How Do You Build Basement Cement French Drains?
Basement french drain systems are installed to divert rain and ground water away from house foundations. There are two types of french drain systems: internal and external drain systems. Internal drainage systems are more efficient and much more widely used than their external brethren. You can install an internal basement french drain system yourself by following a few guidelines. Jackhammer down through the cement footer in the basement until you reach dirt. Do this along the entire perimeter of the basement. Lay down a 2-inch thick bed of gravel in the ditch you dug with the jackhammer, and place the corrugated piping on top of that. Install a sump pump connecting the corrugated piping to an outdoor drainage system by dropping the “foot” of the pump into the piping. Prime the pump by adding water to the system until no air remains in the lines. Water is collected from the basement wall floor joint and pumped out. Lay another 2 inches of gravel on top of the drain pipe and cover the
