FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Basement Wall Drainage solution ?

| Posted in Construction Techniques on July 9, 2002 11:52am

I am working on a project to improve the drainage around my basement walls.  The foundation is cracking and leaking after only 5 years.  There is a footing drain in place that is working, but the soil is clay.  Drainage is poor around the house and the roof is metal without gutters.  

Based on all the information I have found my current plan is to excavate a trench around the basement, line it with road fabric and fill with gravel.  This would improve the drainage and relieve some of the presure on the walls.  I will then also slope the grade from the house and added shallow drainage trenches with gravel to pull the water further from the house.

Questions I have are is this a good strategy , what kind of issues with digging around the foundation do I need to be aware of ?

Thanks for any input you can offer…

Ditch digger in VT

 

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    rjw | Jul 10, 2002 12:32am | #1

     Drainage is poor around the house and the roof is metal without gutters.  

    Well, you can spend a few hundred bucks on gutters and downspouts and downspout extensions and making sure you have positive grading around the house, or a few thousand on trenching etc.

    In most cases, moving water away from the hosue (well past the overdig area) will solve the problems

    1. Piffin | Jul 10, 2002 01:18am | #2

      I wouldn't stop with just roof gutters. The foundation is cracking in clay soil with no aparent drains. Clay can expand considerably from dry to wet because of the volumn of water it holds. Then let that water freeze and you've got one explanation for the cracks. Fail to solve that problem and expect a worse situation every year.

      Trenching to the footers and adding fabric and stone is good but you also have to install a perimeter drain at the base of that and lead it out to daylight to leet gravity help you expell the water. If the site is one that makes this impossible, excavate a drywell (A hole filled with stone and lined with fabric) and lead the drain into the drywell. You have to give the water someplace to go. If you just put stone around the foundation, you make it possible for the water to run from the clay into the stone against the foundation.

      Excellence is its own reward!

      1. User avater
        rjw | Jul 10, 2002 02:23am | #3

        Piffin,

        Good points.  There is fairly heavy clay soil in much of the territory I do inspections in.

        We get primarily two types of block foundation cracks around here from the clay soil.   The first is generally about 1/2 way between the basement slab and grade, or lower.  It's a horizontal crack caused by the wall bowing in because of increased moisture content of the clay.  As it nears the ends of the walls, it stair steps up and down to the corners.

        I've seen these cracks as much as 3/4" to 1"!  (Sometimes axis of the bow is verticaal, with only minor crackijng but where the lowest course of block with a bottom edge above the slab has been pushed inward up to a couple of inches.)

        The second type is usually a course or two belwo grade level and it occurs from freezing, expanding soil.  I usually don't see those as much more tahn a hairline, up to about 1/16the, although I've seen more.

        In most cases in my area, positive grading and good downspout extensions gets enough water away from the foundation to prevent further foundation problems.

        My area is very flat.  Any foorter perimeter drains are run to a sump and then pumped well away from the house.  It is pretty unusual to be able to run perimeter drains to daylight.

        This flatness has a small benefit, however.  We rarely get runoff from one property to the next!  (And sledding accidents are just about unheard of, around here!)

        I usually suggest the least expensive approach because, around here, it usually works.  If it doesn't then yopu call out the big dogs.

        The situation and best approaches may well be different in other areas, however.

        1. Piffin | Jul 10, 2002 02:33am | #4

          On this island, we have solid ledge overlaid with clay -various glacial tills and almost no topsoil. Ledge may be anywhere from one to twenty feet down. You can imagine the water pocketing we can have.Excellence is its own reward!

      2. roadster8 | Jul 10, 2002 03:11am | #5

        Thanks for the information, the good thing is that I have perimeter drains at the footing level already that are draining properly. I am more concerned about the pressure applied by the soil, do you think that just adding positive drainage for surface runoff will improve this ? I would like to do this right and hopefully have a dry basement as a result.

        Thanks for all the feedback !

        digging in Vermont clay... we have hills... runoff... springs.. lots of water !

        1. Piffin | Jul 10, 2002 03:52am | #6

          Yes! Adding the stone will let the water get to the drains and building the plane up to slope will lead surface water away before as much of it can soak in.Excellence is its own reward!

  2. User avater
    BossHog | Jul 10, 2002 04:04pm | #7

    I'm concerned about your idea about digging a trench and filling it with gravel. Unless you have a way to get the water out of that trench, you're just trapping the water up against the foundation.

    Even if you do put some sort of drain in your trench, what happens when the drain is compromised?

    I'm with the other guys in thinking that gutters sound like the place to start. Then make sure the water gets away from the house as far as possible. Underground drains to daylight are great if that's an option.

    If you end up digging up around your house, go ahead and put something on the foundation like this stuff:

    http://www.deltams.com/deltadrain/index.html

    Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Are Single-Room ERVs the Answer?

Learn more about the pros and cons of single-room ERVs.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Design and Build a Pergola
  • Podcast Episode 689: Basement Garages, Compact ERVs, and Safer Paint Stripper
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Are Single-Room ERVs the Answer?
  • Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data