Drain tile systems (also referred to as French drains or weeping tiles) provide an efficient way to waterproofing basements and foundations while managing drainage issues. Made up of perforated pipes containing holes for ground water drainage, drain tiles collect groundwater before redirecting it toward a sump pump or dry well, creating the path of least resistance so water flows towards these perforated pipes rather than seeping through cracks in basement or foundation walls into your home – thus eliminating leakage on basement floors or cove joints (where floor meets walls).
Basement drain tiles are most frequently found outside your home, though they can also be installed inside. In new construction projects, it is often best to install the system at the same time as laying the footer, providing maximum flexibility in system design and keeping costs to a minimum. Drain tile generally made from crush-resistant plastic like PVC with narrow openings that let groundwater in but keep dirt, rocks, or debris out; then buried into a trench alongside footer before being covered by washed gravel covers.
Gravel used in trenches may need to be changed every few years as it becomes compacted. Soil around the house should also be graded to slope down at two percent; any plantings too near to the foundation should also be moved, as doing so prevents their roots from entering and clogging the drain tile system.
When installing drain tile in an existing home, a waterproofing contractor must first remove any floor coverings before digging a trench around your foundation footer. Once dug, they’ll encase it with a sump pit that collects rainwater that comes through rigid PVC or flexible corrugated pipe into an underground reservoir that feeds directly into your sump pump for removal.
Both types of drain tile systems can become blocked after heavy rainfall, so it is wise to inspect your sump pit following heavy downpours and check that it hasn’t filled with water, suggesting that either type of system may have become blocked and not working as it should; otherwise this will lead to flooding of your basement or foundation and could damage its structure as a result of not removing water quickly enough. Investing in an interior/exterior drain system would provide peace of mind should you experience problems in either area – reach out today if this sounds like something worth considering for potential solution! For more information contact an interior waterproofing specialist today who will answer all questions related to interior/exterioror systems and how they operate as they differ when considering installing one!