- The value of the property.
- Installing a French drain will increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell it in future.
- On the other hand, a substandard French drain may spell disaster for neighboring residences.
Moreover, Are French drains worth it? French drains help prevent flooding and reduce the risk of long-term water damage to your property. They can last between 30 and 40 years. They’re cost-effective. French drains can be aesthetically pleasing as they are usually covered with small rocks, plants and sometimes even decorative grates.
When should you not use a French drain?
They Don’t Work in All Types of Soil Most importantly, French drains won’t work in all parts of the country. There are three types of dirt possible on your property: loose dirt made of sand particles, average dirt made of loam (a mixture of sand, silt, and clay), and compacted, heavy dirt made of clay particles.
Likewise, How long does a French drain last? When enough sand, clay or silt gets past the fabric, the gravel spaces fill and the effectiveness of the french drain ends. This is why most experts state that a French drain is not a long-term solution to a drainage problem: You have to dig it up and reinstall it every eight to 10 years.
Does a French drain work in the winter? When placed below the frost line, your French drain will work in all seasons and will not suffer from issues such as frozen obstructions caused by either the freezing or thawing cycles. If you are in need of French drain services, consider Brothers Plumbing, a leader in the industry.
What can I do instead of a French drain?
5 Alternatives to French Drains
- Sump Pumps.
- Dry Wells. A dry well can add drainage without the need for an electrical or sewage line connection. …
- Stairs, Steps or a Ramp. …
- Landscaping. …
- Valleys or Ditches. …
- Gutters.
Will a French drain prevent water in basement?
An interior French drain doesn’t prevent water from entering your basement. Rather, it catches water that seeps inside and channels it by gravity to a sump pump that sends the water back outside or into a drain line.
Do you need a sump pump if you have French drains?
If you have an excess of water in your basement, you may want to consider both a sump pump and French drain to waterproof your home. The French drain channels the water to the sump pump pit, which pumps the water out of the home much quicker that a pipe alone would do.
Do you need both sump pump and French drain?
However, it’s often best to use them together. These two solutions pair well together because the French drain collects the water and then channels it to the sump pump so it can be removed from the home, ensuring that your basement stays dry.
Is there an alternative to a sump pump?
Some potential alternatives to a sump pump are french drains, ground grading and gutters to improve drainage away from the home.
How long will a French drain last?
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.
What’s better than a sump pump?
If a sump pump fails or is overwhelmed, the basement will flood; they typically have battery back-up pump systems alongside. An ejector pump often looks just like a sump pump and is also installed in a basin in the floor.
What is better than a sump pump?
Sump pumps are needed for basements and crawl spaces in areas where flooding is likely, due to a high water table or heavy rainfall. An ejector pump is necessary if you have water-consuming appliances or bathrooms installed in the basement or lower level of your home.
Should I avoid buying a house with a sump pump?
Sump Pumps are a Great Tool for Your Home Investing in a sump pump can save you a fortune on potential damages. Having a home that already comes with a sump pump is even better as buying one and installing it yourself can run a few hundred dollars.
