Water seeps into my basement during and after heavy rains. And actually the water in the basement sort of seeps out of the basement after 12 to 24 hours of the end of the rain.

Is this due to a rising water table, or to water build up in the dirt filled area around the foundation walls?

Will a french drain type (inside the periphery of the basement floor) with a perforated and pitched pipe embedded in gravel be sufficient to drain the water into sump pump(s), and prevent basement flooding?

Thanks,

Ben

Ben,
You've got the right idea. It's hard to say exactly what is causing your problem - the soil around your foundation could be broken down, your footing drain pipes could be clogged, you may have a high water table or a good amount of hydrostatic pressure build up (water sits around the foundation and pushes through the concrete). The best way to take care of the problem is from the inside with an interior perimeter drainage system. Take a look at what Basement Systems says about the types of pipes and methods to use when waterproofing: Drainage System - Basement Systems offers two drainage systems