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.

Where did the clay drainage tiles come from?

It appears that sometime before 1859, the farmers of New England purchased common clay drain tiles from overseas (probably England). Some time around the mid 1800's production of clay drain tiles began being produced in America. In Henry French's writing he mentions getting clay drainage tiles from Albany, NY.

It was said that a farmer could get 1000 feet of Clay Drain Tiles for $12.00

If anyone out there has any further information on clay drain tiles being produced in the 1800's - I would love to hear from you.

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)