BASEMENT DRAINAGE SYSTEM WITH FLUME CHANNEL

Abstract

A basement system includes a concrete basement and a drain channel. The concrete basement includes a basement slab and a basement wall. The basement slab presents a floor surface, with the basement wall extending about the floor surface. The basement slab and basement wall cooperatively define a trench that extends along the basement wall and below the floor surface to receive water in the basement. The drain channel is located at least partly in the trench to collect water therein. The drain channel includes an elongated channel tube and an upright riser integrally formed with the channel tube. The channel tube includes axially-extending opposite side walls that at least partly define an interior to receive water, with at least one of the side walls presenting openings that permit water ingress from the trench to the interior. The riser extends upwardly from one of the side walls and engages the basement wall.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is being filed contemporaneously with U.S. Design Application Ser. No. ______, entitled FLUME CHANNEL, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to a basement drain system including a drain channel. In particular, embodiments of the present invention concern a drain channel with a channel tube and a riser.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Residential basements are designed and constructed to resist the ingress of water and other foreign substances from the adjacent ground. However, basement walls and slabs often have imperfections that enable water ingress. Over the course of time, basement structures commonly develop cracks due to settling and/or heave of the adjacent ground. For instance, it is well known that a basement wall can develop a crack that allows water to seep through the wall into the basement.

Drainage systems have been developed to collect water that seeps into a basement. Conventional drainage devices are incorporated into an existing basement to collect water that migrates through a basement wall. However, such prior art drainage devices have well known deficiencies. For example, conventional devices are difficult and time-consuming to install. Installation of prior art devices also requires extensive repair and renovation of the adjacent basement structures.

This background discussion is intended to provide information related to the present invention which is not necessarily prior art.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a basement system that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of prior art basement devices, including those set forth above.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns a basement system broadly including a concrete basement and a drain channel. The concrete basement includes a basement slab and a basement wall. The basement slab presents a floor surface, with the basement wall extending about the floor surface. The basement slab and basement wall cooperatively define a trench that extends along the basement wall and below the floor surface to receive water in the basement. The drain channel is located at least partly in the trench to collect water therein. The drain channel includes an elongated channel tube and an uptight riser integrally formed with the channel tube. The channel tube includes axially-extending opposite side walls that at least partly define an interior to receive water, with at least one of the side walls presenting openings that permit water ingress from the trench to the interior. The riser extends upwardly from one of the side walls and engages the basement wall.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns a drain channel for use in a concrete basement. The basement includes a basement slab and a basement wall and presents a floor surface, with the basement wall extending about the floor surface. The basement slab and basement wall cooperatively define a trench that extends along the basement wall and below the floor surface to receive water in the basement, with the drain channel configured to be located at least partly in the trench. The drain channel includes an elongated channel tube and an upright riser integrally formed with the channel tube. The channel tube includes axially-extending opposite side walls that at least partly define an interior to receive water, with at least one of the side walls presenting openings that permit water ingress from the trench to the interior. The riser extends upwardly from one of the side walls and engages the basement wall.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a prior art drain device;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a basement system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, depicting a basement slab, a footing, and a basement wall extending along the perimeter of the slab;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross section of the basement system shown in FIG. 2, depicting a trench formed between the basement slab and the basement wall, a wall framing mounted within the basement and above the trench, and a drain channel installed in the trench;

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary cross section of the basement system similar to FIG. 3, but enlarged to depict aggregate alongside the drain channel and a cover layer applied above the drain channel to fill the trench;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the drain channel shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a, showing a channel tube and riser of the drain channel;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the drain channel similar to FIG. 4, but taken from the opposite side and depicting openings spaced along the length of the channel tube;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the drain channel shown in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of the basement system shown in FIGS. 2-3a, showing the basement prior to formation of the trench, and depicting part of the wall framing above the location of the trench;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the basement system similar to FIG. 7, but showing the trench formed in the basement prior to installation of the drain channel, with the wall framing not being depicted; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective of the basement system similar to FIG. 8, but showing the drain channel positioned in the trench.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. While the drawings do not necessarily provide exact dimensions or tolerances for the illustrated components or structures, the drawings, not including any purely schematic drawings, are to scale with respect to the relationships between the components of the structures illustrated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, a tubular drain channel 20 is incorporated into a concrete basement 22 to provide a basement drain system 24. The basement drain system 24 is operable to collect water that may seep into the basement 22 (for instance, water that migrates through a basement wall and into the basement). In particular, the basement drain system 24 is configured so that water migrating into the basement adjacent the basement wall is collected by the drain channel 20. As will be described, the drain channel 20 presents an interior chamber or flume to receive and drain water from the basement.

