Drain tile is one of the best ways to prevent and treat basement water intrusion. It alleviates hydrostatic pressure under the foundation, eliminates two sources of seepage in the basement and works effectively when combined with other waterproofing methods like wall coatings or drainage systems.
Waterproofing systems can be installed both inside and outside the basement; during construction or afterwards. As with all basement waterproofing solutions, however, field drainage systems may provide better solutions in certain instances than sump pumps alone.
Interior and exterior drain tile systems are designed to channel water away from foundation footings. These drains, whether rigid or flexible, are placed underneath the soil to collect rainwater before discharging it in one of two places: either your sump pit in your basement, or daylight drains that lead downhill away from your house.
Cost of drain tile installation varies greatly based on the type of pipe used, its flexibility or rigidity and whether or not it’s installed for an existing or new build home. Rigid PVC pipe tends to be the least costly choice and comes in 10-foot lengths; its durable nature means it can withstand lots of wear. Flexible perforated drain tiles look similar to regular PVC, but feature small holes built into their sides that let water pass through while filtering out debris; these drain tiles can often be seen installed both in existing homes as well as new builds.
Drain tile installation typically occurs in an excavation trough beneath footings and then covered with gravel or crushed stone to protect against pipe clogs and backfill to within 6 inches of final grade grade of your basement floor. For maximum impact during a basement remodel project, consider including an interior French drain during construction.
Installing an interior drain tile involves taking several steps. Workers begin by cutting away a strip of flooring and excavating out concrete to form a trench for perforated pipe to be laid in, which will be then be filled in with gravel to form an environment for perforated pipe to run through before being directed toward your basement sump pit or drainage basin for collecting and pumping out excess water to the surface.
As drain tile systems are relatively straightforward and comprised of readily-available materials, do-it-yourselfers have attempted to install one themselves. As with any form of basement waterproofing solution, however, professional help should always be sought – doing it yourself could prove hazardous and end up costing more in the end! We strongly urge any prospective do-it-yourselfers to reconsider and find an experienced contractor instead.