Property damage caused by water and moisture in a basement slab can include:

	Wall framing damage
	Slab and foundation damage
	Deterioration of carpeting and flooring
	Electrical hazards when wet
	Mold growth or rot
	Unhealthy environment

(Water seeping through footing and wall into cellar/basement)

Drainage solutions require that water be diverted away from the basement.

(Cellar dewatering system prior to concrete slab replacement)

Diverting water from the basement may require the installation of interior and/or exterior drainage systems.

Diagrams: Basement Sub-Slab Drain System | Interceptor System | Exterior Membrane Foundation Water-Proofing

Basement Drainage Systems
A) Exterior or B) Interior: Which is Best?

Who Cares?

Water seepage through basement foundations can lead to high moisture in basement areas, conducive conditions for infestation, flooding of basement slabs, condensation in living areas, mold, mildew, dry rotted wall framing members, and occasionally escalates to structure failure in the foundation walls themselves.

Advantages of Exterior and Interior Drainage Solutions

Once the source of the problem water has been determined, then a suitable solution(s) can be proposed. Drainage Solutions can involve exterior, interior, or a combination of drainage systems. Where possible, we offer these options, and provide you the benefits, and challenges of each.

In a perfect world, your house or structure would have a viable drainage system around the exterior of the foundation (Or at least should have when your home was built.) Houses are typically built with exterior, rather than interior systems. You are undoubtedly calling us because all or part of your home is experiencing original system failure and some or all of the conditions noted above.

A) Exterior System

The positive results of an exterior drainage system are numerous. Often the downspout drain systems, patios, walkways, or driveways, garage slab floors are improperly installed and contribute to the problem. They may need to be replaced just to install an Exterior System. Once excavated, a footing drain and foundation can be sealed from the outside with Hydro Ducting drainage composite applied to foundation wall exterior, and seepage both through-wall and up-welling seepage eliminated altogether. You can be assured that your home meets or exceeds all basic Uniform Building Code requirements, although the codes are rather vague.

Re-creating such a functional exterior system is preferable to an interior system, but can be very challenging and costly. Finished landscaping, as well as patio, walkway, garage and driveway slabs present obstacles to digging and must be removed and then replaced. Deep trenching can require shoring, is weather sensitive, and again is very labor intensive when compared to an interior system.

B) Interior Systems

Interior systems, when possible, are less expensive, provide very good protection for basement slab (keeping it dry) and do not create disruption to the area around the exterior of the structure. Interior systems normally meet the basic requirements needed to keep your basement slab dry.

Interior drainage systems collect only the water that seeps or wells up into the basement slab area. They do not necessarily address seepage through foundation walls, rock pockets, cracks, etc. They will not improve sogginess in yards or address any downspout deficiencies.

Exterior or Interior, which is best for you ??? We promise to provide the most sensible and durable system in the business. Both options carry a 20 year “Dry basement slab” warranty. After reviewing our bids, we ask you to select the option which best suits your needs.