The basement 22 is provided as part of a residential home, although the basement could be incorporated into various building structures. The depicted basement 22 preferably includes a footing 26, a basement wall 28, a basement slab 30, a basement sump 32, a trench 34, and a wall framing 35.

In the usual manner, the basement wall 28 presents inner and outer wall surfaces 36,38 that extend vertically and define a wall thickness T1 (see FIG. 3). The basement wall 28 includes a series of wall segments 28a extending about the slab 30 (see FIG. 2). The wall segments 28a each have a generally straight configuration and are integrally formed with one another to cooperatively define a basement perimeter shape and surround an interior basement space 40. The wall segments 28a are preferably configured so that the wall thickness T1 is substantially constant along the length of the wall segment 28a.

It will be appreciated that the basement wall could be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, one or more of the wall segments could be alternatively shaped and/or oriented (e.g., where one or more wall segments present a curved shape). Furthermore, the basement wall could include an alternative number of wall segments (i.e., where the basement wall has fewer wall segments or more wall segments than in the depicted embodiment). In alternative embodiments, the basement wall could have various perimeter shapes.

The basement slab 30 presents an upper floor surface 42 and a slab thickness T2 (see FIG. 3). In the depicted embodiment, the slab thickness T2 is generally constant along the upper floor surface 42. However, it will be understood that the slab thickness may vary to some degree. The slab 30 is preferably configured to extend continuously across the area encircled by the basement wall 28.

As is customary, the basement wall 28 extends upwardly above the footing 26 and extends about the basement slab 30. The basement wall 28 and basement slab 30 cooperate with one another to at least partly define the interior basement space 40.

The footing 26, basement wall 28, and basement slab 30 preferably include a concrete material. Although not shown, it will also be understood that the footing 26, basement wall 28, and basement slab 30 also preferably include reinforcement members embedded within the concrete to strengthen the concrete structure. The reinforcement members may include mesh, rebar, beam, and/or other components. The reinforcement members are preferably formed of carbon steel but could include other metal materials and/or synthetic resin materials within the scope of the present invention.

The wall framing 35 comprises a conventional stud wall (see FIG. 7) and is configured to support a wall board (not shown) with a finished wall surface. In the usual manner, the wall framing 35 includes, among other things, a plurality of upright stud members 35a (see FIG. 7) spaced along the length of the basement wall 28.

The wall framing 35 is preferably attached relative to the basement wall 28. The wall framing 35 is also preferably located above the trench 34 and extends inward relative to the inner wall surface 36. The wall framing 35 preferably presents an inboard perimeter margin 35b that extends along the inner wall surface 36 and is spaced inboard of the inner wall surface 36 (see FIG. 3).

The depicted wall framing 35 also presents a lower margin 35c, which is spaced above the upper floor surface 42 (see FIG. 3). However, the wall framing could be configured to extend downwardly so that the lower margin contacts the upper floor surface (at least prior to forming the trench 34). The lower margin 35c and the basement slab 30 cooperatively define an opening 43 that communicates with the trench 34 once the trench 34 is formed. The principles of at least some aspects the present invention are applicable where one or more components of the wall framing are alternatively constructed.

The illustrated trench 34 is defined by an upright surface 34a, a lower surface 34b, and the surface 36 (see FIG. 3a). The surfaces 34a,34b,36 are preferably configured so that the trench 34 has a width dimension W and a height dimension D (see FIG. 3). The depicted surfaces 34a and 36 are preferably parallel with one another and extend upwardly relative to the lower surface 34b. However, for at least some aspects of the present invention, the trench could be formed by one or more alternative surfaces (e.g., to provide an alternative trench shape). For instance, the upright surfaces could be arranged so that the height dimension D tapers toward the lower surface (e.g., where the trench has a trapezoidal or triangular profile shape).

