| Posted By |
Message |
BlackJack96
LIF Infant
Member since 6/08 245 total posts
Name:
|
French Drains and Sump Pumps
We have a finished basement which has been dry for the last 5 years that we've owned our home. However, in the last 2 major storms (irene and the storm 2 weeks ago). we've had water in our finished basement (I think due to water leaking from below and water leaking through a basement window).
We've had a few folks come out to give us estlmates and pretty much all suggested a french drain dug in the basement connected to a sump pump.
I spoke with some knowledgeable folks who seem to think this is the best course of action. I spoke to one or two people, who said that drilling holes in the basement IS NOT a good idea since you are inviting water into the basement. THey recommended making the french drain OUTSIDE the house. However, everything I've read about this says that these can clog. ANyone have any thoughts on this? Any negatives to putting a french drain?
Second, if you have a sump pump/french drain set up and the power goes out in a rain storm what happens? Does water back up?
|
Posted 9/4/11 11:31 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate |
mlny
blessed <3
Member since 10/09 2113 total posts
Name:
M
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
We have the french drain perimeter pumps in our basement. They definitely pump more water than would normally flood our basement, however they are a lifesaver and we haven't flooded since we got them.
If the power goes out, then the pumps don't flush.. which means your basement will flood. For Hurricane Irene we went out and got a generator strictly as backup for the pumps. We didn't end up needing it, but it was great for peace of mind.
The pumps were a huge expensive project, but they have kept our basement dry for the past two years.. and we live in a very flood prone area.
HTH!
ETA we have two sump pumps.
Message edited 9/4/2011 10:09:57 PM.
|
| Posted 9/4/11 10:08 PM |
| |
|
BlackJack96
LIF Infant
Member since 6/08 245 total posts
Name:
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
Thanks for the info. Guess I will have to look into getting a generator.
|
| Posted 9/5/11 3:17 PM |
| |
|
fabrichick
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2479 total posts
Name:
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
My parents have both. A few weeks ago when it flooded on the South Shore, the rain came in so fast it didn't matter what they had, the pump couldn't keep up. My dad went and got 2 pumps at the fancy fish store and attached a garden hose and water was pumping out quickly.
They are just south of Merrick Rd., they had no flooding during Irene. No water at all..
|
| Posted 9/5/11 8:10 PM |
| |
|
lbelle821
Arghhhhh
Member since 2/06 5285 total posts
Name:
Lisa
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
Posted by mlny
We have the french drain perimeter pumps in our basement. They definitely pump more water than would normally flood our basement, however they are a lifesaver and we haven't flooded since we got them.
If the power goes out, then the pumps don't flush.. which means your basement will flood. For Hurricane Irene we went out and got a generator strictly as backup for the pumps. We didn't end up needing it, but it was great for peace of mind.
The pumps were a huge expensive project, but they have kept our basement dry for the past two years.. and we live in a very flood prone area.
HTH!
ETA we have two sump pumps.
wow, exactly the same thing here except we only have one sump pump.
|
| Posted 9/5/11 9:36 PM |
| |
|
BlueDiamonds
mommy to 3 boys
Member since 2/07 3885 total posts
Name:
proud mommy
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
we have the type that is in the basement, small holes drilled into the floor. it does not invite water in, but when the water table gets high enough water trickles in and the pump keeps it low. so it keeps water from around the house foundation. it is hooked up to a sump pump with a battery back up. better than a generator when the power goes out, in my opinion.
we had water coming in through a window and we used several techniques to fix the problem. regraded that side of the house, installed a drain inside the window well and installed the sump pump. haven't had a drop of water in the basement since (3 years ago).
|
| Posted 9/6/11 11:15 AM |
| |
|
4PsInaPod
My Loves <3
Member since 7/07 10079 total posts
Name:
D
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
Posted by mlny
We have the french drain perimeter pumps in our basement. They definitely pump more water than would normally flood our basement, however they are a lifesaver and we haven't flooded since we got them.
If the power goes out, then the pumps don't flush.. which means your basement will flood. For Hurricane Irene we went out and got a generator strictly as backup for the pumps. We didn't end up needing it, but it was great for peace of mind.
The pumps were a huge expensive project, but they have kept our basement dry for the past two years.. and we live in a very flood prone area.
HTH!
ETA we have two sump pumps.
DITTO!
Except we just got them put in a few months ago and they worked beautifully through Irene! 
They do offer a battery powered back up which we turned down and now are kicking ourselves for it!!!!! (def. look into it, our neighbors are kicking themselves for not getting it too)
|
| Posted 9/6/11 1:32 PM |
| |
|
acm1899
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 1085 total posts
Name:
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
Posted by mlny
We have the french drain perimeter pumps in our basement. They definitely pump more water than would normally flood our basement, however they are a lifesaver and we haven't flooded since we got them.
If the power goes out, then the pumps don't flush.. which means your basement will flood. For Hurricane Irene we went out and got a generator strictly as backup for the pumps. We didn't end up needing it, but it was great for peace of mind.
The pumps were a huge expensive project, but they have kept our basement dry for the past two years.. and we live in a very flood prone area.
HTH!
ETA we have two sump pumps.
I have a similar setup. The tubing which collects the ground moisture are in the yard, which then drain into the basement (unfinished) into a hole in the floor of the basement where the sump pump drains the water out when it gets to a certain level. My sump pump is actually a main pump with a smaller backup pump which would only kick in if the first pump failed and the water got up to a higher level. Assuming you have a power outage, the pumps should be connected to a backup battery which can last for a few hours but it depends on how much the pumps are working. Presumably during a heavy rainstorm, the battery won't last as long. If your power should go out for more than like 5-7 hours, the battery will lose power and then you'll need a backup generator to get it running. If the pumps stop working then yes, you will get flooding. I learned this the hard way.
|
| Posted 9/6/11 1:40 PM |
| |
|
Chatham-Chick
*********************
Member since 5/05 10312 total posts
Name:
|
Re: French Drains and Sump Pumps
You should really determine why & how water is getting in before going the route of french drains. They're not a guarantee that you'll keep a dry basement. They too can overflow if there's enough water.
Do you need to do some minor regrading? Are your gutters clogged? Is the water draining from your house or towards?
|
| Posted 9/6/11 2:24 PM |
| |
|
