6 Common Types of Basement Drainage Systems in Ontario

Do you have a reliable basement draining system in your home? 

Wet floors, damp walls, foundation cracks—these are all problems you can encounter if the system in your basement isn’t up to par. Unfortunately, many of these issues can cause serious damage and cost you a lot of money to repair. 

With that in mind, this blog will walk you through the different basement drainage options. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a better understanding of how they work in order to keep your basement dry! 

1. Interior Basement Drainage System 

An interior drainage system is installed beneath your basement floor and runs along the perimeter of your basement walls. 

This type of system prevents cove-joint seepage. This occurs when the pressure in the soil surrounding your foundation walls pushes water toward your home, forcing it into your basement in between cracks on the floor and wall. The interior drain system will take this water and redirect it to your sump pump to prevent a flood. 

Given how it affects your home’s structural integrity, this type of basement drain should always be installed by a professional. The process involves opening the basement floor before installing drainage pipes—leave it to the pros! 

2. Exterior Basement Drainage System 

An exterior drain system is installed along the outside perimeter of your foundation walls to collect any water that enters the soil and divert it away. 

If you live in an area that frequently gets heavy rain, then an exterior basement drainage system is likely what you need. It will ensure your basement stays dry so you avoid serious damage even during the most intense storms. 

This type of basement drainage system is installed by excavating the ground around the foundation before wall membranes are placed on the exterior walls. Then, a perforated PVC pipe is connected to your home’s sump pump before it is covered in gravel.

Image source: Canva

3. French Basement Drainage System 

A French drainage system is another way to prevent moisture from seeping into your basement. These systems collect water that enters the soil around your home’s foundation, directing it to your sump pump to be re-routed away.

Similar to exterior basement drainage systems, French drain systems are embedded in gravel and set at an angle to carry water outside of your home. Water passes through the gravel and the holes in the perforated pipe.

4. Basement Floor Drainage System 

A floor drain system is installed on the basement floor to collect any water entering the basement before directing it to a sump pump. 

Typically, they are made of grates and placed on the floor to enable water to pass through the drain pipes more easily. Just like other drainage systems, basement floor drainage systems rely on sump pumps to direct water away from the house.

5. Basement Window Well Drainage System 

A basement window well drainage system is specifically designed to manage water around windows, especially those located below ground level. 

This type of system uses well drains—perforated pipes or channels installed at the base of the windows—to collect water and divert it away from the home. Gravel or a similar aggregate is also typically placed at the bottom of the window well to facilitate drainage and prevent soil from clogging. Weep holes are often also added to the window wells.

6. Walkout Basement Drainage System 

These systems are made specifically for basements where one side has access to the ground level, which is commonly known as a walkout basement. 

A walkout basement drainage system works by using sloping. The area around the walkout is sloped away from the building to help direct water away, which, when assisted by an exterior or French drainage system, keeps the basement dry. This system may also be further outfitted with some of the window well systems mentioned in item five, as well as a sump pump. 

Image source: Canva

Upgrade Your Basement Drainage System 

From an interior basement drainage system to a walkout basement drainage system, there are a lot of options out there to keep your property dry. If you haven’t done so in a while, we recommend inspecting your basement waterproofing system—is it due for an upgrade or some additional support?

If so, PRO Waterproofers is the team to call. We’ve earned the trust of homeowners in Burlington, Hamilton, and Oakville by working to install drainage systems homeowners can rely on. Keeping basements dry is what we do best. 

Take advantage of our FREE in-home consultation—contact our team today!