Interior Drain Systems in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
Waterproofing and Drainage

Interior Drain Systems

A drain along the inside of the footing catches water at the floor joint and carries it to a sump pump before it ever touches your floor.

An interior drain is a channel or perforated pipe set below the basement floor along the inside of the walls. It sits next to the footing, where water collects, and it takes that water to a sump pit instead of letting it rise through the floor joint. Because it works from the inside, it can be installed in any season with no digging in the yard and no damage to landscaping.

The installation begins by opening a strip of concrete along the wall. A shallow trench is dug, a drain channel is laid on the footing with clean gravel and the concrete is patched. The channel slopes to the sump pit, where a pump sends the water outside. We often add a wall seal so water from the block coursing down the inside of the wall is also caught. The result is a hidden system that keeps the floor dry.

Where the water collects

Water rises at the joint between the wall and the floor, which is exactly where the drain is placed.

Clean gravel and slope

Gravel keeps the channel open and the slope carries water steadily toward the sump pit.

Wall drainage

A dimple board or wall seal directs water from the block face down into the drain.

Floor patched neatly

The concrete strip is replaced, and the floor can be finished as before.

What is included

  • Visit and review of the wall and floor
  • Layout of the drain and sump
  • Cutting and trenching along the wall
  • Drain channel, gravel and wall seal
  • Concrete patching
  • Water test and photos
Before and after

See the transformation.

Drag the handle to compare.

After: a basement with a dry floor with an interior drain and a lidded sump pitBefore: a basement with a floor with puddles along the base of the wallBeforeAfter
Wet floor gets a drain. From a floor with puddles along the base of the wall to a dry floor with an interior drain and a lidded sump pit.
Why it works

What you get with Interior Drain Systems

Water caught at the joint

Where it enters.

Works from inside

No yard digging.

Sump connection

Water carried away.

Any season

Install year round.

Protects finishes

Floors stay dry.

Neat floor patch

Clean result.

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How it works

Our process, start to finish.

  1. 01

    Call and schedule

    You tell us what you have noticed, a crack, a damp smell, a sloping floor or standing water, and we set a visit that fits your day.

  2. 02

    Inspect and listen

    We look closely inside and out, measure floors and cracks, check moisture and drainage and take photos of anything of note.

  3. 03

    Plan and explain

    We explain what is urgent, what can wait and what is optional, and give you a written scope and options.

  4. 04

    Prepare and protect

    We lay floor protection, mark utilities, protect landscaping and set up before any digging or drilling begins.

  5. 05

    Do the work

    We install, seal, lift or repair with the right tools and materials, checking our work as we go.

  6. 06

    Finish and walk through

    We clean up, restore the surface, show you what we did, share care tips and set a reminder for your next check.

Questions

Interior Drain Systems FAQ

How does an interior drain work?

It collects water at the footing and slopes to a sump pit where a pump sends it outside.

Will it make a mess?

We cut a narrow strip of concrete and clean up as we go. The patch dries quickly.

Does it need yard digging?

No. It is installed inside the basement.

Is a sump pump required with it?

Usually, since the drain needs somewhere to send the water.

Can I finish the basement over it?

Yes. The drain is under the floor and can be covered or finished.

Next step

Get your free Interior Drain Systems estimate.

Tell us about the project and we will call you back to talk it through.

Or call (615) 357-7797 to talk now.

Tell us about your project

We will call you back to talk it through and set up a visit.

Prefer to talk? Call (615) 357-7797. We never sell your information.

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