If you’ve been struggling with water in your basement, you’ve probably heard about French drains. These drainage systems are one of the most effective ways to keep water from seeping through foundation walls or pooling on your basement floor.
So, will a French drain keep water out of your basement?
✅ Yes — when it’s installed correctly and combined with other waterproofing measures, a French drain can be one of the most reliable long-term solutions for keeping your basement dry.
What Is a French Drain?
A French drain is a perforated pipe buried in a trench that redirects groundwater away from your home’s foundation.
The system is surrounded by gravel or stone and wrapped in a filter fabric to prevent clogs.
As water collects in the soil around your basement, it naturally flows into the pipe, which channels it safely to a sump pump or discharge point outside your home.
Types of French Drains
💧 Exterior French Drains
Installed along the outside perimeter of your home’s foundation. These systems intercept water before it reaches your basement walls.
💦 Interior French Drains
Installed along the inside perimeter of your basement floor, beneath the slab. They capture water that seeps through foundation cracks or wall-floor joints, then direct it to a sump pump for removal. It is not normal for your basement walls to be wet, damp, or have mold.
How a French Drain Keeps Water Out
Here’s what a properly designed French drain system does for your basement:
🚫 Relieves Hydrostatic Pressure – Water builds up around your foundation walls, especially after rain. The French drain collects and channels that water away, reducing pressure that can cause leaks or cracks.
🌊 Prevents Water Accumulation – By redirecting groundwater to a sump pump or discharge pipe, the system prevents flooding even during heavy storms.
🏡 Protects Foundation Integrity – Consistent moisture around your foundation can weaken concrete over time. A French drain helps maintain stable, dry soil conditions.
🌫️ Reduces Humidity & Mold Risk – A dry basement means less moisture in the air, fewer musty odors, and reduced risk of mold growth.
When a French Drain Alone Isn’t Enough
While French drains are powerful tools, they’re not always the only answer.
For example:
- If your basement walls are cracked or porous, you’ll still need foundation wall sealing or injection repairs.
- If surface water from your yard or downspouts is pooling near the foundation, grading or gutter adjustments may also be necessary.
- In homes with high water tables, an interior French drain combined with a sump pump is often the most effective system.
That’s why it’s best to have a professional inspection to identify where the water is coming from before deciding on a solution.
Professional French Drain Installation
At Basement Waterproofing Specialists, we install both interior and exterior French drain systems designed specifically for your home.
We use high-grade perforated piping, heavy-duty filter fabric, and professional backfill methods to ensure long-term performance.
Our systems are often paired with:
- Sump pumps and backup systems
- Wall crack injection repairs
- Vapor barriers and dehumidifiers
All to guarantee a permanently dry basement. Click Here for your fast, FREE Estimate
About Us
We are Basement Waterproofing Specialists, a 4th generation, local, family, woman-owned business. We are not a huge chain, nor a national company. Our employees work and live in this area. We work and live in this area. This is why we’ve been voted Best Basement Waterproofer 11-straight years… because we care about the people of this community, and we always treat your home like it were the home of a family member.
We are based in Collegeville PA, just north of King of Prussia. However, we service all of New Jersey, including:
Hunterdon County
Edison
Newark
Glassboro
Long Branch and more…
Delaware including Newark, New Castle, Dover, Smyrna and more…
And Pennsylvania, including:
Allentown
Philadelphia
West Chester
Gettysburg
Harrisburg
Lancaster
York and more..
We offer free estimates to home owners, and financing is available.
We don’t do a hard sell, nor do we use scare tactics. Why? We don’t need to. Our work speaks for itself. We have 4-generations of experience keeping homeowners just like you safe from basement flooding, mold, and foundation problems.
Need help, simply call us at 800-700-9171