Types of Interior Basement Drainage: Which is the Best?

After all this time, it finally happens; that small damp spot in your basement is now a puddle you just can’t ignore. It’s time to waterproof your basement.

While you have numerous options, your best bet is investing in professional solutions like an interior basement drainage system. Learn more about your options on this page!

Apart from obvious water in your basement, several other signs point to the need for waterproofing solutions, including:

• Wet basement walls
• Elevated basement humidity
• Mold growth
• Efflorescence
• Musty odors

1. Basement Floor Drain

Resembling a bathtub drain, a basement floor drain plays a crucial role in basement water management as mandated by many building codes for homeowners.

Its primary function is to provide an escape route for water resulting from appliance failures or plumbing leaks. These drains are designed with a sloping floor, allowing water to flow out effortlessly using the force of gravity. The collected water is then connected to a sump pump, septic system, or sewer line.

While this is effective for faulty appliances, it may not be appropriate for basements with perimeter or severe leaks.

2. Interior Footing Drains

Exterior footing drains are often installed when building a basement, but they easily clog or are crushed by surrounding soil. Their internal counterparts suffer the same fate.

Many contractors place footing drains inside the basement under the floor and in what’s known as the “mud zone.” These perforated pipes may last for a short time, but they, too, typically clog, fail, and result in basement leaks.

Both water from the cove joint (where the wall and floor meet) and any water that could run down the wall are difficult for these inside footing drains to handle.

3. The BasementGutter™ System (Our Top Pick)

We take interior footing drains to the next level and make them more effective and safe for your basement.

Rather than sitting in the mud zone, we place our innovative BasementGutter™ Interior Drain System on top of the footing. It features a special wall flange and underside perforations, allowing it to intercept water from the walls, floor, and cove joint.

This system is also compatible with our wall vapor barrier and various sump pumps.

Speaking of sump pumps, many homeowners choose one over the other, weighing whether they should install an interior drainage system or a sump pump.

The truth is that both are meant to work together, forming a cohesive interior drainage solution.

When we install the BasementGutter™ system, we connect it to a sump pump placed in the basement’s lowest point. This allows water from BasementGutter™ to flow into the sump pump, a central collection point, and be safely pumped out of and away from your basement.