RESIDENTIAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS: WHAT IS A SUMP PUMP AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
A surface drainage system is the best system you can install in a residential area to protect your property from rainwater. Learn all about drainage systems in this article.
Poor water drainage around the house is one of the main causes of house foundation issues. If you wish to protect your foundation from severe damage, you need to invest in some sturdy residential drainage systems. And if basement flooding is a common occurrence in your house, then you might want to think about investing in installing a sump pump.
WHAT IS A SUMP PUMP?
A sump pump is precisely as its name sounds: it consists of a sump that collects excess water and a pump that removes excess water from the sump and leads it away from the house to a nearby dry well or a municipal storm drain. Some people also go for basement waterproofing to limit flood damage.
However, if you are someone who has recently been experiencing water-logging and water damage around your house, then you might be wondering what type of drainage system you need to have installed in your house, which one will collect rainwater, and how exactly to install the best drainage systems for homes. Let us explore each of these in more detail.
WHAT ARE THE TWO TYPES OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS?
When it comes to drainage systems, there are two main types:
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
This kind of drainage system is built to take care of rainwater runoff and excess surface water that might otherwise cause problems in public areas such as streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and roads.
The water from these areas is drained off either into natural channels or catch basins. You might have been warned not to dispose of waste material near stormwater collection points. This is because storm drainage systems generally transport untreated rainwater into natural channels such as rivers and streams.
SANITARY DRAINAGE SYSTEM
This type of drainage system is present in residential and commercial properties. Here, underground pipes are installed to take away sanitary sewage to either disposal facilities or treatment facilities. Sanitary drainage systems are also generally installed near industries to transport industrial wastewater.
You might have noticed maintenance holes installed at intervals for these drainage systems. These utility holes make it easier to regularly clean and inspect the drain.
WHICH TYPE OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM WILL COLLECT RAINWATER?
If you are looking to protect your house from flood damage, then you will probably want to install a drainage system that collects rainwater around your house. Knowing the types of drainage systems available for residential spaces and the ones that will collect rainwater will allow you to choose the best one for your property.
Here, you will need to familiarize yourself with two types of drainage systems typically installed around the house.
FRENCH DRAINAGE SYSTEM
This is the drainage system which is installed mainly to collect underground water near your house. French drains are constructed entirely underground, with infrastructure that typically includes a 3-6-inch-deep trench, landscape fabric liners to prevent the penetration of plant roots, a perforated residential drainage pipe with rocks that allow plants to grow over the drain, and a sump pipe that transports the underground water to another area such as a nearby alleyway or street.
As you can see, French drainage systems are not installed for sprinkler run-off or excess rainwater but only for excess groundwater.
AREA DRAINAGE SYSTEM
An area drainage system is also known as a surface drainage system, and this is the drainage system you want to install if you wish to collect rainwater around your house.
The infrastructure of an area drainage system typically includes a collection box (or boxes) with a top that is grated, a box that is buried just below ground level with a grated flush, and a pipe that connects the two boxes and drains the water away to a nearby area such as a street or an alleyway. As you can see, an area drainage system is the best drainage system for collecting surface water, such as excess rainwater or sprinkler run-off.
Sometimes, a hybrid model may be used, which is a combination of the French drainage system and an area drainage system. Typically known as a trench drain or a modified French drainage system, this hybrid model is also used to collect surface water, such as excess rainwater, but in large areas.
In a modified French drainage system, the excess water typically flows down a slope into the trench drain and is led away from the property with a drainage pipe.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Every house is unique, which is why residential drainage systems tend to be custom-designed for each house. Issues may vary, and thus, the scope of the project and pricing may also be different for each house.
Whatever be the case, there is no denying that drainage systems are a necessity for every house. This is why it is highly advisable to reach out to a professional regarding your drainage issues. At Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, we advise you on the best drainage system that you can install to protect your house from mold, flood, and structural damage. For expert advice on all waterproofing solutions and free estimates, reach out to us at 1-888-537-9832.
Whatever be the case, there is no denying that drainage systems are a necessity for every house. This is why it is highly advisable to reach out to a professional regarding your drainage issues. At Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, we advise you on the best drainage system that you can install to protect your house from mold, flood, and structural damage. For expert advice on all waterproofing solutions and free estimates, reach out to us at 1-888-537-9832.
