How to Prevent Foundation Flooding Using French Drain?

French drains are amazing drain systems that serve the purpose of directing the surface runoff water and groundwater away from the home's foundation or the affected area. Among any other drain systems, these are considered ideal because they reduce the hydrostatic pressure and remove excess moisture from the soil by collecting surface water and the ground water.

The French drains are normally installed below the affected area so that the hydrostatic pressure in that area is reduced. These drains provide an easy channel for the water to flow through pipe by simultaneously emptying the water around the foundation. It can be also installed such a way that it alleviate water from pooling in low depth areas like basement or ditches. A shallow French drain can be constructed with water is collecting at the surface.

Figure-French Drain For Flooding Foundation

Image Courtesy: Flooding basement - what do you know about French Drains? (biggerpockets.com)

Installation of French Drains to Solve Foundation Problems

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The following steps are involved in the installation of floor drains:

1. First locate the area around the foundation that is accumulated with water and where draining is necessary.
2. Next step is to dig a trench from the area that is then drained to the chosen draining point.
3. Provide a waterproof fabric and weed barrier for the trench.
4. To the trench place gravel in 15 cm thickness. Compact the gravel layer. The drainage piping will be installed over it.
5. Install a inlet screen to the area where water accumulates the most. After which fittings are attached such that the pipes extends from the inlet screen to the water outlet.
6. Install pipes in the trench over the gravel layer prepared. 
7. This pipe must be covered with another layer of gravel around 15 cm.
8. The trench must be filled with earth to hide the drainage system.

Figure-French Drain Covered with Gravel

Image Courtesy: French Drains Foundation Drainage 

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Working Stress Method (WSM) and Limit State Method (LSM)