Title: Keeping water out of the basement: what’s actually worked for you?
Yeah, those sock filters are a pain in the neck in clay soil. They just turn into mud sausages after a season or two, then you’re back to square one. I’ve seen people swear by them, but honestly, I think they’re more trouble than they’re worth unless you’ve got sandy soil.
Double landscape fabric and clean gravel is the way to go, no question. The only thing I’d add is making sure you don’t cheap out on the gravel—some folks try to use crushed limestone or whatever’s cheapest, but if it’s got fines in it, you’re basically setting yourself up for clogs down the line. Stick with washed gravel and don’t skimp on the depth.
On the downspout thing, I’m 100% with you. People obsess over French drains and forget that if your gutters are dumping water right next to your house, you’re fighting a losing battle. Those big plastic splash blocks look goofy but they do their job. Personally, I like buried extensions better—yeah, it’s more work up front, but once they’re in, you don’t have to worry about tripping over them or moving them every time you mow.
One thing I’d throw out there: check your grading too. Doesn’t matter how fancy your drains are if your yard slopes toward your foundation. I’ve seen people spend thousands on interior waterproofing when all they needed was a shovel and a weekend to regrade around the house.
Long story short—keep it simple: good gravel, solid fabric, get the water away from the house before it even thinks about heading for your basement. All that fancy stuff is just extra headaches if you don’t nail the basics first.