How Does Basement Drain Tile Work?


If your basement is seeping or you notice signs of water intrusion such as salty residue on walls (efflorescence), and puddles in your yard, now may be the time to investigate its source. There are various solutions available such as installing a drain tile system which helps prevent groundwater from entering into your home – here’s how it works:

Interior and exterior drain tile systems differ significantly; an interior system should be installed beneath your basement floor/slab to keep moisture at bay and prevent it from reaching your house’s foundation, while an exterior drainage system encases its perimeter at footer level, like most new homes do today; existing homes can also be retrofitted with them.

Interior drain tile systems consist of rigid or flexible perforated pipes with holes on their interior surface that collect and channel away any moisture that has collected around your foundation’s base. Once moisture has collected in your drain tile system, it is then channeled off by sump pump for removal from your basement floor/slab.

Hydrostatic pressure occurs when there is more water in the soil than can be absorbed, creating an excess that pushes against any obstacles it encounters, including your foundation. Over time, this pressure can lead to cracks or fissures appearing in your walls unless some form of drainage system collects and directs this excess towards a sump pit with an appropriate sump pump installed for disposal. A drain tile system helps combat this by collecting any surplus and diverting it towards its proper destination – in this instance – where sump pumps can safely pump it away safely before.

Installing an interior drain tile system in your home offers numerous advantages. It can reduce cracking in your foundation, protect structural integrity in your basement and stop mold growth while providing safe and dry living conditions for you and your family – it is no wonder such systems are so popular among waterproofing basements!

Interior drain tile systems present many disadvantages when installed into homes, the primary one being their laborious installation process. Installing one involves moving all your belongings out of the basement and tearing up your floor to install drain tiles; therefore it should only be left to professionals for this job.

An exterior drain tile system can make installing waterproofing in your basement much simpler, without needing to relocate or dismantle any components in your basement. It is a cost-effective and straightforward method of doing so; simply dig a trench around its foundation, install rigid or flexible drain tile pipe inside, then cover it with gravel to filter out dirt and water as it travels into a sump pit for collection. Combine with other waterproofing solutions for an effective long-term solution!