The depicted trench 34 is arranged so that the trench 34 extends along the basement wall 28 and below the floor surface 42 to receive water in the basement 22. Preferably, the trench 34 and the channel 20 fluidly communicates with the basement sump 32. This fluid communication permits water to flow from the channel 20 (or from a location within the trench 34 but outside of the drain channel 20) toward the basement sump 32. It will be understood that at least part of the trench 34 and/or at least part of the drain channel 20 is preferably configured to slope toward the basement sump 32.

In the depicted embodiment, the trench 34 is cooperatively defined by the footing 26, the basement wall 28, and the basement slab 30. However, the trench could be alternatively configured and/or defined within the scope of certain aspects of the present invention. For example, in at least some alternative embodiments, the trench could be located in a position where the trench is spaced inboard from the basement wall. Again, for at least some aspects of the present invention, the trench could be alternatively sized and/or shaped,

Preferably, the depicted trench 34 is formed prior to installation of the channel 20. The trench 34 is formed by cutting into the basement structure, primarily the basement slab 30. However, for at least some aspects of the present invention, the trench could be formed when the concrete of the basement structure is poured. For instance, it will be understood that the trench could be defined by a concrete form (not shown) that produces the desired trench shape when concrete is poured along the concrete form.

Although the depicted arrangement of the basement 22 is preferred, the basement could be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the basement could be constructed such that the footing, wall, and/or slab is alternatively configured.

Turning to FIGS. 3-6, the drain channel 20 is preferably operable to be located at least partly in the trench 34 to collect water within the basement 22. The drain channel 20 broadly includes an elongated channel tube 44 and an upright riser 46.

In the illustrated embodiment, the channel tube 44 preferably includes a top wall 48 and a bottom wall 50 that are joined by inboard and outboard side walls 52,54. The walls 48,50,52,54 extend axially along the length of the tube 44 to define a channel axis A (see FIG. 6). The walls 48,50,52,54 cooperatively present an interior surface 56 that defines an interior chamber 58 to receive water (see FIG. 6). As shown, the interior chamber 58 preferably serves as a flume to carry water along the length of the tube 44 toward the basement sump 32.

In the depicted embodiment, the top wall 48 and bottom wall 50 have a generally planar wall configuration. The top wall 48 presents an upper wall surface 60, and the bottom wall 50 presents a lower wall surface 62 (see FIG. 6). The depicted upper and lower wall surfaces 60,62 are each preferably planar. The upper and lower wall surfaces 60,62 cooperate with the interior surface 56 so that the top wall 48 and the bottom wall 50 each have a generally uniform wall thickness T3 (see FIG. 6).

The inboard and outboard side walls 52,54 serve to connect and extend between the top wall 48 and the bottom wall 50. The inboard side wall 52 includes respective upper and lower wall sections 52a,52b that are integrally formed with one another (see FIG. 4). Similarly, the outboard side wall 54 includes respective upper and lower wall sections 54a,54b that are integrally formed with one another (see FIG. 5). The inboard and outboard side walls 52,54 present corresponding inboard and outboard side wall surfaces 64,66 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The inboard side wall surface 64 has generally planar sections 64a and 64b associated with upper and lower wall sections 52a,52b. The outboard side wall surface 66 has generally planar sections 66a,66b associated with upper and lower wall sections 54a,54b.

The lower wall section 54b preferably presents a series of openings 68 that permit water ingress from outside the tubular channel 20 to the interior chamber 58 (see FIG. 5). The openings 68 preferably include a first row 70 and a second row 72 of openings 68 spaced along the length of the tubular channel 20 (see FIG. 5).

The first row 70 of openings 68 is preferably spaced above the second row 72 of openings 68. In the depicted embodiment, the first row 70 of openings 68 is preferably axially offset from the second row 72 of openings 68 along the channel axis A. In particular, the openings 68 of the first row 70 are offset along the channel axis A from the openings 68 of the second row 72. Among other things, this arrangement of openings permits water within the trench 34 (but outside the channel tube 44) to migrate into the interior chamber 58 in a uniform manner along the channel axis A. The depicted configuration of openings also preferably restricts ingress relative to the interior chamber 58 of at least some materials (e.g., coarse and/or dense solid materials, such as rock, pebbles, aggregate, etc.).

