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Interior perimeter drain before slab restoration checklist

A pre-concrete interior basement perimeter-drain checklist for slab-cut limits, dust and contamination controls, footing and wall condition, trench depth, pipe type and slope, aggregate and filter materials, wall drainage interface, sump basin connection, radon and vapor-control continuity, utilities, structural restrictions, cleanouts, inspection, test records, photographs, and concrete restoration before the drainage work is permanently covered.

6 items to check

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Slab cutting, dust, utilities, footing exposure, wall support, and contaminated materials are controlled

Critical item

Demolition should not undermine footings, damage services, spread hazardous dust, or leave unsafe access.

Trench, pipe or channel, slope, joints, corners, cleanouts, and sump connection match the approved system

Critical item

Collection components should provide a continuous maintainable path to the basin without reverse slope, blockage, crushed pipe, or unapproved connection.

Aggregate, filter or separator, wall drainage layer, weep details, and sediment control are complete

Critical item

The system should admit water while limiting fine-soil or concrete contamination according to the approved detail.

Slab vapor retarder, radon barrier or piping, seals, insulation, and penetrations are restored continuously

Critical item

Drainage work should not create an uncontrolled soil-gas, moisture, pest, thermal, or air-leak pathway.

Water path, basin entry, pump interaction, cleanouts, inspection, and complete concealed-work photographs are verified

Critical item

The collection system should be observable and tested before permanent slab restoration.

Concrete thickness, reinforcement or dowels, joint treatment, cure, surface level, and finish restoration are released

The patch should restore the intended slab function without blocking drainage or concealing unresolved work.

Use after an interior drainage channel, pipe, aggregate, sump connection, and wall collection system are installed but before concrete restores the slab. This system manages water reaching the interior perimeter; it should not be described as repairing every exterior, structural, sewer, flood, or groundwater condition. Do not enter unsupported excavations, confined or oxygen-deficient spaces, flooded or sewage-contaminated areas, energized wet areas, visibly unstable structures, or crawlspaces with unknown air, pest, mold, asbestos, or electrical hazards. Do not drill, jack, excavate, open pressurized systems, or alter structural supports without qualified direction.

Reference standards

  • Approved repair or remodeling scope, adopted state and local building, residential, energy, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire, flood, and health requirements, permit conditions, authority having jurisdiction requirements, qualified geotechnical and structural design where applicable, environmental test requirements, and exact drainage, waterproofing, insulation, pump, window, radon, and repair-system manufacturer instructions
  • Approved drainage and slab-restoration scope, structural restrictions at footing and slab, radon and vapor-control details, sump design, discharge approval, and exact pipe, aggregate, channel, membrane, sealant, and concrete instructions

    • Tools

  • Written scope, drawings, geotechnical or structural reports, drainage information, permits, inspection records, product data, and authorized changes
  • Camera, flashlight, tape measure, level, crack gauge or scale, hygrometer or moisture tools used within their limitations, and dated location-based photographs
  • Qualified trade, engineer, waterproofing, environmental, radon, plumbing, electrical, and commissioning records where required

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