If your basement, crawl space, or yard has become damp with water, a drain tile system offers an inexpensive yet long-term solution. This highly effective drainage and waterproofing system drains away excess water before it enters your space – helping prevent foundation issues before they happen! Also referred to as weeping tile, French drain, perimeter drain and footing drain systems, these basement drainage solutions can be retrofitted into existing structures as well.
Installation of an exterior drain tile system should ideally take place prior to backfilling of foundation footers on new home construction sites, although an existing home may still benefit from having one installed; although, due to higher labor and cost requirements this might only be an option in certain instances.
An exterior basement or crawl space drain tile system consists of perforated pipes buried in the soil around your foundation (or, for interior systems, beneath your floor slab). Their purpose is to prevent moisture build-up around your foundation from seeping into your basement and causing water damage or mold growth; excess water then flows directly into either a sump basin or sewer line based on whether you live in either your basement or crawl space.
The type of pipe used will depend on your location and soil conditions. If your property features natural slope, an external drain tile system would likely be best. As water runs naturally downhill from its natural source to drain away from the foundation. Internal or French drains use corrugated flexible pipes with holes slitted into them to let water in; then placed near foundation footing, connected to basement sump pit or daylighted downhill location before finally having vapor barriers installed over them in order to keep moisture out of the home.
Homebuilt on fill or clay soil are often susceptible to water seepage and foundational damage from seeping water, leading to water seepage through their foundation and damage. An internal or French drain can provide an effective solution to this common issue, and be installed underneath either your basement or crawl space for easy installation.
Installing an internal or French drain in an existing structure often requires excavating and removing sections of the basement floor slab as well as landscaping in order to install its piping. Once done, these can then be reinstated, along with landscaping restoration. A properly installed and maintained basement drain tile system paired with a vapor barrier and sump pump can help protect against moisture issues in a basement, as well as mold problems in crawl spaces or attics. Contact Standard Water Control now to discover our comprehensive waterproofing solution which includes drain tile systems! We have been helping families and businesses address moisture issues for over 45 years!