While other homeowners worry about how to entertain their kids (or themselves) on rainy days, you might have much bigger concerns if your basement is prone to flooding. Water ingress in your basement can lead to mold, wood rot and structural damage, so installing flood protection is essential.

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When it comes to basement flood protection, there are two main players: French drains and sump pumps.

How Does a French Drain Work?

A French drain is a perforated pipe that directs water away from your home, preventing it from damaging its foundation. Installing a French drain also protects your basement against flooding and prevents standing water from accumulating in problem areas, such as your yard or driveway.

Homeowners install French drains in downward-sloping trenches to encourage smooth drainage. The trench directs the water into an area where it's less likely to damage building materials and landscaping. Most people add a layer of pebbles or gravel over the drainage pipe to disguise it and help it blend in with its surroundings.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

Sump pumps are mechanical pumps that remove water from a flooded basement. The pump sits within a sump pit at the lowest point of the basement slab. When water enters your basement, it flows into the sump pit, activating a float switch. The float switch turns on your sump pump when the water rises above a set level.

When rising water activates the switch, your sump pump's impeller pulls water into the pump and forces it through a discharge line. This line carries the water outside your home to drain. The sump pump turns off automatically when the water level drops.

French Drains and Sump Pumps: Better Together

Installing a French drain and sump pump together provides double protection against water-related damage. Ideally, your French drain will direct rainwater away from your home before it enters your basement, but it may not be able to cope with extremely heavy rainfall.

When your French drain system becomes overwhelmed, your sump pump will kick in to prevent your basement from flooding. Therefore, installing both systems can provide extra peace of mind if you live in an area with severe or unpredictable weather conditions.

French Drain Vs. Sump Pump

Whether you can install a French drain without a sump pump depends on the weather conditions where you live and the characteristics of your property. A French drain may be sufficient to deal with minor surface water that doesn't enter your property, but you'll likely need to add a sump pump if you notice water entering your basement.

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Pros and Cons of Installing a French Drain Without a Sump Pump

The primary advantage of installing a French drain without a sump pump is cost. According to LawnStarter, installing a French drain costs around $5,000 (CAD 6,803) on average, and most people pay between $1,650 and $12,250 (CAD 2,245 and CAD 16,668) for materials and professional installation.

You could even consider installing the drain yourself for around $700 (CAD 952), although it's worth paying a pro unless you're DIY-savvy. Incorrect installation could prevent your French drain from functioning correctly, putting your home at risk of flooding.

While these prices may sound high, adding a sump pump to the equation increases the cost by around $600 to $2,500 (CAD 816 to CAD 3,302) for a new pump and professional installation. The most expensive models can cost up to $4,000 (CAD 5,443) to purchase and install.

Another potential benefit is that French drains don't rely on an electricity supply. If your area experiences frequent power outages during bad weather, a sump pump may not activate when you need it. Meanwhile, a French drain will remove water from your property regardless of your power supply status.

However, French drains also have drawbacks. You'll need to maintain your drains regularly by removing debris and roots. Without frequent maintenance, French drains can become clogged and overflow, allowing water into your basement. They also require significant excavation to install and may not work well in heavy clay and other challenging soil types.

Finally, a French drain alone won't provide enough rainwater protection in certain areas. If you're unsure whether to install a French drain, a sump pump or both, a waterproofing professional can recommend the best solution for your home and local climate.

Basement flooding encourages mold growth and puts your home's foundation at risk. Knowing whether a French drain, a sump pump, or both, will be needed to prevent water ingress is important.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.