Footing drain options

Post Reply | Watch this Post

When groundwater is a problem builders usually install sumps and pumps because they are cost effective and efficient. But you may be able to install a drain outlet elsewhere on your property to carry away the ground water, and eliminate the pump, if the terrain of your lot is suitable and you are so inclined.

You need to have land with enough slope so that somewhere on your property the ground is a couple feet lower than your basement floor. A trench is dug from the foundation to the ground low point, and a pipe connecting to the perimeter drain pipe is installed and run to the lowpoint, where it daylights on the ground surface. Thus, gravity will drain your footing, and gravity is quiet and never loses power.

There are a lot of "what ifs" to answer before digging. Depending on the perimeter drain pipe layout you may have to connect at the pit (extra work under the basement floor). Check with town planning dept about the low point, they may have issues, like if its at your neighbors property line or if it discharges across a town sidewalk etc. If there is a municipal storm drain in the street you may be able to connect to a catch basin, but that gets pricey and theres usually red tape with the town.