French drains are a type of drainage system that is used for diverting water away from areas prone to flooding or accumulation. This drain is typically installed as part of a larger home foundation waterproofing system and involves digging a trench along the perimeter of your home, laying down gravel and filter fabric, and then installing a french drain pipe. While french drains can be installed both inside and outside of your home, the main difference between exterior french drains and interior french drains is where they are installed.

French drains provide Pittsburgh homeowners with a variety of benefits and help protect their homes from water damage.

What is an Exterior French Drain?

Exterior french drains are typically used around the perimeter of a house, near areas prone to water accumulation, such as downspouts, window wells, or even next to a patio or deck. These french drains are used to divert water away from the house, preventing it from being absorbed into the foundation and potentially causing flooding or other damage. They can be installed in several different ways, depending on your individual needs and budget.

Benefits of an Exterior French Drain

Exterior french drains offer a variety of benefits for homeowners. They can effectively divert water away from around the perimeter of your house and reduce the amount of water absorption into your foundation. Additionally, they can help prevent flooding that could otherwise damage your home or any nearby structures. The french drain pipe is typically sloped slightly downward to ensure proper drainage without the need for a sump pump.

Since they are installed outside of the home, there is less disruption to your daily life during installation. An exterior french drain helps prevent water pooling on your lawn and also provides you with the chance to prevent damage to your foundation and to seal it for waterproofing.

What is an Interior French Drain?

Interior french drains are typically used when a home has existing basement issues such as water seeping through the walls or even flooding. These french drains are installed inside of the home, usually in the basement, and involve digging a trench along the perimeter of the basement’s interior walls, laying down gravel and filter fabric, and then installing a french drain pipe. This type of french drain is designed to collect groundwater from the basement and divert it away from the house, preventing flooding or other damage.

Benefits of an Interior French Drains

Interior french drains are less expensive to install when compared to an exterior french drains and can typically be installed easily. They can effectively manage water runoff by directing the water away from your home and into the sewer systems using a sump pump. This is a less invasive method that can be used to provide proper drainage for your home when you have moisture issues in your basement or around the foundation.

Which Type of French Drain Do I Need?

When deciding between an exterior french drain or an interior french drain, it is important to consider your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for a solution to divert water away from the perimeter of your home or want to prevent flooding, then an exterior french drain would be the best solution. On the other hand, if you have existing issues with water seeping through walls or flooding in your basement, then an interior french drain would be the best choice.

French drains can provide you with the perfect solution for managing your home’s drainage needs. Whether you are looking for an exterior french drain or an interior french drain, our team of experienced professionals can help guide you.

Contact Pittsburgh Drain Guys today to learn more!