Hydro Channel interior basement drainage system
DaveDownSouth
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hydro Channel is a product used after pouring foundation walls to create an interior drain system in the event that the exterior waterproofing failed. Water would be channeled into a drain pipe, then to a sump pump.
I’m wondering if anyone has used this? My building my own home and it seems like cheap insurance, though very expensive to install later.
Replies
I realize this is likely spam, but if you are going to do something like this which is after the foundation but before the floor pour, you might as well use a product called FORM A DRAIN which is a leave in place footer form that is plastic and has an integral drain system.
https://buildblock.com/products/accessories/form-a-drain/
I recommend Form a Drain also. It also becomes the relief for Radon gas. This makes it way better to use rather opening a slot to the interior of the house which will allow Radon to come into the interior.
This scheme used to be popular about 40 years ago (I forget what the brand name was), but I haven't heard of it in years. It's a hack, of course, and it's better to address the problem from the outside, but it was reported to work pretty well.
Footings are already poured and getting later this week, so I guess it's too late for Form-a-drain. I asked some concrete folks about it and just got a blank look.
Good point about radon. I wonder if inside perimeter piping with holes could serve two purposes. One to release radon and one as a secondary life of defense in the event that the waterproofing isn't 100% effective? Maybe a drain basin could have outside venting and I'd install a sump pump if water started collecting?
Some plastic pipe, gravel and plastic basins seems like cheap insurance compared to having to install it later. I'm just concerned about the negatives and I'm glad 574305 brought up the radon.
This is our retirement house and don't want to have future problems when we're old(er).
Your in good shape Dave. You are using the Hydro Channel. The Hydro Channel is a proven product. Form a drain is just another form of a perforated pipe that goes under the floor next to the footing. It does not protect the cold joint, the area where the wall sets on the footing. If you look at the form a drain brochure it will show 2 inches of rock on the interior footing. This is their way of protecting the cold joint. It would be iffy pouring concrete over two inches of rock without clogging it up with concrete. I know, I've poured over a thousand basements in new homes. Their have been millions of feet of this product installed for many years in new homes across the country and Canada. The Hydro Channel sits below the floor, against the wall. and on top of the footing, and does not create an open void between the floor and wall. I hate to say it but that is no scheme. The Hydro Channel plus does leave a gap between the floor and wall but that is a complete different installation.
I installed hydrochannel plus last spring and it seems to be working well. It sits on the footer and drains to a French drain, which leads to a sump pump. I have an older home and digging up the outside perimeter wasn't an option. My only concern is the small gap between the vertical portion of the hydrochannel and the basement wall. I want to caulk it to prevent radon and water vapor from escaping, but I don't want mold to form either. Any constructively input would be appreciated. Thanks.