For at least some aspects of the present invention, the channel tube may define an alternative arrangement of openings to permit water ingress relative to the interior chamber 58. For instance, the channel tube could define a single row of openings or more than two rows of openings.

The upper wall sections 52a,54a and lower wall section 52b preferably present a continuous, solid construction such that the wall sections 52a,54a,52b are devoid of openings. However, for certain aspects of the present invention, one or more of the wall sections 52a,52b,54a could be provided with openings (e.g., openings similar to the openings 68 in the lower wall section).

The openings 68 each generally have a circular shape and present a diameter dimension D1 (see FIG. 5). The diameter dimension D1 preferably ranges from about five hundredths of an inch (0.05″) to about one inch (1.0″) and, more preferably, ranges from about one tenth of an inch (0.1″) to about one quarter of an inch (0.25″).

However, for certain aspects of the present invention, the diameter dimension of one or more openings could fall outside of these ranges. It is also within the scope of the present invention for one or more openings to have an alternative (i.e., a non-circular) shape. For instance, one or more openings could have an elongated slot-type shape.

The upper wall sections 52a,54a are preferably arranged to extend in a generally vertical direction, such that the upper wall sections 52a,54a and the top wall 48 are generally perpendicular to one another. However, at least one of the upper wall sections 52a,54a could be alternatively oriented without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The lower wall sections 52b,54b are preferably oriented to extend at an oblique angle relative to the bottom wall 50. More preferably, the lower wall sections 52b,54b extend downwardly from the upper wall sections 52a,54a so that the lower wall sections 52b,54b extend in a downward direction toward each other.

For certain aspects of the present invention, one or more of the upper wall sections and the lower wall sections could be alternatively configured for various reasons (e.g., to facilitate channel installation and/or to facilitate water flow into the channel from a location outside the channel).

The riser 46 and the outboard side wall 54 cooperatively form an upright support wall 74 that presents an upright support surface 76 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The lower wall section 54b extends below the upright support wall 74. As will be explained, the support surface 76 extends along and at least partly engages the basement wall 28. The support surface 76 and the inner wall surface 36 are at least partly engaged with one another. However, the support surface 76 and the inner wall surface 36 cooperatively define an opening 77 (see FIG. 3a) that defines a path for water to migrate downwardly along the basement wall 28. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the upright support surface 76 and the wall surface 36 of the basement wall 28 each include substantially planar surface sections that are engaged and generally parallel to one another.

The illustrated riser 46 includes a central wall 78 and an upper lip 80 extending at an oblique angle relative to the central wall 78. The upper lip 80 preferably extends in an inboard direction from the central wall 78 and has a generally planar shape. In alternative embodiments, the upper lip could be alternatively shaped and/or angled relative to the central wall, within the scope of at least some aspects of the present invention.

The upper lip 80 presents an uppermost margin 82 spaced apart from the basement wall 28 so that the upper lip 80 and the basement wall 28 cooperatively define a groove 84 to receive water (see FIG. 3a). The depicted groove 84 has a generally triangular profile shape. The shape of the groove 84 is configured to funnel water in a downward direction toward the opening 77. In alternative embodiments, the upper lip of the riser may be alternatively configured consistent with certain aspects of the present invention. For instance, the upper lip may be curved and/or alternatively angled relative to the central wall.

Preferably, the riser 46 is integrally formed with the tube 44. The riser 46 extends upwardly from the side wall 54 to engage the basement wall. In this manner, the riser 46 and the side wall 54 cooperatively present the upright support surface 76, and the upright support surface 76 is generally planar.

However, the riser could be alternatively configured and/or positioned relative to the tube. For instance, the riser could be spaced inboard relative to the side wall or outboard relative to the side wall. Furthermore, in at least some alternative embodiments within the scope of the present invention, it will be understood that the riser could be attached relative to the tube.

The tube 44 and riser 46 of the drain channel 20 are preferably formed of a synthetic resin material. More preferably, the drain channel 20 is formed of an ABS plastic material. However, one or more elements of the channel could include alternative materials, such as an alternative synthetic resin and/or a metallic material (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). The drain channel 20 is preferably formed via an extrusion process. It will be appreciated that other manufacturing processes, such as plastic molding processes (e.g., injection molding) could be used to form at least part of the drain channel.

