This is the same as the exterior footing drain from the last page, but done on the inside. This second approach is called an interior footing drain. With this approach a trench is jackhammered into the floor and a perforated pipe and stone bed are installed. Then the floor is re-concreted.

Can you see how this drain is the same as the exterior one? And we have the same potential clogging problems as the exterior system. Soil washes in over the years and clogs the system. And then you have to consider that all the soil that washes in washed out from under your foundation. So structural concerns come up. In fact most of the people that call us already have an interior footing drain.

With this method as with any waterproofing system of this type, a gap is left between the floor and wall to allow any incidental seepage from the wall to flow into the drain.

This seepage could be from a window well, a wall crack, a pipe penetration or even just condensation. But another challenge with this method is keeping debris out so it doesn�t clog this gap. Plus the gap doesn�t look too hot when it�s done. It�s something that can be overcome, but we have to consider it.