When Designing and Installing, the Details Count
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To stop water from entering basements, a trench drain is but one part of a system. The water from roofs and all paved surfaces, such as patios, sidewalks and driveways, must not be allowed to discharge or collect near the house. This water must be collected and piped to the lowest part of the building lot away from the house.
There has to be positive drainage away from the house foundation. The building code, which is a minimum standard, states that in the first 10 feet of horizontal distance from a foundation, the grade must drop six inches. This is not enough, in my opinion. It is better to have at least one foot of drop. What's more, I frequently see landscapers or homeowners who pile mulch around foundation plantings. This mulch creates dams and can cause ponding of rainwater around a foundation.
A trench drain can be installed with a powered ditching machine and some strong people who can cart away the soil and bring back gravel to fill the trench. If you want to use powered equipment for the whole job, visit a tool-rental business. There are wonderful miniature loaders that can move both soil and gravel with minimal disturbance to your yard. Be sure to have all underground utilities marked before you dig.
