NEW BOOK - French Drain for Health

French Drain for Health a new book written by industry expert Stephen F Andras is now available for purchase on Amazon.com   

A History of the French Drain in America written by industry expert Stephen F. Andras that discusses the subject of Early American cellar drainage and also today's modern methods of basement waterproofing. Steve traveled all over England, Scotland, Holland, Canada and the United States researching the history of cellar drainage. This book was written so homeowners and contractors can be throughly educated about the reasons Henry Flagg French drained two of his farmhouses. Steve shows clearly that he did so because he wanted the people living above them to be healthy. Great lessons from the 1860's for people today. Steve tells a great story about the small wooden heart on the cover.

Minuteman Brochure

There is a brochure out there that has been nicknamed "The Minuteman Brochure". This 6 panel educational piece details how the "french drain got its name". The french drain got its name from a man named Henry Flagg French, a judge and farmer who lived in Concord Massachusetts in the late 1860's.

While it is true that the principles of the "french drain" have been used for centuries, it was named after Henry French. Henry did travel overseas and studied drainage in Europe. In 1859 he wrote a book entitled Farm Drainage. In that book he showed how drainage techniques needed to be different in (New England) America than in England. He said the average rainfall in England was around 24 inches while in New England they got on average - 42 inches. He clearly show the America farmer that we needed to drain our farm land different than farmers in England.

In that book back in 1859, Henry wrote a chapter devoted to "cellar drainage". Recently there has been alot of discussion on the HGTV Pro forums regarding exterior versus interior drainage (especially from a so called "know it all arrogant, self proclaimed liscensed waterproofer"). He is always trying to convince everyone that he knows best and that a "french drain should be on the exterior.

I have not gotten into it with him as of yet, but someone should tell him that the original "cellar drainage" or french drain was recommedned on the inside. (See Farm Drainage 1859 chapter on Cellar Drainage)

While I understand why some may feel that a drainage system should be done on the outside only, I must respectfully disagree. An exterior system has a major downfall - It will eventually fail and when it does, it will not be able to be maintained, it must be re dug up and replaced.

While I agree in new construction, it makes sense to install an exterior french drain along the footer, but I also recommend installing a closed drainage system like the GrateDrain on the interior. (see http://www.gratedrain.blogspot.com/) I agree that open drainage systems in the basement are not the right thing to do, especially with how the basement is being used in the 21 st century.
I understand why "liscense waterproofer" doesn't like interior systems but that is only because of radon, ground humidity, and bugs can come in thru an open channeled system. With a closed interior system all these things are dealt with. Bottom line is this - a closed GrateDrain system CAN be maintained without having to dig up the homeowner lawn and outdoor decks, etc. An exterior system will eventually clog and when it does it CANNOT be maintained.

For more information email me (stevea@grateproducts.com your mailing address and I will send you one of my "Minuteman Brochure". Just mention you want one of the Minuteman Brochures. It will be sent absolutely free.

"Tan Bark"

When one reads Henry French's book on Farm Drainage he mentions his "cellar drainage" was two rows of 2" clay tiles surrounded by "tan bark". What is this tan bark? Well in doing research on this subject I found that tan bark was probably the inner bark of the red oak tree. During the 1850's "tannin" was very desirable as it was used in leather tanning. I believe the tan bark was probably the bark that was left after the tannin was extracted.

At first I asked my self, "why would Henry French use tan bark around his cellar drains instead of river stone. Was it because of it being readily available? Easy to install? Well I must say that when doing research on iron bacteria and its affects on drainage systems, I came across two separate research studies, one in Scotland and the other in Florida. In each of these studies they found that the acid in conifer bark or in the case in Florida (oak bark) actually aided in controlling iron bacteria clogging drainage fields.

Could it be that in the 1850's Henry French knew that the tan bark would actually keep the cellar drains in his farm house in Concord, Massachusetts running freely.. (Note: I have been in this cellar of this house recently and did see that there was iron bacteria present.) Knowing what I do about Henry French and the Concord Farmers Group, I believe they did know. Some times when we want to learn something to help us with a problem, it is always a good idea to look at the things our ancestors did in the past and then ask why.

French Drains

In recent years some marketing has been done to convince homeowners that an "on the footer system" is better because it doesn't clog like a "french drain". I must say as the owner of Pioneer Basement, having 30 years experience in basement drainage, I do not agree. In fact a modern day "french drain" called GrateDrain is much easier to maintain and service because it has access ports in all corners, allowing the drain to be flushed with hot water if needed.

These on the footer systems are really a benefit to the contractor not the homeowner. They take less time to install yet they charge as much as a "french drain" system. They do clog with iron bacteria and because the system has no access ports in the corner they clog and the only way to repair them is to re break the concrete floor.

The GrateDrain while costing more for labor, is the right thing for the customer. It is not installed on the footing but rather in front of the footer. It has large punched holes on each side with a center divider allowing the drain to collect more water quickier and directing it faster to the GrateSump.

French Drain - Where did it originate?

The French Drain is one of the most frequently searched terms when it comes to drainage. However most of the information I see posted on the internet by contractors and homeowners is not accurate. Here is what some people are saying:

1) The french drain was developed in France because the homes there did not have roof drainage (gutters) so an open trench of perforated pipe and crushed stone would direct the roof water away from the foundation.

2) The french drain is an outside trench directing water away from the foundation.

The truth of the matter is that it was named after Henry F French, a judge from Cambridge, Massachusetts who wrote a book in 1859 called Farm Drainage. In that book he wrote a chapter called Cellar Drainage. In fact, in the book it shows how he recommended installing interior clay tile drains (2" clay tile laid side by side in a trench around the perimeter of the cellar surrounded by tan bark. (see tan bark post)