Clogged French Drain

Dealing with a clogged French drain can be frustrating. Fortunately, many of the problems associated with this issue can be avoided.   Let's take a closer look.

The most frequent cause relates to sediment issues. What happens is that water seeps inside the hollow voids of the masonry creating damp walls that dissolve water soluble elements like calcium, lime, and other minerals from your cement.

A change in temperature can quickly compound this problem. When this happens, expansion and contraction in your masonry structure becomes a concern. Water can have the opportunity to enter through various points of entry. First place to look? The seam, where your masonry meets your concrete floor.

Because your blocked french drains are no longer draining properly, water is building up below ground level and it’s pushing – pushing – pushing! Eventually, water will seep up through cracks and seams in the floor. Next sign of trouble? Pools of water forming at low points in your floor.

Imagine heavy wet soil now exert many pounds of force against your vulnerable basement walls. Not a pretty site! Your wet basement walls may crack or buckle. Like so many other home improvement issues, the cost of foundation repair from buckling or cracks is avoidable if proper steps are taken.