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If the time has come to install a French drain in your yard, basement, or crawl space, there's a solid chance you've been battling water damage—or the threat of water damage—around these areas. Thankfully, proper drainage should allow you to redesign these areas of your home without the fear of being inundated during the next storm. If you've had to remove a portion of your lawn for an exterior French or curtain drain, consider reseeding your lawn to patch up the spot. You can also take this opportunity to enhance your foundation waterproofing methods or even start thinking about finishing your basement .

Whether to waterproof your basement from the interior or exterior depends on several factors, including your budget.

Exterior waterproofing is generally considered the superior method because it stops water at the source, preventing it from seeping into and damaging your basement walls. This approach offers the most protection, making it ideal if you use your basement for storage.

By contrast, interior waterproofing is often less expensive and requires less labor because the area is more accessible.

For maximum protection against water leakage and moisture, applying waterproofing measures to both the inside and outside is the best solution. However, if you must choose only one, stopping water from the outside is the most effective approach to preserve your foundation and prevent damage.

Thankfully, you do have a few sump pump backup options in case it fails. One option is a battery-powered backup sump pump. Another option is using a portable backup generator as a power supply for your sump pump. Unlike a battery-powered backup which has limited power, a generator can run around the clock for as long as you need it. 

Or you can opt for a water-powered backup pump, which uses your home’s water supply as a source of power. However, this may not be the best option if you find your house frequently has low water pressure.

A sewage ejector pump is necessary if you have any plumbing fixtures, such as a bathroom, laundry room, or sink, located below the level of your home's main sewer line. Standard plumbing relies on gravity to drain wastewater and solid waste into the municipal sewer system or a septic tank. For fixtures below this level, like those in a basement, gravity cannot move the waste upward. The ejector pump provides the force needed to pump the sewage up to the main line. Without one, wastewater from below-ground fixtures would back up, potentially causing a sewage overflow and flooding. If all of your plumbing is on the main floor or higher, gravity is sufficient and an ejector pump is not needed.