If you have ever experienced basement or crawlspace seepage, chances are that you have encountered “basement drain tile.” This underground drainage system helps prevent water leaks and flooding by diverting groundwater away from foundation footings – also referred to as weeping tile, French drain, or basement floor drain.
Contractors often install basement drain tile during new home construction; however, retrofitting it to older properties is also possible.
Drain tile systems utilize a network of pipes connected by sump pits/pumps, storage containers and/or daylighting to direct excess water away from foundation footers and away from basement/crawl space footers, helping prevent it from seeping into either. They’re essential in keeping these spaces dry.
Hydrostatic pressure causes water to flow up through a foundation wall’s cove and collect in cracks or holes caused by its presence, potentially wreaking havoc with both foundations and house structures if left untreated.
Therefore, it is crucial that a trusted foundation waterproofing specialist inspect the situation and offer solutions that will effectively keep your basement or crawl space dry. Doing this will ensure the right waterproofing system is installed to keep things damp-proofed.
A basic purpose of a basement drain tile system is to create an outlet for excess water, redirecting it towards its intended destination – away from foundation walls. Drainage pipes typically consist of perforated plastic, fiberglass, PVC or concrete with narrow openings designed specifically to let in water but keep out dirt, rocks or debris that could clog them up.
A trench is dug along the foundation footings and then covered with washed stone to protect it from becoming covered with soil over time. A 4″ drain tile, protected with a filter sock, is placed inside this trench before it’s filled up with washed stone for drainage. On occasion, this system must be cleared out and refilled.
When not maintained properly, drain tile systems become vulnerable to failure and must be replaced. This often results from fine particles of soil entering the drainpipe which cause frequent clogs or tree roots infiltrating it over time and making the system less effective over time.
Installation of a basement drain tile system during construction can be easily and quickly completed, while for existing homes it could prove more complex requiring excavation and possibly using a jackhammer to break up concrete layers. Therefore, the best approach would be hiring an experienced foundation waterproofing contractor as doing it yourself could result in further costly home repairs.