Protecting your basement from the perils of water is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the longevity of your home. As water creeps close to the outer walls of your foundation, your house faces two significant hazards:

• Infiltration of groundwater through cracks or porous material, allowing your basement to flood.
• Hydrostatic pressure that pushes against the exterior walls of your foundation, potentially leading to cracks or other damage.

Dealing with this buildup of water in the soil around your home is crucial. One of the most popular options for protecting a basement is a French drain system. Keep reading to discover several reasons why so many homeowners opt to protect their homes in this way.

French Drains Are Cost-Effective

Let's face it: foundation repairs are expensive. Depending on the severity of the damage, repairing a home's foundation can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Hydrostatic pressure from a buildup of groundwater is a common cause of foundation failure, and a French drain system can easily help to alleviate this problem. With the average French drain system costing less than $30/linear foot, the installation of this type of drain is vastly more cost-effective than waiting for expensive issues to appear.

French Drains Are Non-Destructive

Unlike many other types of drainage systems, French drains require only minimal amounts of disruption to your property. Aside from digging a trench over the actual location of the pipe, no extra landscaping or excavation is needed. Installation is so straightforward and nondestructive that many homeowners choose to install these systems on their own. Whether you do the work yourself or pay a professional contractor, this is a project that can be completed quickly and without the need to tear your lawn apart.

French Drains Are Versatile

Although exterior French drains are the most common option, some homeowners choose to install interior versions instead. Unlike the typical trenched French drain system, an interior system is installed along the bottom of the walls inside the basement. Since this is the location where water is most likely to enter your basement, a French drain system here can collect and redirect water before it floods the entire room. Interior drains can be especially vital if water is building up along the exterior of your foundation in spite of exterior drainage efforts.

French Drains Protect Your Home

It is always crucial to remember that flooding is more than just a nuisance. When water enters your home, it provides moisture that is critical for the growth of mold. Water can also quickly damage drywall, wood framing, and anything else that it manages to accumulate near. Dealing with drainage issues before your basement floods or your foundation cracks is the best way to protect your wallet from potentially disastrous repair costs.

Call a French drain contractor to learn more today.