If your home is struggling with water intrusion, basement drain tile could be the solution. But how exactly does this system work? For new builds, this should be considered an integral waterproofing system while existing homes may benefit from retrofitting with basement drain tile retrofit kits.
Hydrostatic pressure can be devastating to foundations. When there’s too much water in the ground than can be absorbed by its soil, hydrostatic pressure pushes against your home’s footings, cracking walls and creating fissures in walls – eventually bowing inward or even collapsing entirely requiring costly repairs or even total collapse of its foundation. A basement drain tile system can mitigate this issue by collecting any excess water that accumulates around your foundation and diverting it away from it via pipe systems that channel it away.
Drain tile doesn’t actually consist of tiles as the name would imply; rather it is a system of perforated pipes installed beneath a basement floor and footings around the perimeter of a house that collect water from soil or drain it away to be collected by sump pumps in collection pits around its perimeter. Modern day drain tiles typically consist of plastic, fiberglass or PVC construction and come in round, square, rectangular or oblong shapes; their narrow openings prevent dirt or gravel from blocking their drainpipes.
Installing a basement drain tile system involves taking several steps. First, the concrete foundation slab and floor must be removed from within the basement before digging a trench to lay drain tile in. Next, waterproofing membrane must be applied around all sides from trench up until wall top for extra moisture protection and prevent seepage into the basement from seepage through walls.
For older homes needing drain tile systems installed, the process can be more involved. First, the basement floor and walls must be removed from within it before digging a trench beneath the basement floor around its perimeter footings to receive drain tile installation before being directed into a sump pit for pumping outside to channel away water away from your home.
When installing a basement drain tile system, it’s crucial that you contact an experienced contractor. A pro can quickly detect signs of trouble such as salt-like residue on basement walls (efflorescence), puddles of water around your home’s exterior or cracks in its foundation; acting early will reduce damages further and costs significantly less to repair.