The drain channel 20 is preferably supported within the trench 34. At least part of the lower wall section 54b is spaced from the basement wall 28 so that the lower wall section 54b and the basement wall 28 cooperatively define an elongated trough 86 to receive water (see FIG. 3a). As noted above, the support surface 76 and the inner wall surface 36 are at least partly engaged with one another and cooperatively define an opening 77. Preferably, the opening 77 fluidly communicates with the groove 84 and the trough 86. In this manner, the opening 77 permits water to migrate downwardly from the groove 84 to the trough 86 along the basement wall 28. The openings 68 fluidly communicate with the trough 86 so that water within the trough 86 is permitted to migrate into the interior chamber 58.

When the drain channel 20 is installed, the trench 34 and the drain channel 20 fluidly communicate with the basement sump 32. Again, this fluid communication permits water to flow from the drain channel 20 (or from a location within the trench 34 but outside of the drain channel 20) toward the basement sump 32. Preferably, at least part of the trench 34 and/or at least part of the drain channel 20 is configured to slope toward the basement sump 32. In this manner, the interior chamber 58 is operable to receive water and carry water along the drain channel toward the basement sump 32.

Turning to FIGS. 3, 3a, and 7-9, the depicted trench 34 is formed prior to installation of the channel 20. The trench 34 is formed by cutting through the basement slab 30 along a cutting line L to separate an outer perimeter section 30b from the remainder of the basement slab 30 (see FIG. 7). The basement slab 30 is also cut to form the upright surface 34a, which partly defines the trench 34 (see FIG. 3a). However, for some aspects of the present invention, the trench could be defined when pouring the basement slab. For instance, it will be understood that concrete forms (not shown) can be arranged to form the trench when the basement structure is poured.

Again, the wall framing 35 also presents a lower margin 35c spaced above the upper floor surface 42 and the trench 34. However, the wall framing could be configured to extend downwardly so that the lower margin is substantially vertically aligned with the upper floor surface and immediately adjacent the trench. The lower margin 35c and the basement slab 30 cooperatively define the opening 43, which communicates with the trench 34.

The illustrated channel 20 is positioned within the trench 34 generally after the trench 34 is formed. In the depicted embodiment, the channel 20 is inserted through the opening 43 and into the trench 34. The channel 20 is preferably flexible so that the riser 46 can be temporarily folded onto the top wall 48 to permit insertion of the channel 20 through the opening 43.

In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 20 is located below the wall framing 35. Although the riser 46 is spaced below the lower margin 35c of the framing 35, it is consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention for the channel to be alternatively vertically positioned relative to the wall framing. For instance, in alternative embodiments, the riser could contact the wall framing (e.g., where the wall framing extends downwardly to the upper floor surface 42). In such embodiments, the channel may be installed so that at least part of the riser (e.g., the upper lip of the riser) is located between the wall framing and the inner wall surface of the basement wall.

The drain channel 20 is preferably supported on the footing 26 within the trench 34. With the drain channel 20 located in the trench, the groove 84 and the trough 86 are preferably in fluid communication with one another via the opening 77. Again, this configuration permits water to travel downwardly from the groove 84 to the trough 86. As described above, the support surface 76 and the inner wall surface 36 are at least partly engaged with one another, such that the opening 77 has a width dimension P (see FIG. 3a). Although the width dimension P of the opening 77 is relatively small (and in at least some locations approaches zero), water is permitted to wick or otherwise flow downwardly along the path provided by the opening 77.

In at least some instances, it will be understood that downward water migration through the opening 77 may be permitted by flexing of the drain channel 20. In particular, the channel 20 is configured such that at least part of the channel 20 (e.g., the riser 46) may flex away from the basement wall 28 to permit water to travel from the groove 84 to the trough 86. Again, the openings 68, which are spaced along the length of the channel 20, are preferably in fluid communication with the trough 86.

With the channel 20 positioned in the trench 34, an aggregate layer 90 is preferably applied between the channel 20 and the basement slab 30 (see FIG. 3a). The aggregate layer 90 is supported on the footing 26 and extends along the side wall 52 up to the level of the top wall 48. It is also within the scope of some aspects of the present invention for the aggregate layer to be alternatively positioned within the trench.

