface drain, is a common solution for waterproofing basements. It consists of a trench containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from the foundation.

Challenges associated with exterior French drains

While French drains can effectively redirect water, they come with several drawbacks:

Difficult Installation: Typically installed post-construction to address basement dampness issues, French drains require digging around the foundation, necessitating the removal of landscaping features like shrubs and flower beds, as well as outdoor structures like walkways, steps, decks, and porches. Additionally, buried utilities such as gas and water lines, sewer pipes, and electrical wires pose potential hazards during excavation.

Clogging: Sediment and debris can obstruct the French drain pipe, leading to water overflow or backup into the basement. Footing drains are prone to becoming packed with soil or invaded by tree roots, requiring costly excavation to clear blockages.

Costly Maintenance: The soil surrounding the foundation may settle post-installation or service, necessitating re-grading. The entire process may need to be repeated approximately every decade.

WaterGuard: The clog-resistant solution

The patented WaterGuard Basement Waterproofing System is engineered to address basement water issues without the risk of soil clogs beneath the floor. Unlike exterior French drains, which are susceptible to clogging in the “mud zone” outside the foundation, the WaterGuard® system is installed in the “clear water zone” above the footing, preventing blockages. Our drainage systems effectively intercept water at your basement's perimeter and safely channel it away to your sump pump system.

Installing WaterGuard® or any of our other interior drainage systems is your primary defense in maintaining a dry and clean basement. Contact us today to learn more about our WaterGuard system.