How to Install a Perimeter Drain | This Old House

Kevin O’Connor sees how Erik Kaminski installs a perimeter drain.

Kevin O’Connor sees how Erik Kaminski installs the perimeter drain, which will keep groundwater away from the North Shore house.

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This Old House is America’s first and most trusted home improvement show. Each season, we renovate two different historic homes—one step at a time—featuring quality craftsmanship and the latest in modern technology. We demystify home improvement and provide ideas and information so, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring out contractors, you’ll know the right way to do things or the questions to ask. Our experts including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor give you the tools you need to protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Install a Perimeter Drain | This Old House

[luatala]

I think Kevin is the BEST host ever...he's got such a natural knack for being so quick in asking all the right questions and breaking things down so that a non-builder i.e. me, can understand.

[bobmangino]

I gotta say, I was a little uneasy watching this two minutes into it and started reading the comments. Whew, a wealth of knowledge, opinions, and advice down there, and most of it aligned with what I was thinking. Thanks, folks!

[tracyholmes]

No paint on the counter weight, real professional.

[ptg]

Fabric seems skimpy ? How long will that last before it disintegrated due to time / weather / soil conditions ?

[raekc]

Thank. Was helpful but was hoping to see an existing old house done. I have an old victorian - its on a slightly raised foundation but rain still gets in basement from downspouts. I have to fix them I know but wanted to also tile around perimeter. Hoping to see an old house down that way.

[JoeDeGuidopastorforchrist]

I enjoyed seeing the Australian sheep dog just mosy by with his ball.

[deefdragon]

that looked like the skimpiest piece of fabric over that install. Last one I saw placed had fabric up the wall, and another looked like it basically wrapped the gravel. No infiltration from any side. Im not sure what is the best method, but that single piece just felt like too little.

[jeffreyhinman]

Watched this since I was a little kid, usually on the weekends

[martin_metal_]

This old house is usually very good quality repair and build, but this is a very clumsy drain job. I don't know if it's still common in the US to use the black pipe, but haven't seen them in quite some time in Canada.

[sammonte]

This must be a classic. I mean, no drain board, ol school tar water proofing, no sock over the weeping tile, sloppy install of rigid insulation... yeah, looks like from the 70s. Still can’t figure out how they used nowadays host though.

[alonzomartii]

Is always nice to see Kevin getting his hands dirtey.

[shonuffisthemaster]

they really need to do a double wrap of landscape fabric with 2 layers of gravel, that pipe will eventually clog the way.they have it.

[stevenfoster]

Do you have to slope the pipe as it runs along the footing or is level good enough?
I realize you need a good slope running away from the house.

[paulwarnow]

the perforated pipe is above the Footer, when I believe it should be below the footer. If there is any possibility for water to leak into the basement where the footer meets the wall, water will leak into the basement.

[seanme]

They show perforations all around the pipe, I've always been told to use 4 inch pvc pipe with 3 rows of holes which are placed on the bottom. Also with the pipe shown being corrugated its going to build up fine particles over time and plug itself. Its a good idea to run two pipes, perforated to drain the foundation, and solid to drain your roof (if surface run isn't viable).

[stevengao]

thanks for this video, does anyone know if all those rocks and dirt, their weight gona flatten or crush that black drain pipe ? thanks

[AkrivisCricketClub]

Simple to understand, to the point and no drag…great video. Thank you

[EnviousGenome]

Are you supposed to compact the ground next to the footer below the foundation wall?

[zhugeliang]

how deep is the pipe and gravel compared to the base of the foundation?

[turdferguson]

Flex pop garbage, should use rigid PVC with holes in it. Also, the drain should be at the very bottom of the foot or footer got, not two or 3 inches of gravel underneath it. That’s just a place for water to stand.