We have an indoor French drain surrounding the entire perimeter of our basement, and it has functioned well for 18 years until December 2020. It’s important to mention that the company that installed it is no longer in business, which complicates repairs or maintenance.
Alright, so you wanna fix your French drain? First, get rid of all the gunk – dirt, leaves, whatever’s blocking it. Then, take a look at the pipe itself. See if anything’s cracked or crushed. Make sure the water’s actually going downhill like it’s supposed to. If things are still slow, try adding more gravel or swapping out that fabric stuff to help the water drain quicker.
Since the French drain worked well for 18 years but failed in 2020, it could be due to clogs, pipe collapse, or pump failure. Since the original installer is out of business, have a basement waterproofing specialist inspect the system. They can assess the drain’s condition, clean it out, or retrofit key components without a full replacement. Routine maintenance and proper grading around the home may help prevent future issues.