Collage of exterior and interior design

Choosing the Best Footing Drain System for Your Home

If you’ve ever had water in your basement, you know how frustrating it can be. From mold growth to foundation cracks, water damage causes serious problems if not handled the right way. That’s where footing drainage systems come in. These systems help move water away from your foundation to keep your basement dry.

At Northeast Basement Solutions, we install and service both interior and exterior footing drain systems. We’ll help you choose the best option for your home and make sure it’s installed correctly. Let’s break down the difference between the two and how each can help protect your home.

978-678-4080

What's The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Footing Drain Systems?

Both systems help keep your basement dry, but they work in different ways depending on where they’re installed and how they move water.

Installing interior footing drain

Interior Footing Drain Systems

Installed inside the basement, these drains sit where the floor meets the wall. They catch water that gets in and direct it to a sump pump to be pumped outside.

Advantages

  • No damage to your yard or exterior
  • Faster, cleaner installation
  • Easy to maintain and repair
  • Works well with sump pumps
  • Less likely to clog

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Water must enter your basement before it’s redirected
Exterior drainage

Exterior Footing Drain Systems

These drains are placed outside your home, along the bottom of the foundation walls. Their goal is to stop water before it enters your basement.

Advantages

  • Blocks water from entering in the first place
  • Common in new construction
  • Helps protect your foundation from long-term damage

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Requires digging around your home
  • Can disturb landscaping, walkways, or patios
  • More expensive and harder to fix
  • Can clog over time with dirt or roots
Interior unfinished drain with drainage rocks

Why Homeowners Choose Interior Footing Drains

Interior systems are a popular choice because they’re simple, cost-effective, and long-lasting. Here’s why many homeowners choose them:

  • Quick Installation: No heavy digging or landscape damage
  • Easy to Maintain: Repairs are faster and more efficient
  • Durable Performance: Less clogging from dirt and tree roots
  • Works With Sump Pumps: For better water removal and protection
  • Stops Pooling Water: Keeps your basement floors dry and safe

Professional Drainage System Services in Portsmouth & Rye

Collage of frozen and clogged pipe

Northeast Basement Solutions offers basement drainage and waterproofing solutions across New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Whether you're dealing with a wet basement or looking to prevent future problems, we’re here to help. Our services include:

Installing basement drainage system

Keeping Your Basement Dry Takes More Than Just Footing Drains!

While footing drains play a key role in basement protection, they’re just one part of the complete waterproofing system we offer at Northeast Basement Solutions.

We provide full basement waterproofing services, including dehumidification, leaking wall crack repairs, and vapor brite wall barriers to block moisture. These work together with our interior and exterior drainage systems to keep your basement dry and your foundation protected.

Beyond waterproofing, we install, repair, and maintain sump pumps to move water out quickly and prevent flooding. For crawl spaces, we offer encapsulation, waterproofing, and structural repairs to stop humidity and improve indoor air quality.

Call us today for premium basement waterproofing and drainage solutions for your home!

Don't just take our word for it! Check out our customer reviews and see why we're the trusted choice across New England.

Keep Your Basement Dry with Expert Drainage Solutions from Northeast Basement Solutions

Water in your basement can lead to serious damage if left untreated. Whether you need a new drainage system or help with repairs, we’re ready to step in and solve the problem.

We’ll inspect your home, recommend the right solution, and provide professional installation from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more about our drainage system services and schedule your free inspection.

978-678-4080

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between interior and exterior footing drains?
Interior drains are installed inside the basement, while exterior drains go around the outside. Both move water away from the foundation, but exterior drains prevent water from entering, while interior drains handle water that’s already inside.
How long does it take to install a footing drain system?
Installation varies by system and layout. Interior drains take 1-2 days, while exterior systems may take longer due to excavation.
Will an interior footing drain damage my yard?
No, interior drains are installed inside your basement, so no digging or yard damage is involved.
How do I maintain my footing drain system?
Regular maintenance is key. Clean the system, check for clogs, and make sure sump pumps are working. We offer services to keep your system in top shape year-round.

Why Customers Trust Us With Their Basement

Northeast Basement Solutions
  • 20+ Years of Experience
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Savings of Up to 50% Over Other Methods
  • A Transferable Lifetime Warranty for Basement Waterproofing Systems
  • We Work With Your Insurance
  • FREE Written Estimates and Inspections, and Fast Installation
Read What Our Customers Are Saying

We pride ourselves with the best customer service in the industry

  • Brentwood, NH
  • 5 Stars

The sump pump installation was done as a first step of a larger basement remodel project. The job was done quickly, done right, and the team made sure to explain what they were doing and why at every step, including a run through of how the system worked and what to expect once it was in. I have since hired Northeast Basement Solutions to do the full project and am having the same good experience thus far. Highest recommendation

  • Lowell, MA
  • 5 Stars

Mark and Miguel are A+ professionals! We used Northeast Basement Solutions for a foundation issue in our new home. They not only came in with a very reasonable quote, they started on the project quickly and took the time to educate us on several things we asked about. They were very responsive and communicated every step of the way. We will definitely be calling them for future waterproofing work. Thanks Northeast!

  • Tewksbury, MA
  • 5 Stars

...We had a dark and moldy basement that is now a bright and clean home gym. They removed all the carpeting, moldy drywall, broken doors, old and broken ceiling lights and old and broken ceiling tiles and replaced everything with new and updated materials. They corrected some old, improperly wired electric stuff and insulated spots that were previously lacking insulation...We'll be enjoying this space as we never have before and are really thankful we were able to work with N.E. Basement!

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