Basement Waterproofing Discharge Line Characteristics

Discharge Line system components

The weather this Spring has been wet and if your basement is anything like my basement, it probably has more water in it than it should. Currently, my block foundation walls are leaking, the joint between my foundation wall and slab is seeping with water and the basement just smells musty. I’m concerned about mold growth and the fact that I don’t trust that my basement as storage space.

Now that I have decided that I need a dry basement, I’ve been studying up on what a basement waterproofing system consists of and how it should work best.

My research focused first on what happens when they get the water to leave my basement - this is called the discharge line or discharge system. Here’s what I learned:

A good discharge system is the most important component of a basement waterproofing system. Here are the four most important parts that make this a winning discharge system:

  • Rigid Discharge Line: The Healthy Spaces basement waterproofing team only installs rigid discharge lines because those won't deform or crush during the backfilling and tamping process. They are more durable and do not require replacement line old style lines.
  • IceGuard Installation: The Healthy Spaces team has installed an IceGuard where the discharge lines exit the house because a discharge line should never freeze. IceGuards prevent that from happening.
  • Distance from House: This discharge line is over 10' from the house's foundation wall before it discharges the water. Why? Lines that void too close to the foundation just allow the groundwater to seep back in and refill the basement.
  • Lawnscapes: The Healthy Spaces crew will tell you that a good discharge line needs to void safely and effectively and the bast way to do that is to install a Lawnscape. Lawnscapes keep out debris and other clogs while creating a safe, durable cover for the end of the discharge line.

If your basement waterproofing solution does not include the discharge system as outlined above, it’s a good idea to contact Healthy Spaces today for a free estimate!

About the author

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Cassi Sherman Henes
Cassi holds over 15 years experience in the construction, real estate, and education industries. She is certified in foundation repair technology, soil dynamics, and system design from the Foundation Supportworks Institute.

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