Wednesday 07th 2008f May 2008 09:34

French Drains

Sunday, October 28, 2007 French Drains In recent years some marketing has been done to convince homeowners that an "on the footer system" is better because it doesn't clog like a "french drain". I must say as the owner of Pioneer Basement, having 30 years experience in basement drainage, I do not agree. In fact a modern day "french drain" called GrateDrain is much easier to maintain and service because it has access ports in all corners, allowing the drain to be flushed with hot water if needed. These on the footer systems are really a benefit to the contractor not the homeowner. They take less time to install yet they charge as much as a "french drain" system. They do clog with iron bacteria and because the system has no access ports in the corner they clog and the only way to repair them is to re break the concrete floor. The GrateDrain while costing more for labor, is the right thing for the customer. It is not installed on the footing but rather in front of the footer. It has large punched holes on each side with a center divider allowing the drain to collect more water quickier and directing it faster to the GrateSump.