Why Is There Mud Coming Out of the Interior French Drain System?

Interior Foundation Walls

• Water can exert enormous pressure when enough of it is present, and it forces itself though the smallest cracks or porous material such as concrete. French drains are installed along the edges of the interior foundation walls, just under the floor. Originally made from clay, they are now often made from plastic. They have seep holes in the drain tubes that collect the water as it comes into the home and then funnels it back outside to a lower area or to a sump pump to be pumped out.

Poor Installation

• French drains today are laid on a bed of gravel with landscaping fabric woven into the system to prevent dirt, mud and debris from entering the seep holes. They are often covered with the cement that forms the floor to protect them from damage or contamination. This makes them a permanent addition to the dwelling. A contractor taking shortcuts may not be as diligent in the laying down of the drain, and older drains may be failing. Both can lead to mud entering the drain.

Breaking Clay

• If the gravel bed or landscaping fabric are missing, and the drain lies directly on the soil, it becomes much easier for the wet mud to seep into the drain along with the water. A poorly covered drain allows dirt and other debris to fall from above to mix into the water. Older tile construction may be partially collapsed under the floor, which easily allows contamination of the drain.

Digging It Out

• If the drain continues to do its job of keeping the basement level dry then a little mud will not hurt the home. If the mud becomes so excessive in the drain so that the water no longer flows freely, water can begin to back up into the home. If the drain is underneath a concrete floor, the concrete edging along the floor must be broken up and the drain examined.