Exterior Drainage

[Erol Kartal]

Originally Posted by mcyr

It appears all the exterior ground water is being introduced to your pump at the interior.

This is why I originally thought of adding french drains at the rear of the home that would collect some of the water before it reached crawl space drainage tile. You had indicated french drains may be OK except they would freeze in the winter. But then again, drainage is not an issue in freezing weather. With that said, wouldn't a french drainage system in the yard be more effective (and less expensive) than a regrade with swales?

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

By the power vested in me by the State of Confusion, I hereby knight thee, Sir Erol. As part of the knighthood, you are hereby granted the right to install thee a moat around thine palace. Filleth it with water and Northern Gators that can take the cold and not only have you turned lemons into lemonade, you can get rid of your security sytem....

[David P. Valley]

As stated, a swale is the best upgrade for any hillside home. If a swale is too costly, then at least consider having some sort of french drain installed out and away from your property to convey the draining water out and away from your property before this drainage even gets a chance to accumulate close to your home.

This is one hillside home (nightmare) that I inspected in 2008....

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by ekartal

This is why I originally thought of adding french drains at the rear of the home that would collect some of the water before it reached crawl space drainage tile. You had indicated french drains may be OK except they would freeze in the winter. But then again, drainage is not an issue in freezing weather. With that said, wouldn't a french drainage system in the yard be more effective (and less expensive) than a regrade with swales?

If a French Drain system is to work, it cannot freeze over to take care of ground water during early Spring and Winter thaws.



In order to be functional, they have to be able to drain to a positive outfall on the property or directed to a single or multiple drywells.

Hope this helps a little.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by ekartal

You had indicated french drains may be OK except they would freeze in the winter. But then again, drainage is not an issue in freezing weather.

It can be a problem in freezing weather.

See David's pictures of standing water around foundation. The ground is still frozen but there is melting conditions with the problematic water running to the house foundation.

It is best to keep the drainage away from the potential of heading to the foundation, IMO.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by lkage

It can be a problem in freezing weather.

See David's pictures of standing water around foundation. The ground is still frozen but there is melting conditions with the problematic water running to the house foundation.

It is best to keep the drainage away from the potential of heading to the foundation, IMO.

Agree. There is also the fact that even in freezing temps, conduction through the foundation wall will prevent a small depth from completely freezing, allowing water to soak in at the foundation wall. It may only be 1/8" along the depth of the wall, but that is more than enough for water to soak down. I deal with this problem every Spring when the snow melts.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I agree Jeff, that is what I mentioned earlier, and the only way to stop water in freezing weather is a swale to divert it away from the foundation.
French Drains will not stop runoffs. They only control saturated grounds.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by mcyr

I agree Jeff, that is what I mentioned earlier, and the only way to stop water in freezing weather is a swale to divert it away from the foundation.
French Drains will not stop runoffs. They only control saturated grounds.

Yes, agree with your agreed.

Originally Posted by jjonas;post#3

Depending on your property and it's layout, a swale may be an option to consider.