A cover layer 92 of material is preferably applied over the channel 20 and the aggregate layer 90 to secure the channel 20 within the trench 34 (see FIG. 3a). Furthermore, the cover layer 92 substantially covers the channel 20. In the depicted embodiment, the cover layer 92 preferably comprises a concrete material. For certain aspects of the present invention, the cover layer could include a layer of aggregate material, a layer of synthetic resin material, and/or other materials.

In use, the basement drain system 24 is operable to collect water that may seep into the basement 22 (for instance, water that may seep through the basement wall 28 and into the basement 22). Water that is received adjacent the basement wall 28 and the basement slab 30 is allowed to migrate into the channel 20.

in particular, the channel 20 is positioned so that water can travel between the groove 84 and trough 86. At least part of the channel 20 is operable to flex away from the basement wall 28 so that the planar surface sections become spaced apart and permit water to travel from the groove 84 to the trough 86. The openings 68 in the channel 20 allow water within the trough 86 to travel into the channel 20. Water in the channel 20 is permitted to flow into the basement sump 32.

Although the above description presents features of preferred embodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments may also be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Such other preferred embodiments may, for instance, be provided with features drawn from one or more of the embodiments described above. Yet further, such other preferred embodiments may include features from multiple embodiments described above, particularly where such features are compatible for use together despite having been presented independently as part of separate embodiments in the above description.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A basement system comprising: a concrete basement including a basement slab and a basement wall,said basement slab presenting a floor surface, with the basement wall extending about the floor surface,said basement slab and said basement wall cooperatively defining a trench that extends along the basement wall and below the floor surface to receive water in the basement; anda drain channel located at least partly in the trench to collect water therein,said drain channel including an elongated channel tube and an upright riser integrally formed with the channel tube,said channel tube including axially-extending opposite side walls that at least partly define an interior to receive water, with one of the side walls presenting at least two laterally extending rows of openings that permit water ingress from the trench to the interior,said riser extending upwardly from said one of the side walls and engaging the basement wall,said one side wall including an upper wall section and an oblique lower wall section that extends obliquely from the upper wall section in a direction toward the other side wall, with the at least two laterally extending rows of openings being located entirely in the oblique lower wall section,said riser and said upper wall section cooperatively presenting a single, uninterrupted upright support surface, with the support surface extending continuously to lay flat in engagement with the basement wall to define a path for water to migrate along the support surface without passing through the support surface,said rows of openings being the only openings to project through walls of the channel tube for fluid communication with the interior and located entirely below the upright support surface so that water migrates along the path to the openings.

2. (canceled)

3. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, said basement wall presenting an exposed wall surface,said upright support surface and said wall surface each including substantially planar surface sections that are engaged and generally parallel to one another.

4. The basement system as claimed in claim 3, said riser including a central wall and an upper lip extending at an oblique angle relative to the central wall,said upper lip presenting an uppermost margin spaced apart from the basement wall so that the upper lip and basement wall cooperatively define a groove to receive water.

5. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, said concrete basement including a footing below the basement wall,said footing partly defining the trench, with the drain channel being supported on the footing.

6. (canceled)

7. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, an upper row of said openings being located in an upper half of the oblique lower wall section and a lower row of said openings being spaced below the upper row and located in a lower half of the oblique lower wall section.

8. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, at least part of said oblique lower wall section being spaced from the basement wall so that the lower wall section and the basement wall cooperatively define an elongated trough to receive water.

9. (canceled)

10. The basement system as claimed in claim 8, an upper row of said openings being located in an upper half of the oblique lower wall section and a lower row of said openings being spaced below the upper row and located in a lower half of the oblique lower wall section.

11. The basement system as claimed in claim 8, said riser including a central wall and an upper lip extending at an oblique angle relative to the central wall,said upper lip presenting an uppermost margin spaced apart from the basement wall so that the upper lip and basement wall cooperatively define a groove to receive water,said groove and said trough being in fluid communication with one another.

12. The basement system as claimed in claim 11, said basement wall presenting an exposed wall surface,said upright support surface and said wall surface each including substantially planar surface sections that are engaged and generally parallel to one another,said riser being operable to flex away from the basement wall so that the planar surface sections become spaced apart and permit water to travel from the groove to the trough.

13. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a material layer applied over the channel to secure the channel within the trench.

