Keeping Water Out Where It Belongs: Outside Foundation Drains

Water around your home’s foundation can lead to serious structural problems, such as cracks, leaks, and long-term damage to your basement or crawlspace. The best way to protect your home? Stop the water before it ever gets inside.

There’s no debate that the best place to stop the water is outside your home. Ideally, gutters would never be installed in the attic to then dump the water down a drain, and the same applies to your foundation.

So, when we have access, our preferred approach is to dig down and install a French drain system along the outside of the home, just below the base of the foundation. This works especially well for homes with walkout basements or homes where multiple walls are underground.

Before the Work Begins

This type of system requires excavation—which means digging down to expose the foundation wall all the way to the bottom (called the “footer”). We do this because we want to stop water at the lowest point possible, before it ever finds a path inside.

During Installation: Step-by-Step

Here’s what happens once excavation begins:

1. Clean & Waterproof the Wall

• We start by cleaning the foundation wall so we can apply a strong, watertight bond.
• Then, we apply a tar-based waterproofing coating. This is cost-effective, long-lasting, and forms the first barrier to stop water.

2. Install a Drainage Mat

Over the tar, we add a dimpled drainage mat. This serves two purposes:

• It protects the waterproofing layer from damage during backfilling.
• It creates a “drainage plane”—a gap that lets any water flow freely down to the drain instead of pushing against the wall.

3. Add Gravel and the French Drain Pipe

• We add gravel at the base of the excavation, just below or in line with the footer.
• Then, we install a perforated PVC drain pipe (the actual French drain), wrapped in a silt fabric to keep out soil and debris.
• The pipe is covered with 1 to 2 feet of gravel, then another layer of silt cloth, and finally the soil is replaced.

4. Ensure Proper Water Flow

• One end of the system includes a cleanout, which allows access for future maintenance.
• The drain slopes away from the house, letting water exit by gravity through a discharge line.

What If We Can’t Dig?

Sometimes a full exterior drain isn’t possible. If you have:

• A large concrete porch or patio in the way
• Beautiful landscaping or hardscaping you want to preserve
• A tight space between structures or property lines

We’ll talk through other options, like interior foundation drains or encapsulation, that can still manage water effectively without tearing up your yard.

We Can Help

At Upstate Structural Repair, we design drainage systems tailored to your space—no guesswork, no pressure. We’ll inspect your home, walk you through the options, and offer a free estimate to help you make the right decision.