Basement Waterproofing - Why Formerly Dry Basements Start to Leak? | Complete Basement Systems of MN

In order to keep water from building up around the foundation, French drains or weeping tiles are installed in a bed of gravel by the foundation footing to collect ground water and divert it away from the house.

French drains are pieces of generic perforated PVC or corrugated pipes that lay buried deep into the ground. Overtime, however, French drains tend to clog with mud and silt, or the gravel around them will clog so the water can't reach the pipe.

As a result water will accumulate in the backfill, and this is why formerly dry basements all of a sudden will start to leak.