Removing standing water in a basement that has ongoing flooding problems is a special problem. Here are the six most common ways to solve this problem.
1. Choose a basement floor drain
There are a few basements that don’t experience moisture problems. When excessive moisture or active leaks cause water to accumulate on the floors, the integrity of the building and the health of those who live in it are at risk. Current building codes require basement drainage systems in new construction, but many homes predate this requirement. If your basement is one of these, you may choose to add a drainage system.
Sometimes it’s best to install an outdoor drain pipe to divert water away from the foundation. If they are deep enough, they can also relieve hydrostatic pressure from rising groundwater. Typically, however, exterior drainage must be supplemented by a basement floor drain. Your best choice will depend on the characteristics of your basement floor and the path water takes to enter your basement. Water seeping through walls can usually be diverted through perimeter drains. But water coming in from below may require a more extensive system, spanning the middle of the floor.
Once you direct the water to a central point, you still need to direct it outside. This usually requires a sump pump, which can deliver water into the building’s waste system or into a safe runoff location outside.
No matter which type you choose, floor drain installation is always flush with the surface, which requires digging. If your basement has a concrete floor, it may also involve some demolition work. It might make sense to pour new concrete to create a finished floor surface that slopes toward the gutters. Listed below are common floor drain systems and the best operating conditions for each.
2. French drains
It consists of gravel-embedded perforated pipes installed in trenches sloping toward the drainage point. This is a great solution for flooding caused by groundwater. Typically installed 6 to 24 inches deep, it can also control wall water penetration.
This type is sometimes called drainage tile because it is made from old roof tiles from before the advent of plastic pipes. The gravel is usually left exposed on the floor surface, but if you choose, you can cover it with a metal or plastic mesh.
3. Curtain drain pipe
There is a lot of confusion between this and a French drain because they are so similar. the difference? Curtain gutters are shallow. It consists of perforated pipes embedded in gravel and installed in sloping trenches. Shallow placement allows the drain to capture and redirect water that seeps through the wall.
Curtain gutters are easier to install than French gutters because you don’t have to dig as deep. It may be an adequate drainage solution when groundwater flooding is unlikely.
4. Channel or ditch drainage
This is simply a sloping trench covered by a metal mesh that is installed around the perimeter or in the middle of the floor. It does not absorb water; it directs it to a sinkhole or other location where it can drain safely. It provides coverage against flooding caused by pipe leaks and similar incidents.
The basement floor must slope toward the drain, so the trench is usually dug at the lowest point. The flooring may need to be resurfaced during installation to give it the necessary slope.
5. Standard floor drain
The standard floor drain is probably the most familiar of all basement drains and features a circular or rectangular grid of covered holes. It is located on the lowest part of the floor and collects standing water that enters through walls or other places. It carries water through underground pipes to a pipe system or cesspit.
If it is connected to a pipe, this type of drain is best installed during initial construction as it requires a P-trap and vent to prevent sewer gases from being released into the basement. Installing a floor drain into a sump can avoid such complications.
6. Sump pits and sump pumps
Sump pumps and sumps are often used in conjunction with another drainage network. But even without supplemental drainage, a sump system can effectively protect your basement from flooding caused by high water tables.
Groundwater flows into cesspits dug under the floors. When water levels rise to dangerous levels, pumps are turned on to empty the pit. Sump pumps are often built in basements with poorly drained soil or low-lying areas prone to flooding.
7. External perimeter drainage
Exterior gutters installed around the perimeter of your foundation collect and redirect water before it seeps into your basement. Where the water table is high or there is a lot of runoff, there are often French drains dug along the foundation wall or even at its base. When runoff is the only issue, channel drains can solve the problem.
Sometimes a basement just needs exterior gutters to keep it dry. However, in areas with high water tables, they are only part of a complete drainage system.
8. Conclusion
The above are the 6 common types of basement floor drains summarized in this guide. If you are considering purchasing a floor drain, please carefully compare the differences between each type of floor drain.
（https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/types-of-basement-floor-drains/）
