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Dry Basement
In a time when homeowners are taking steps to protect the value of their investments, many are considering the advantages of internal drainage systems, especially now that they've become much easier to install and maintain. The benefits are many and a proactive approach is far more affordable than waiting until the damage is done before taking action.
The Benefits
Clearly, the most important benefit is a better air quality in your home. Damp and dark areas are perfect breeding grounds for mold and other bacteria that contaminate the same air our families breathe every day. The potential for damage to your home's foundation is ever-present as well. By having an internal drainage system installed now, you've potentially saved thousands of dollars in one of the most expensive areas of home maintenance and repair. A damaged foundation can actually prevent a homeowner from selling the property. If the damage is severe enough, it can actually be deemed uninhabitable by health officials. Any wood that comes in contact with the poorly drained area will most certainly decay as well. Again, the repairs can run in the thousands of dollars if the problem is not resolved.
The Logistics
If you've determined an internal drain system is the best solution for your needs, you'll most likely want to call in a professional who can help you determine which drain system is best suited for your home. It's important to note, however, you will need to simultaneously rid the area of all mold that's already there; otherwise, you run the risk of it continuing its growth and contamination. The system will prevent any new growth, but you defeat your purpose if you don't eliminate what's already there.
The most affordable method is installing the drain pipes along the floor above the concrete. It's usually recommended for those homes with concrete walls and floors; however, it isn't advised for those properties that have masonry walls. For these houses, an interior drain channel where the flooring is removed along the edge of the slabs is better suited for masonry since it will allow access to the blocks just under the surface. Holes will need to be drilled into the masonry below the floor to ensure continued drainage.
Because accessibility is easy, maintenance and service becomes much easier through the years, not to mention the ease of installment.
Although these aren't "Saturday afternoon" projects, successful completion can ensure your home's value isn't jeopardized and will greatly reduce permanent damage to the home's foundation. Again, a contractor should be hired to complete projects such as these since careful attention will need to be paid to the placement of the systems as well as the clean up of any hazardous mold that's already begun to grow.
With so many available studies that indicate just how damaging mold and bacteria growth is to humans, this goes beyond just protecting your financial investment, when you and your family's health is at stake, there's simply nothing more important. | 
