How To Finish A Basement With French Drains

Finishing a basement can be a great way to add extra living space to your home. However, if your basement is prone to flooding, you'll need to install a French drain before you can finish it.

French drains are underground drainage systems that collect and redirect water away from your home. They are typically installed around the perimeter of your basement, and they can be used to prevent flooding from both groundwater and surface water.

Installing a French drain is a relatively simple process, but it is important to do it correctly. If the drain is not installed properly, it will not be effective at preventing flooding.

### Here are the steps on how to finish a basement with French drains:

Materials:

* Perforated drain pipe * Filter fabric * Gravel * Excavation tools * Level * Measuring tape * Marking paint * Backfill dirt

Steps:

1. Determine the location of the drains: The first step is to determine where you will install the French drains. The drains should be installed around the perimeter of your basement, and they should be placed at least 1 foot below the floor level. 2. Excavate area: Once you have determined the location of the drains, you will need to excavate the area. The excavation should be approximately 1 foot wide and 2 feet deep.
3. Lay down Filter Fabric: Before installing the drain pipe, you will need to lay down a layer of filter fabric. The filter fabric will help to keep soil and debris out of the drain pipe. 4. Install drain pipe: Once the filter fabric is in place, you can install the drain pipe. The drain pipe should be placed in the center of the excavation, and it should be sloped away from your home. The pipe should be perforated to allow water to enter the drain. 5. Cover with gravel: Once the drain pipe is installed, you will need to cover it with gravel. The gravel will help to keep the drain pipe in place, and it will also help to filter out sediment. 6. Backfill and compact: Once the gravel is in place, you can backfill the excavation with dirt. The dirt should be compacted to prevent settling. 7. Finish the basement: Once the French drains are installed, you can finish the basement as desired.