Without a doubt the best approach is to excavate the exterior and install drainage at the footer, waterproofing the exterior basement wall, and backfilling with drain gravel. This prevents water from ever entering the walls and directs water to an exterior drain or sump. Interior solutions may be less expensive, but they only capture water AFTER it has penetrated the walls. Water runs through the block or even penetrates to the interior, then the interior drain intercepts the water keeping it from running across the floors and flooding.

You want guarantee, do the exterior. Water flows through the drain rock rather than the walls. This also can also reduce pressure on the walls from soil expansion and contraction, and is the best way to keep dry floors and walls.

Hi jnybegug, This is just an addition to tomh's most excellent comment.

If you'd like to see what one of our regulars went through a while back in solving an interior basement problem, you have got to see this thread. Take your time; it stretches for several pages. Hopefully his pictures are still there.

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Basement_and_Attics/2584/2584/flat-page1.html

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

I like the outside method. It will relieve the water table pressure against the foundation better. If you've got land lower than the basementr floor outdoors run the drain to the low point. Otherwise pipe to a sump pump inside. C.

I have a similar situation but was told that the exterior approach shouldn't be used in a house with a stone foundation and gravel footer because the foundation itself could be damaged. Moreover, what sort of person would be hired to do exterior work such as this? So far everybody I've asked for an estimate recommends an internal French Drain (or its variants).

TIA!

Hi there Cellarwater! Welcome back!, have you been away? (Or have you been on regularly--and I've just been spacey!?)

I haven't been able to frequent the BBS as often as I like lately. Sometimes things just get too busy!

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

A lot of guys like the interior method. I'ts easier. On the feildstone use the inside method, Concrete walls act as a dam, outside drains give the water a place to go. C.

K2 I come and go sometimes I get real busy with threads and other times not so busy. Good to answer a thread once in a while though.... Thanks for the hello! C.