Henry F. French, was not the first to use clay drain tile in America. I believe a Mr William Connors of Exeter, NH was the first in the area to use clay drain tile to "underdrain" his farm land to make it more productive. Tile Drainage first established here in 1838. Use of drain tile was not common until about 1850.
Henry installed an interior drain tile system on a farm house he owned in Exeter, NH sometime in the 1850's. He also installed such a drain tile system in a farmhouse he bought in 1865 on Sudbury Road in Concord, MA. In a lecture he gave he mentions that he installed drainage systems in both these houses and they were still functioning fine.
Henry French felt that it was absolutely important for the health of the home and family that people in his day should drain the water from their cellars (basements). His main reason for doing so was health of the women and children who were in the home most. He believed that diseases were directly caused from the bad air rising up from the cellar.
Today I am on a mission to bring attention to the importance of not only draining the cellar (basement) but making sure that a proper water and moisture control system be installed in homes today. No longer should contractors install open backed drainage systems in basements as these systems encourage radon, ground humidity, bugs and moisture which promotes mold. Please visit http://www.gratedrain.blogspot.com and http://www.basementwaterproofingboston.com for more information.
Showing posts with label interior drainage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interior drainage. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
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.
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.
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