Why Are Interior Perimeter Drains Better Than Exterior Perimeter Drains?

One of the key aspects of foundation waterproofing is a proper drainage system. The ideal drainage system would be able to take care of water in the foundation as well as outside of it. While sump pumps are capable of collecting and draining groundwater, they can only do so in the area where its drain pipes are, so the rest of the basement’s sides get neglected. This is where a perimeter drain comes in: it’s designed to drain all the groundwater that a sump pump isn’t able to. Perimeter drainage systems can be installed inside and outside the basement, and there is one method that works better than the other.

Interior drainage systems tend to be better for foundations than exterior ones in the long run. This is because exterior drains are both expensive and require extra maintenance. With exterior drainage systems, the drain pipes need to be installed underground, right along the foundation, meaning that a deep trench needs to be excavated. This is a lot more expensive than the small trench made for an interior perimeter drain like BasementGutter™.

Because an exterior perimeter drain is placed underground, it has a lot of problems with clogging. Mud can easily block water from flowing through the pipes, causing drainage issues and flooding. BasementGutter™ does not have this issue because it is installed above the mud zone. It is specially designed with filters capable of catching debris before it stops the flow of water, a much more efficient drainage method than any exterior drain. Overall, BasementGutter™ is less expensive, easier to install, easier to maintain, and more effective, so you shouldn’t have any trouble choosing which drainage system works best for you.