I recently went under contract on a house and I'm trying to figure out whether the gutters and pipes I saw are connected to a French drain system. The MLS listing mentioned a sump pump and French drain, but during my visit, I only saw the sump pump—no clear signs of a French drain. There are pipes at each corner of the house that go underground, and two pipes that release into the street. Is there a way to confirm if these are part of the French drain system? What should I ask my home inspector to verify its existence and functionality?
2 Answers
You might want to have those pipes scoped to see exactly where they connect. Also, check the local regulations because sometimes it's illegal to direct drainage like that into the street. Even if it seems to be happening already, it might not be allowed!
Those street pipes could definitely be draining from a French drain setup, especially to prevent flooding during heavy rain. One simple trick is to put a hose in the gutters and see if water flows into the street. You can also try putting a hose in the sump pump basin to see if the street pipes drain when the sump pump kicks on. That should give you a clue!
But does water flowing into the street prove there's a French drain, or could it just mean it’s linked to the sump pump and gutters?