Drain tile is an underground network of pipes designed to keep your basement dry and prevent water leakage, by diverting groundwater away from its foundation of your home and into an underground drainage system, such as a sump pit or sump pit where it can then be pumped further away or downhill. Drain tiles should be considered essential if you live in areas that experience frequent rainfall rates; especially for basements that flood regularly.
Signs of moisture accumulation on walls and floors (efflorescence) or puddles around your basement floor are indicators that something might be amiss in your basement, requiring immediate action to rectify. A drain tile installation could be the perfect way to tackle this problem quickly.
Exterior drain tiles are commonly installed during new home construction; however, existing basements may also benefit from installing exterior drain tiles if issues arise early enough. Exterior drain tile typically comprises perforated plastic, fiberglass or pvc pipe that lays beneath your foundation at footer level and contains narrow openings designed to allow water to pass through while keeping dirt out.
An interior drain is another effective method for preventing basement leaks and flooding, though its installation requires more complex procedures. You must first dig a trench around the inside perimeter of your basement using a jackhammer before digging a trench that slopes downward towards a sump pit in one corner of your basement, filling it with gravel, rigid drain tile (rigid or flexible), and filtering out any dirt particles from below ground level with more washed gravel to protect its structure and prevent any possible mud particles entering through cracks in its construction.
Once installation is complete, a contractor replaces the basement floor and adds a sump pump to drain away water from your home. Furthermore, a cleanout should be installed so any potential clogs in your drain can be cleared out more easily; at Epp Foundation Repair we have never experienced an interior drain tile clog ourselves; should any problems arise though they’re easily managed by repair companies like ours.
An investment in a basement drainage system will protect and increase the value of your home. If you are having problems, don’t wait to contact a professional – they will quickly identify what caused them and provide solutions. Contact us now for your free estimate on basement waterproofing projects.