What’s the Difference Between a Relief System and French Drain System?

Some companies might show you thick, glossy brochures explaining why their pressure relief system is better than a French drain system. In reality, these two systems are exactly the same thing. Pressure relief is just another term for a French drain.

The drain system in the floor, whatever you name you call it by, relieves the water pressure on exterior walls by allowing the water to drain in through the wall and into the system, where it can be collected and ultimately pumped out of the basement. For more on French drains, see our French drain page.