Drain tile is an underground pipework system designed to drain away water from your foundation and into a sump basin for pumping out. Ultimately, this allows water to escape out of basements or crawl spaces quickly and efficiently.
However, as with other underground pipes, these can become clogged if dirt enters them.
Drain Snake or Plumber’s Auger
Drain snakes are auger-like devices designed to unclog pipes. Their corkscrew spring end captures obstructions as you push it with hand; depending on its model it could either be electric or manual and even designed specifically for toilets!
Prior to using a snake, it’s essential that the p-trap or cleanout plug are opened or removed in order to extend its reach into deeper pipes. By doing so, the snake can reach further into the plumbing system without risk of force entering and damaging either its head or its pipes themselves.
Once the snake’s head has been inserted into a pipe, slowly turn its handle to crank it and release tension on the cable a few feet at a time – this will allow its tip to auger deeper into any blockages in your pipe system. For best results it is recommended that only short lengths of cranking be done to limit lengthening effects and manageability issues.
A small drain snake can help clear away minor clogs in your plumbing lines caused by food waste or hair, but isn’t suitable for deep-seated problems, like basement waterproofing drain tile systems. In such instances, call a professional plumber immediately – larger drum augers have been designed specifically to address such blockages.
Cable Machine
If a plunger fails to dislodge or cut through a stubborn clog, consider renting a drain cleaning machine (commonly known as a “power auger”) from a tool rental store. A power auger is a large mechanical drum auger equipped with an electric motor used to spin its cable around and cut through any debris blocking your pipe, such as tree roots. Your rental agent will explain how best to dispense and retrieve cable safely; once released from its cage you should position yourself so as not be hit by spray from released sewage when released back onto it!
Plug the drain snake machine in and position it near the cleanout. Most models feature a foot-pedal switch, leaving both of your feet free to operate the device. Feed several feet of cable into your drain pipe – if clogs are near city mains, feed towards them; otherwise feed towards home instead.
Once you reach your clog, switch on the snake machine and push its cable through its lines. Depending on its size, you should hear or feel an audible “whoosh” as the cable cuts through it and clears your line – continue feeding a few feet of cable into it until your line has been fully cleared; flush toilets and tubs multiple times afterwards just to be sure that everything has been effectively cleared away before returning the machine to storage.
Perforated Pipe
When installing a basement drain tile system or, for older homes, old clay or concrete weeping tiles outside your home, it is vital that these drains stay clean. Drain tiles help channel moisture away from your foundation’s base into a sump pump for transport away from your foundation and away from the house.
Installing a drain tile system around your home’s exterior foundation typically entails installing either rigid PVC pipe or flexible corrugated plastic in a trench below the basement floor, with holes cut into them to filter out materials that could clog them while collecting moisture from the soil. Drain tile systems come in various sizes that meet different needs – even those equipped with larger holes for areas with heavier soils that clog easily when draining through traditional channels.
Perforated pipes are typically installed buried beneath a layer of finely washed gravel to maximize faster drainage performance. Their perforations can also be designed so they face either upward or downward depending on your desired functionality: upward-facing perforations minimize sediment build-up that reduces drainage flow while downward-facing perforations offer more of a “french drain”-style drain function.
Sump Pump
Sump pumps provide essential protection from moisture related damage in homes. They prevent paint, appliances and the foundation of buildings from moisture damage while safeguarding families against health concerns such as mildew and fungus growth in wet climates. Bob Vila of America’s Handyman fame suggests performing an annual sump pump test by pouring a bucketful of water into the basement sump basin until it activates either its pressure switch or float switch – or both at the same time!
Hydro-jetting machines may be useful if the clog is stubborn. Make sure all water and power to the drain have been turned off, then insert the nozzle at either its cleanout entry point or designated entry point before using back and forth movements and rotation to clear any blockages thoroughly. After clearing is completed, disconnect equipment and retract nozzle.
Exterior discharge lines can often be the weakest link of waterproofing systems, especially during freezing temperatures when they can clog and force sump pumps to work harder to expel water from sump tanks. Installing perforated openings like FreezeGuard attachments at the base of discharge lines may help mitigate this issue; consult a licensed plumbing contractor if taking this route as they will ensure proper installation that adheres to local codes and is up-to-code.