Down Spout Drainage vs. French Drain

4 years ago

Hello,

I am currently working on proper downspout drainage as well as mitigating water getting into our basement. We have an old house and when it rains water seeps into the basement through the walls. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction in terms of what type of drainage to use.

My initial plan was to create a gutter drainage system using PVC and corrugated pipe that ties all my downspouts together and exits at the street but I was curious if that would be enough.

The dirt line surrounding our house goes right up to the foundation and from what I have read this may not be the best. Should I also put in a french drain that surrounds the house with perforated pipe and drainage rock that terminates at the street as well?

I hope I got my terminology correct but any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

worthy
4 years ago
Often, directing roof water far from the home and grading properly is all that's needed. So try that first and see.

Be aware that sending your roof water to the street may be illegal in your community. In many jurisdictions, it's also illegal to drain into storm sewers.
Keith Kuntz
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you for the info, it really helps! If it is illegal would you recommend something like a pop-up drain?
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Charles Ross Homes
4 years ago
You need to address water on the surface and underground-- so you're looking at two separate systems.

Use the perforated pipe with filter fabric and gravel to manage underground water. Do not connect that system to the downspouts. Instead, run a separate system of smooth, non-perforated pipe to carry water from the downspouts away from the foundation.
worthy
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
A single popup means all the water is going into one area, which may result in ponding. I prefer perforated ABS or PVC and a popup. (Flexible PVC, which is sometimes used, quickly fills up with roots and debris and can't be cleaned out.) A catchbasin at the bottom of the drainpipe or a few feet

Downspout cleanout. Photo: Drainage and Erosion Solutions

out will be useful too. Be sure to also provide a cleanout.