Q. What is the best place to run perimeter drains — along the top of the footing, to help keep water out of the cold joint between the foundation wall and footing, or at the base of the footing?

A.Perimeter drains should be placed at the base of the footing. If the wall is coated with some form of waterproofing and drainage is provided by a gravel backfill or a drainage membrane, there should be no water at the joint between the wall and the footing. The low placement should also drain any ground water in the fill under the slab.