American Drain

How it works

The same foundation, two ways to drain it. Switch views, tap any label, and follow the water step by step.

How it works

Two ways to drain water away from a foundation wall

Compare a conventional gravel-and-pipe drain with the American Drain panel system in the same foundation. Follow the water, then see how each one can be inspected.

A Conventional gravel-and-pipe drain
Cross-section: conventional gravel-and-pipe foundation drain Backfill soil against a coated foundation wall. A perforated pipe sits in a gravel envelope beside the footer. Water moves through the soil and gravel to reach the pipe. Sill plate Foundation wall Slab or crawl space floor Footer Backfill soil Wall coating Cleanout, if installed Filter fabric (varies) Gravel Perforated pipe
B American Drain panel system
Cross-section: American Drain panel system at a foundation wall A perforated drainage panel held off the damp-proofed wall by spacers creates an open air space. An insulation strip caps the panel at grade. Near the footer the panel turns out over a perforated pipe. A cleanout riser behind the section reaches the surface. Sill plate Foundation wall Slab or crawl space floor Footer Insulation cap Spacers (standoffs) Perforated drainage panel 1.5 in. air space Damp-proof coating Cleanout riser Perforated pipe Gravel bed

Illustrative cross-section, not to scale. Based on American Drain detail drawings. Site conditions, local code and approved installation instructions govern actual installations. This is not a site-specific engineering recommendation.

Shows what this part does below the diagrams.

Follow the water

  1. Water soaks into the backfill

    Rain and surface runoff that are not directed away from the house soak into the looser fill soil next to the foundation.

  2. It moves toward the drain

    A: water seeps through the soil, then any filter fabric and the gravel, to reach the pipe. B: water reaches the perforated panel and drops into the open air space between the panel and the wall.

  3. The pipe carries it away

    In both designs, a perforated pipe at the footer collects the water and carries it to an outlet, such as a daylight discharge or sump, depending on the site.

  4. Checking on it later

    A: inspection usually depends on cleanouts, if they were installed, and a drain camera; otherwise it requires excavation. B: a section of the insulation cap can be lifted to look down the air space, and cleanouts at corners allow flushing from the surface.

Design comparison

Describes design features only. Conventional drains vary widely in materials, fabric, depth and cleanouts; a well-designed, well-installed conventional drain can perform for many years.

FeatureA. Conventional gravel and pipeB. American Drain panel system
Where water is collectedAt the pipe, after passing through soil and gravelAlong the full panel height, into an open air space at the wall
What sits against the wallBackfill soil over a wall coatingSpacers and an open 1.5 in. air space over a damp-proofed wall
Inspection accessThrough cleanouts if installed; otherwise excavationRemovable insulation cap at grade plus cleanout risers
Routine maintenanceFlush or camera through cleanouts where presentRun water into the farthest cleanouts and confirm flow at the outlet
Typical applicationsFoundations, yards, fieldsFoundations and crawl spaces; linear yard and driveway runoff (separate details)
Depends onSoil type, fabric choice, gravel cleanliness, slope, outletCorrect panel assembly, backfill in lifts, slope, outlet, cap left accessible
Sources
  • Diagram A traced from American Drain drawing "Typical French Drain – Foundation Drain Installation" (2024-11, Layer 14).
  • Diagram B traced from "American Drain – Foundation Drain Installation" (2024-11, Layer 9).
  • Materials and maintenance: American Drain Foundation Waterproofing System Technical Specifications, Rev. 12-07-21.
Flashlight beam across a dry basement wall and floor

Check it with a garden hose

  1. Run water into the farthest cleanoutsStart at the cleanouts farthest from the outlet.
  2. Watch the outletWater should arrive steadily at the daylight outlet or sump.
  3. Look down the air spaceLift a section of the insulation cap to see the gap against the wall.

Guideline from the American Drain technical specification. Follow your installer's maintenance plan.