Replies

1. 
   quicksilver | Jul 01, 2005 11:46pm | #1

   Espo, Why would you want to do that? Is there water under the slab? Is the water table so high where you live that you need that much drainage. Is there gravel below the slab.

   Unless the water table really high where you are I would looking at grading issues at the surface around your house to try and solve this problem.

   Cutting a french drain can be done and done fairly quickly, but in an occupied house I think it would be last resort.

   Check out Zipwall, for starters they can be rented.

   But then again there's bar or cage in your slab this would be a real pain in the butt.

1. 
   Espo | Jul 02, 2005 12:02am | #2

   Hmmmm. OK, here's what I'm wondering though: Do most basements, in your experience Quicksilver, that have sump pumps also have french drains feeding them? Or is it acceptable for the pump to be sunk at the low point of the floor?

1. 
   DanH | Jul 02, 2005 12:08am | #3

   Whether or not you need the weeping tile depends on a number of factors, most importantly the sort of soil under the slab. If there's a thick layer of sand, or, better, gravel and then sand, you may not need tile, or might get away with a couple of short runs.Of course, most folks aren't that lucky.You can, of course, just put a pit in the floor and pump out the water that runs across the floor, but many folks want something a tad more elegant than that.(But, before doing any of this, be sure to tend to the situation OUTSIDE. Often just regrading the area next to the foundation is all you need.)

2. 
   DanH | Jul 02, 2005 12:10am | #4

   And to answer your question, any normal, properly-designed sump pump system that's installed during original construction will have weeping tile. It's easy to do then and well worth the effort (and probably code in many areas).