Media, PA French Drains

Media FRENCH DRAIN & BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

There are basically two ways to waterproof a house or building. The first and most common way is from the inside using a French Drain (hydrostatic pressure relief system). This way is usually more affordable than doing it from the outside. Waterproofing One has been successfully installed french drains for customers since before 1990 in all areas of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

The other way to waterproof a house is from the outside by sealing the exterior walls below ground level by installing a membrane or coating. This is done by digging down around the foundation walls and sealing the exterior walls from the outside. The entire wall all the way down to below the floor has to be covered or sealed from the outside in order for this type of waterproofing system to be effective.

When a house is built, a big hole is dug out in order to build the foundation below ground level. The soil being disturbed or removed is called “hard pan”. This soil has been there for millions of years and is naturally compacted. After the footers, foundation walls and concrete floor are constructed the basement is then backfilled using the same soil. The soil filled back is called “soft pan”. This soft pan soil around the house allows moisture or water to flow under and around the foundation slab and walls more easily. This is called a “false water table”. The false water table allows water to fill up around the basement causing what is called hydrostatic pressure until eventually the masonry fails and water starts leaking into the basement. In addition, the water building up under the concrete slab and around the foundation walls (hydrostatic pressure) will cause the soft pan soil to settle. This settlement causes voids under the foundation (footers), concrete floor and walls. If you have ever noticed cracks in the basement floor or cracks on your basement walls, it’s most likely caused by settlement. Settlement is caused by the soft pan soil sinking in the false water table.

In 1860 a gentleman named Henry French wrote a book called “Farm Drainage”. In this book he described the way to waterproof a basement or “cellar” as he called it. Today the same basic principles to waterproofing apply. The most common way to waterproof a basement is from the inside using a French Drain in the basement. The French Drain of today has been improved by the use of modern materials together with slight modifications in design but is reminiscent of the original design. These modifications make the drain work more efficiently and last longer. The process of installing modern French Drain is as follows: