Stop basement water at the source. We give it a path out — for good.
I'm Ready For A Free Quote
Thank You For Your Submission!
A team member will be reaching out to you shortly.
If any of these look familiar, water is finding its way in — and it won't stop on its own.
That dark, wet line where the floor meets the wall means water is pushing through the joint under pressure. Paint and sealant won't hold it back. The pressure is the problem.
If your basement takes on water every time it rains, the soil around your foundation is saturated with nowhere to drain. The water follows the easiest path — into your home.
That white, chalky buildup is called efflorescence. It means water is moving through your concrete and leaving mineral deposits behind. The stain is cosmetic. The moisture behind it is not.
A damp, musty smell means moisture is trapped with no way out. Mold starts growing on damp surfaces within 48 hours. If you can smell it, the problem is already past the early stage.
A french drain system gives water a controlled path to follow. Instead of building pressure against your foundation and forcing its way in, the water flows into a drainage channel, through gravel and perforated pipe, and into a sump pit where a sump pump pushes it away from your home. The water still comes — but now it goes where you tell it to go.
An interior french drain runs along the inside perimeter of your basement floor. We cut a narrow trench at the base of the wall, lay perforated pipe in washed gravel, and route it to a sump pit. This is the most common solution for basement waterproofing — especially when water enters through the floor-wall joint or floor cracks. Most installs take two to three days with minimal disruption.
An exterior french drain is installed along the outside of your foundation wall. A trench is dug down to the footing, lined with filter fabric, and filled with drainage gravel and perforated pipe. This intercepts groundwater before it ever touches the wall. It's a bigger job — but for severe water intrusion or homes where exterior access allows it, this is the most complete fix.
For homes on a slope where runoff flows toward the foundation, a curtain drain intercepts that water uphill before it reaches the house. It's a shallower system designed to handle surface water and shallow groundwater. Sometimes the best solution is stopping the water before it gets close.
Our Process
We walk your basement and exterior to find exactly where water is entering and why. We check the walls, floor, floor-wall joint, grading, and gutter discharge. You'll know what's happening before we recommend anything.
Every home is different. We map the drain path, determine interior or exterior placement, size the sump pit and pump, and plan around your utilities. You get a written scope of work before we start.
We cut the trench, lay washed drainage gravel and perforated pipe at the correct slope, install the sump pit and pump, and seal everything. The system is tested with water before we close up.
We run water through the entire system to confirm proper flow to the sump pit. Then we walk you through how the system works, what to expect, and what maintenance keeps it running long-term.
We tell you what you need — and what you don't. If a partial drain along one wall solves the problem, we're not going to sell you a full perimeter system. If your issue is a grading problem outside, we'll tell you that before recommending drainage work inside. You get an honest assessment based on what we see in your basement, not a sales pitch built around the most expensive option.
Every french drain we install is built to last. We use washed drainage gravel — not pea gravel that clogs. We wrap pipe in filter fabric to keep sediment out. We grade every inch of pipe to the correct slope so water flows instead of sitting. The details that make a drain system work in year ten are the same details cheap installs skip in week one.
You get a written estimate before any work begins, a clear timeline, and a warranty that covers what we install. No hidden charges. No surprises on the final bill. If something unexpected comes up during the job, we stop and explain your options before adding anything to the scope.
Get My Free Quote
Cost depends on how much drain is needed, whether it's interior or exterior, and what soil conditions exist around the foundation. A partial interior drain along one wall costs less than a full perimeter system. An exterior drain costs more because of the excavation involved. We provide a written estimate after inspecting your basement so you know the exact scope and price before any work begins.
Most interior french drain installations take two to three days. A full perimeter system may take three to five days. Exterior french drains take longer because of excavation and backfill — typically four days to two weeks depending on the scope. We give you a clear timeline before the job starts.
An interior french drain is installed inside the basement along the perimeter of the floor. It collects water that has already entered and routes it to a sump pump. An exterior french drain is installed outside the foundation wall and intercepts water before it reaches the wall. One manages water after entry. The other stops it from getting in. The right choice depends on where the water is coming from and what access is available.
Interior french drains need a sump pump. The drain collects water and routes it to a sump pit. The pump then pushes the water out and away from the house through a discharge line. Without a pump, the water has nowhere to go. We recommend a battery backup sump pump so the system works even during power outages — which tend to happen during the same storms that bring the most water.
A properly installed french drain system lasts decades. The pipe and gravel have no moving parts and don't wear out. The filter fabric prevents clogging. The main maintenance item is the sump pump, which typically lasts five to ten years before needing replacement. Testing the pump every few months and keeping the discharge line clear is all it takes to keep the system running.
Bros Basement Waterproofing provides foundation repair across all of our service areas. Schedule your free inspection to find out exactly what your home needs.