Foundation drain tile systems collect excess water around a home’s perimeter and direct it toward a sump pit where it is then pumped away, creating an effective waterproofing solution for new and existing properties alike. This system offers homeowners an effective means of waterproofing.
Drain tile should ideally be installed during the building process by excavating along footings, making installation simpler than retrofitting an existing basement with drain tile, which often involves breaking up floors with a jackhammer.
Installation
Foundation drain tile (or French drains) are perforated pipes installed around a home to carry excess water away. They can be installed inside or outside the footings to relieve hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls.
Installation costs for sump pumps at the time of new construction can be relatively economical; many contractors factor them into their estimates and include them in the total building price estimate. Do-it-yourselfers may find materials start at $200 without including the sump pump itself.
Installing a drain tile system is an intricate and complex task best left to professionals. A contractor typically starts by jackhammering up a strip of floor around the perimeter of the basement, excavating soil below and trenching alongside footings before making room for and installing drain pipe (whether rigid or flexible) with an appropriate slope so groundwater flows into it instead of just collecting in it.
Older homes typically contain clay or concrete weeping tiles that deteriorate and become clogged with dirt over time, often necessitating replacement with more modern plastic drain tiles.
Materials
Today’s foundation drain tile varies considerably from its predecessor – instead consisting of perforated plastic pipe (typically PVC) laid under and around footings, designed to collect excess moisture and redirect it either towards a sump pump or, if the yard has enough slope for gravity drainage systems to take place. This system collects any extra moisture before sending it towards a sump pump for removal or an on-property natural drainage system for natural drainage purposes.
Drain tile systems installed during construction help keep excess moisture away from reaching the foundation walls and entering homes. They may be retrofitted into existing properties; however, this requires excavating down to the footer and lifting off the basement slab in order to install it under its floor.
Interior and exterior drain tile systems serve different functions. Interior drain tiles prevent excess moisture from building up in the soil and entering through foundation walls into basements; it is particularly effective when combined with vapor barriers and sump pumps for added efficiency.
Exterior drain tile can be an essential addition to a concrete, CMU, or brick foundation as it prevents moisture from seeping through porous foundation walls and into the basement. It’s especially helpful in areas that see frequent rainfall or snowfall – when combined with proper grading, gutter downspout placement, and vapor barrier use it becomes an effective waterproofing solution for any home.
Drain Pipe
As its name implies, a drain tile system consists of pipes designed to collect groundwater before it seeps through foundation or slab floors. They can either be placed outside along foundation edges or installed internally under slab floors – although installing one as part of new home construction would likely provide greater advantages; retrofitting older properties is also possible.
Today’s drain systems typically utilize crush-resistant plastic (usually PVC) pipe that has perforations holes to allow groundwater into it, and is usually laid along a foundation footer trench.
Soil under a pipe should be covered with a layer of clean, washed gravel to prevent backfill dirt from clogging the pipes and leading to basement leaks. A large coarse gravel is ideal as this allows water to flow easily through it.
An essential element of an efficient drainage system is its proper slope. A trench must be graded so that its ground slopes by one percent, or one inch every ten feet towards its drainage basin. A simple level may do the job, but for optimal results a professional evaluation should take place and confirm whether or not its slope is adequate; any problems could be corrected by digging deeper or adding sand as necessary.
Sump Pump
Sump pumps are essential for installing basement foundation drain tile. As water accumulates around the foundation, hydrostatic pressure builds and can force its way sideways through cracks in walls if left alone; an interior drain tile system directs this water towards a pipe system instead.
Drainpipes should lead to a buried sump pit, which resembles a large garbage can with a grate at its base and a slit for water passage, yet keeps out rocks or debris that could potentially block access to its contents. A discharge pipe should then lead outside so water from your sump can be carried away when necessary, with an emergency backup battery-operated sump pump also installed just in case the main one malfunctions.
Exterior drain tile works similarly, diverting groundwater and soil away from foundation walls to prevent it seeping through them and create seepage problems. It may also help alleviate pressure caused by oversaturated soil conditions as well as remove weather-related ground water surges.
Drain tile systems work best when installed during construction, prior to filling or pouring foundation backfill or basement floor slab. Unfortunately, do-it-yourselfers often attempt to perform these projects themselves and can cause serious complications that necessitate professional drain tile repair services. An experienced plumbing contractor possesses all of the equipment and knowhow needed for correct installation of these systems.