Why "Self-Flushing" Drains are Problematic - Waterproofing System Replaced in Lexington, KY
Challenge
Homeowner Frustration Leads to a Second Opinion
A homeowner in Lexington reached out to us after their brand-new waterproofing system failed in less than a year. They had invested in an interior drainage system from another company, expecting a dry, usable basement. Instead, water continued to seep in, and when they tried to use their warranty, the company was nowhere to be found. Understandably frustrated, the homeowners just wanted to finish their basement and move on—but first, they needed a system they could trust.
The Self-Flushing Lie
When our team inspected the setup, we discovered that the existing drainage system was designed with large interior drains that sat next to the footing, several inches deeper than the slab. This type of design is often marketed as a “self-cleaning” or “self-flushing” system, but that term can be misleading. If a drain is “self-cleaning,” it means the manufacturer expects mud and sediment to enter the drain in the first place. And where does that debris end up? Right in the sump pump. Over time, this buildup can clog components, reduce pump efficiency, and eventually cause total system failure—exactly what had happened here.
Why Deeper Drains Aren’t Better
While a deeper drain might sound like a better idea, it can actually cause more harm than good. By sitting deeper in the soil, these systems are more likely to draw in sediment as groundwater naturally carries fine material toward the drain. Over time, this can lead to soil loss beneath the foundation, contributing to settlement or cracking.
Deeper systems also remove more groundwater than necessary. In some cases, this can cause the sump pump to run constantly, even when there’s no active leak. Not only does that waste energy, but it also wears out the pump far sooner than intended. Our WaterGuard system sits at the correct height—directly on top of the footing—where it intercepts seepage before it reaches the floor, without pulling unnecessary water from the surrounding soil.
Less Invasive Installation
Another major difference is how invasive the installation process is. Deeper systems require contractors to chip out nearly a foot of concrete around the entire perimeter of the basement, making the project slower, messier, and more disruptive. Our WaterGuard system requires removing only about six inches of concrete—almost half the effort. That smaller footprint allows for a cleaner, faster installation and keeps more of the original slab intact.
Solution
WaterGuard Installation
Our crew began the project by installing a full perimeter WaterGuard system. WaterGuard is a subfloor drainage channel that rests neatly on top of the footing, rather than beside it, ensuring it stays above the mud zone. The system captures any seepage at the cove joint—the point where the wall meets the floor—and directs it straight into the sump liner. Each section was connected, leveled, and surrounded by clean stone before being sealed back under fresh concrete. The end result is a clean, serviceable drainage system that won’t clog with soil or sediment over time.
TripleSafe Sump Pump Replacement
Along with replacing the failed drainage line, we upgraded the homeowner’s sump pump system. Their old unit simply wasn’t powerful enough to handle heavy water flow during storms. We installed our TripleSafe sump pump system, which features three separate pumps within a single liner. The primary pump handles everyday drainage, a secondary pump kicks in automatically during high water events, and a third, battery-powered pump provides backup protection during outages. This setup ensures the basement stays dry no matter the conditions outside.
Finishing the Basement with Waterproof Flooring
Because the goal was to finish the basement, the homeowners also asked about new flooring. We recommended our ThermalDry plank flooring—fully waterproof and designed with a built-in thermal break to make the floor warmer underfoot. Still cautious after their last experience, they wanted to see how the new waterproofing system would perform first. After the next heavy rain, the basement stayed completely dry. Confident that they finally had a system that worked, they scheduled us to return and install the flooring.
What started as a failed waterproofing project ended with a basement that’s dry, comfortable, and ready to finish. This Lexington home is a great reminder that not all interior waterproofing systems are created equal—design matters, and the details make all the difference.
