If you own a basement, chances are you have come across drain tile – an effective way of managing groundwater and protecting against moisture in the home. Drain tile works like this: perforated pipes running along foundation footings collect and direct excess moisture towards a sump pit or storage container for later disposal. Drain tile can help manage high water tables or underground springs as well as prevent wall seepage and reduce hydrostatic pressure in certain regions.
Hydrostatic pressure builds when soil moisture pressure exceeds its limits around a building, pushing against anything below, including concrete walls and floors, leading to cracking and fissures that let water seep into basements – the longer this happens, the worse its effects become; brick and stone houses in particular are especially prone to hydrostatic pressure build-up than their concrete counterparts.
One effective method of protecting against this problem is installing a basement drain tile system, typically included as part of new construction but sometimes retrofitted into existing houses too. Although possible to retrofit an existing home with one, retrofitting involves demolishing up to a foot of flooring along all perimeter walls of basement abuttings which is not advisable for DIYers but best left for professional contractors like Seepageseal.
This basement drain tile system consists of a perforated pipe laid on a bed of gravel or crushed rock beneath the basement floor. As water collects around and under foundations, it runs into this perforated pipe which is protected with filter fabric to keep out mud particles before being sent onwards to a sump pit or storage container for drainage away from your house.
Importantly, even with a basement drain tile system in place, a waterproofing solution should still be purchased to protect it. As pipes can become clogged with dirt and gravel can wash away over time, a good idea would be to combine your basement drainage solution with an impermeable coating or membrane that prevents water penetration through walls into your house interior.
Before embarking on the installation of your own basement drain tile system, ensure you have all of the required tools lined up. This will save time and frustration during installation; additionally, having a jackhammer handy may come in handy if necessary to break up existing floors.
If you decide to install a basement drain tile system, it’s essential that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely in order to install it correctly and protect your home from basement leaks or any other issues. Once finished, test out your sump pump and waterproofing system so you have peace of mind that your family and belongings are secure from leakage or other risks.