History of French Drains in California Drain tile and French drain first started to be used in basement waterproofing projects in the 1920s. Originally designed with clay tile, French drain and drain tile was designed by Henry French in Concord. Given the time, this was an excellent solution. Today, this drainage system lives on, and is generally made out of large, round plastic piping. However, since the 1990s, a more effective alternative has been developed - the WaterGuard drainage channel system.
French drain systems are usually designed with PVC pipe that is perforated and installed along the interior perimeter of the foundation or along the exterior as the home is built. Laid underneath the basement floor, it drains water to a gravity drain (uncommon) or to a sump pump (very common).
Water leaking through basement walls and floor.
A wet basement is a common problem in all types of basements - from poured concrete to stone to block - and we've dried of each type.
Fixing a wet basement is not a do-it-yourself project. It takes hard work, and a lot of specialized knowledge, skill, and equipment. Learn what is causing your basement water problems and the methods to repair a leaking basement by having us come take a look.
Most basement waterproofing systems in California rely on a sump pump as the final mechanism to get the water out of the basement. The sump pump is the heart of the system. If the heart stops for any reason, the system fails and your basement gets flooded, despite all the money you paid to dry it up. If your home needs a sump pump, you should make sure it's reliable and protection you can count on.
Despite any stories you have heard over the years about folks getting flooded because their sump pump was on the blink again, today's sump equipment is better than ever and very reliable - that is - if you have the right equipment. With the wrong equipment, you'll be telling tales of woe about your pump failing and causing your basement to flood. We can help you get the perfect sump system for your basement.
The Pump Is Only Part of a Sump Pump System
Aside from the pump itself, there are other elements of a good sump pump system that are very important!
The Sump Liner
You don't want your pump to clog in a muddy hole in the floor. And you don't want it in a 5-gallon bucket that doesn't hold a lot of water and will cause the pump to "short cycle" (go on and off very quickly). Instead, you should have a sturdy liner or housing for your sump pump.
This is how you want your Crawl Space to Look....
