I'm looking for advice on waterproofing my basement, especially since I own a property in a flood zone where the street often experiences flooding during heavy rain. While my basement isn't always affected, severe storms have left me with several inches of water inside. Recently, water even got into my hot water heaters, causing costly repairs. I already have a sump pump in place to deal with the water that typically enters from the front of the house where the street floods. I've received two quotes for an interior French drain system, both priced around $9K. One company suggests discharging to the front, saying it will naturally flow to the street and is familiar with the area. The other company recommends discharging to the back, claiming it avoids the front flooding but relies on the backyard's drainage ability. I'm torn between these two options and would love to hear your thoughts: Would you discharge to the front where it floods or to the back where it's usually drier?
2 Answers
Yeah, I think sticking with the front discharge is the safer bet. It just makes sense to let nature take its course. Just make sure to check out the sump pump model; sometimes they use proprietary stuff that might not be the best in the long run. But if the company has solid reviews, it should be okay. I'd definitely focus on getting something reliable, especially since you’ve had issues before.
I'd go with the Drycrete option, especially since they seem to have a solid plan for drainage. I would skip on the battery backup system they offer; those are usually easy to install yourself and you can find cheaper options elsewhere. As for the discharge location, I agree with Drycrete's advice. If the water flows naturally toward the street, it makes more sense than discharging to the back where it could cause other flooding issues. Honestly, the Basement Technologies plan feels more like a way for them to save costs rather than truly help you out.