Dear Jim- I had a French Drain and downspout system put in by a reputable drainage contractor about 5 years ago, which worked perfectly fine until last week’s atmospheric river event. About an hour into the deluge, I started to have water come in through my basement floor- something I had never seen before. Now that these heavy rains are becoming more frequent, I’m worried that this problem might get worse over time. Is there anything I can do to make sure my home stays dry for the long haul?
The good news is that most of the systems we have installed over the last 30 years have performed extremely well, even in these deluges. However, we’re hearing from other contractors who have had serious issues with their installed work, and homeowners experiencing drainage failures they never expected.
So, what’s going wrong, and how can we prevent it? Here is a summary of what we have been observing and the improvements we’ve been implementing to add additional security for our clients.
Drainage Systems Need to Handle More Water Than Ever
Recent extreme storms are pushing drainage systems beyond their limits, overwhelming capacity and allowing water to seep into homes in unexpected ways. We’ve seen cases where excess water backs up under floors, overflows through area drains and entry landings, and causes poorly percolating drain fields to fail. To combat this, larger drainage pipes with dual exit points can improve flow, while additional sump pumps at key low points—such as basement entry doors on downslope homes—can provide an extra layer of protection if the primary system is overwhelmed. Overflow protection is essential to prevent backups and ensure long-term drainage reliability.
The water-based backup pump is our secret weapon.
Sump Pumps Can Fail In Many Ways
Sump pumps are a critical line of defense against water intrusion, but they are not without their vulnerabilities. One common issue is GFI outlets, which power sump pumps but are prone to failure when exposed to moisture—a major risk during heavy storms. To address this, we now install water-based backup pumps that don’t rely on electricity, ensuring continued protection in basements. Another frequent failure point is check valves, which prevent water from flowing back into the sump well. When these valves get stuck—either open or closed—the pump may run continuously or fail to activate when needed.
And fine clay particles and roots can pass through even tiny voids in drainage systems, bypassing standard filtration methods and getting into our sump pump systems and blocking discharge lines to the street. We are currently exploring improved solutions to better capture soil and debris to enhance long-term reliability.
It’s also important to remember that sump pumps are not a substitute for perimeter drainage. Installed inside the home, they only remove water that has already made its way in, often running excessively because they sit at the lowest point in the structure. For homes on downslopes, sump pumps (or drain fields) are necessary for external drains as part of a comprehensive perimeter drainage system, as our goal is to keep water out of the home entirely to protect both the foundation and interior.
Clay (soil) particles are extremely small and can clog drainage systems.
Regular Maintenance Is Crucial
Extreme weather is driving us to continuously improve our drainage systems, with a special focus on sump pump reliability in finished basements—where failure is simply not an option. To ensure long-term protection, we now recommend twice-yearly inspections, including a thorough cleaning and performance check to keep systems running smoothly. As we develop and implement new safety measures, our priority remains providing homeowners with the most effective, long-lasting drainage solutions available.
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Conversations with Your Local Contractor is a feature by Jim Gardner of Jim Gardner Construction Inc. (with articles finessed by Kyra Gardner). If you have residential, homeowner questions OR ideas for an article you’d like Jim to highlight, please send an email to jim@jimgardnerconstruction.com.
Jim is a long-time Piedmont resident and has been doing foundations drainage and basement renovation in your neighborhood since 1983. To schedule an estimate or for more information please go to our website at jimgardnerconstruction.com.
