Visible Perimeter Channel Drain

[Tom R]

Doubt if that's what it's called, - - but I'm talking about an open, exposed drain channel that's along the outside edge of the basement slab (at the foot of the block walls), - - can one be installed (or should I say removed) after the fact (in an old house)??

Customers basement floor gets water from several different areas, - - and although she has a sump pump, - - the floor is fairly level and the water's not really getting there.

She says she's even OK with a few channels cut 'anywhere' in the floor, - - but I'm not gettin' into that.

[VALENT]

I'm sure it can be done and I have no doubt you-TomR- are the man to do it. I have no experience whatsoever in this field however.

[Tom R]

Hmm, - - thanks for the 'vote of confidence', - - I'm sure I can do it, too, - - one way or the other, - - but hopin' somebody had some experience with this, - - maybe a few tricks to offer, - - the lady doesn't want to go the 'whole route', - - she just wants channels cut in. Anyone??

[Sparks]

I'm no expert either, but I have owned a few old houses like this. Why not just get a circ. saw with a concrete blade, tilt the blade and cut away channeling the water into the sump pit. I don't think this would be too much work or too difficult considering the channel wouldn't need to be deep.

[Tom R]

Thanks, Sparks, - - yeah, I guess I'm picturin' a nice, neat, square channel, - - like maybe 1" wide by about 1 1/2" deep, - - I guess if necessary I could cut a V-groove (if that's what you mean). It would probably end up being about 120 lineal feet of channel.

Reason I'm thinking 'neat-and-smooth' is so the channel will stay clean on it's own.

I was thinkin' somethin' more on the lines of 'scoring', then 'jackhammerin', - - less silica dust an' all, - - but I guess I'd end up having to actually 'separate' the slab, then repair.

Easy enough to do, - - I own both a jackhammer and an electric cut-off saw, - - but I'm not sure if this method would create other problems/movement.

[Sparks]

Tom, the old houses I've owned the channel wasn't very deep at all, maybe 3/4" to 1". I think they were both shaped in a V. I'm sure the jack-hammer method would work and all but I would use the circ. saw. My Dewalt saw with a good quality concrete blade would make short work of this, wearing a dust mask of course. Just seems like this would be easier and wouldn't require any repair work at all afterwards. If it were me, I would also advise the owner that periodic cleaning of the channel would be required, I always had to clean mine once in a while because they'll collect dirt and dust no matter what.

[Tom R]

Yeah, Sparks, maybe that's the ticket, - - your way sure sounds 'safer' in the long run.

How far away from the walls were the channels??

[Sparks]

I would say from 2-4 inches around the entire perimeter. I have seen these channels running through the center as well in other houses but mine were just on the perimeter. Seemed to work well if they were kept clean.

[Tom R]

Thanks. That's probably how I'll do it.