Interior Vs Exterior Drain System for Foundation Waterproofing Bergenfield, NJ
Are you looking into solutions for foundation waterproofing? Advancements in building technology have meant that homeowners now have various options to choose from when it comes to keeping the water out of their basements. Foundation repair contractors often use a combination of waterproofing methods to offer their clients the best protection.
Drain systems are a common feature in foundation waterproofing systems. Drains are designed to collect water and guide it away from the foundation. The water may be drained into a well. When the well is full, a sump pump extracts the water and pumps it to an external drainage system. There are also instances where the drain may be connected directly to an external drainage system.
Interior vs. exterior systems
Drain systems can be installed inside the foundation (interior drain systems) or the exterior of the foundation. Interior systems are beneficial as they help to relieve hydrostatic pressure acting against the basement wall. The water drains into the exterior drain before it gets to the wall. This prevents pressure from building up and causes the foundation walls to bow.
Interior drain systems are designed to prevent flooding of the basement. The excess water collects in the drain and is guided into a well. Hydrostatic pressure will continue to build against the wall to some extent. Therefore, the root cause of the pressure build-up must be identified and resolved. For example, suppose your gutters are overflowing, causing water to seep into the soil near the foundation. In that case, you will need to resolve the issue to prevent hydrostatic pressure from building against your walls.
Which drain system should you choose?
You can go with an exterior drain system if you have room in your yard and don’t mind having your landscaping damaged in excavations. Installing these systems is labor-intensive too. Exterior drain systems are also a great option if you have a finished basement and don’t want to damage it.
Interior drain systems are a great option if you don’t want to damage your landscaping or do not have a lot of room to install an exterior drain system. They are also less labor-intensive and are often more affordable to install as they do not involve excavation.
Talk to a foundation waterproofing contractor to choose the best system for your requirements.
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