Keep Your Basement Dry With a Curtain Drain - Fine Homebuilding

Synopsis: Leaking basements are a nuisance and a potential threat to mechanical equipment, floor and wall finishes, and anything below ground level. Landscape contractor Eric Nelson has a solution to problem: a curtain drain that channels groundwater away from the house and basement. Located in a trench that slopes downhill, a perforated pipe wrapped in filter cloth collects water and safely drains it away from the house. The curtain drain is covered with a layer of gravel to keep it accessible in case something needs fixing.

When it comes to unwanted moisture in the basement, an ounce of prevention is worth several gallons of cure. That's why I start to solve basement water problems by examining the level, gutters and foundation cracks. When the home does not have functioning foundation drains, as older homes might, the damp basement problem can be worse.

The slope should be away from the house. The gutters should be clean and should drain water away from the house. Cracks in the foundation should be repaired with mortar or masonry sealer. If you still have water problems , consider where the water is coming from: groundwater is seeping in or surface water is seeping in. For high water tables, an internal drain with a sump pump might be the solution. curtain is an excellent low-tech solution.

A curtain drain is a trench filled with gravel and perforated pipes to carry water away from the house. Lining the ditch with filter cloth will help the system last longer. I avoid generic landscape weeding cloths, opting rather for a high quality product such as Typar Landscape Fabric. Line the edges of the ditch with fabric, then fold the fabric over the gravel a few inches below the surface. Fine aggregate, such as silt, will be prevented from s 'seep deep into the curtain drain where they would eventually clog the pipe.

As long as you are digging the yard, you may as well incorporate gutter drains into the same ditch, but don't connect the gutter drains to a perforated pipe. Instead, run a gutter pipe along the yard drain. curtain. And for safety, remember to call 811 before digging so you know you won't come across any buried electrical or gas lines.

It's like a gutter for the foundation

When installed properly, a curtain drain can intercept runoff and groundwater before it reaches the foundation. Water drains into a ditch which should be 18" to 24" deep. in. and a downward slope. Terminate the drain in an area where flowing water will not create problems. Lining the ditch with filter cloth helps keep the pipe clean so the drain will operate maintenance-free for a long time.

For more photos and details on installing a curtain drain, click the View PDF button below.