14. The basement system as claimed in claim 13, said material layer comprising a concrete material.

15. The basement system as claimed in claim 13, said drain channel being substantially covered by the material layer.

16. The basement system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: an aggregate layer applied between the channel and the basement slab, with the material layer being applied over the channel and the aggregate layer.

17. The basement system as claimed in claim 16, said concrete basement including a footing below the basement wall,said footing partly defining the trench, with the drain channel and the aggregate layer being located on the footing.

18. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a basement sump, said channel being in fluid communication with the basement sump.

19. The basement system as claimed in claim 1, said basement wall presenting an exposed wall surface,said concrete basement including a wall framing attached relative to the basement wall,said wall framing located above the trench and extending inward relative to the wall surface.

20. The basement system as claimed in claim 19, said wall framing presenting an inboard perimeter margin,said channel being configured and positioned to extend outwardly relative to the inboard perimeter margin.

21. A drain channel for use in a concrete basement, said basement including a basement slab and a basement wall and presenting a floor surface, with the basement wall extending about the floor surface, said basement slab and said basement wall cooperatively defining a trench that extends along the basement wall and below the floor surface to receive water in the basement, with the drain channel configured to be located at least partly in the trench, said drain channel comprising: an elongated channel tube and an upright riser integrally formed with the channel tube,said channel tube including axially-extending opposite side walls that at least partly define an interior to receive water, with one of the side walls presenting at least two laterally extending rows of openings that permit water ingress from the trench to the interior,said riser extending upwardly from said one of the side walls and engaging the basement wall,said one side wall including an upper wall section and an oblique lower wall section that extends obliquely from the upper wall section in a direction toward the other side wall, with the at least two laterally extending rows of openings being located entirely in the oblique lower wall section,said riser and said upper wall section cooperatively presenting a single, uninterrupted upright support surface, with the support surface extending continuously to lay flat in engagement with the basement wall to define a path for water to migrate along the support surface without passing through the support surface,said rows of openings being the only openings to project through walls of the channel tube for fluid communication with the interior and located entirely below the upright support surface so that water migrates along the path to the openings.

22. (canceled)

23. The drain channel as claimed in claim 21, said riser including a central wall and an upper lip extending at an oblique angle relative to the central wall,said upper lip presenting an uppermost margin configured to be spaced apart from the basement wall so that the upper lip and basement wall cooperatively define a groove to receive water.

24. The drain channel as claimed in claim 21, an upper row of said openings being located in an upper half of the oblique lower wall section and a lower row of said openings being spaced below the upper row and located in a lower half of the oblique lower wall section.

25. The drain channel as claimed in claim 21, at least part of said oblique lower wall section configured to be spaced from the basement wall so that the lower wall section is configured to cooperate with the basement wall to define an elongated trough to receive water.

26. The drain channel as claimed in claim 25, said openings being spaced along the length of the drain channel and configured to be in fluid communication with the trough,one of said rows of openings being spaced above another one of the rows of openings.

27. The drain channel as claimed in claim 25, said riser including a central wall and an upper lip extending at an oblique angle relative to the central wall,said upper lip presenting an uppermost margin configured to be spaced apart from the basement wall so that the upper lip and basement wall cooperatively define a groove to receive water,said groove configured to be in fluid communication with the trough.

28. The drain channel as claimed in claim 24, each of said openings being laterally spaced from the other openings along the length of the oblique lower wall section.

29. The basement system as claimed in claim 7, each of said openings being laterally spaced from the other openings along the length of the oblique lower wall section.

30. The drain channel as claimed in claim 28, each of said openings having a lateral opening dimension,each adjacent pair of said openings defining a lateral spacing dimension, with the lateral spacing dimension being at least two times larger than the lateral opening dimension of one of the adjacent pair of openings.

31. The basement system as claimed in claim 30, said lateral opening dimension comprising a diameter dimension that ranges from about one tenth of an inch to about one quarter of an inch.

32. The basement system as claimed in claim 29, each of said openings having a lateral opening dimension,each adjacent pair of said openings defining a lateral spacing dimension, with the lateral spacing dimension being at least two times larger than the lateral opening dimension of one of the adjacent pair of openings.

33. The basement system as claimed in claim 32, said lateral opening dimension comprising a diameter dimension that ranges from about one tenth of an inch to about one quarter of an inch.