Hydrostatic pressure present around a home can result in seepage through basement walls and cracks in foundation footings, leading to seepage through basement walls and cracks in cove areas of foundation footings. Installing a drain tile system helps relieve this pressure and protect from such issues.
In this article we’ll take a deeper dive into how basement drain tiles operate and why you may require one in your home. We will cover differences between interior and exterior systems as well as different pipe materials used and costs involved.
Drain tile systems, also referred to as weeping tile, French drain, or drainage tile systems, consist of perforated pipes buried around the perimeter of a house in order to drain away water away from its foundation and into the soil outside of it. They’re especially helpful for waterproofing both basements and crawlspaces alike while they can also serve as yard drainage systems for landscaping purposes and other applications.
Homeowners can opt for drain tile systems in existing homes; however, for optimal results it is ideal to do it during construction. A contractor will remove all floor coverings in the basement before digging a trench along its interior perimeter to place a sump pit that connects to an exterior drainage pipe to carry away water from the system and out of the home.
Typically, pipes in basements are covered in washed stone to keep debris and other materials from blocking its path. Once installed, drain tiles can be framed into the walls so as to be out of living spaces and allow for finishing or storage areas that won’t be affected by drainage channels. Some drains even come equipped with removable grates for ease of maintenance.
As great as drain tile systems are for waterproofing needs in the home, it is essential to remember there are other contributing factors which can cause moisture issues in your basement and crawl space. Grade control, downspout placement and correcting foundation settlement all play key roles in avoiding moisture issues in these spaces.
Drain tile checks are one of the primary tests conducted by professional basement waterproofing specialists to ascertain if an interior drain tile is working as designed. An inspector will open several holes in the floor to detect standing water, mud and other debris and test pipe flow using a hose. If anything seems out-of-whack with the system, they will recommend repair as necessary. Repairs can range from minor regrading of soil to extensive excavation and installation of an exterior drain tile system, with earlier intervention costing less. This is especially beneficial in homes built with clay soils which retain more water against their foundation and cause structural damage over time.