Drain tile may be necessary if you live in an area susceptible to severe flooding or where soil conditions are particularly dense; drain tile redirects excess water away from damaging basement or crawl space areas. Keep in mind that drain tile does not prevent flooding; rather, it only redirects it so as to not compromise your foundation or crawl space.
Hunker defines drain tile as a system of porous PVC or flexible plastic pipes laid around a home’s foundation and designed to collect excess water and direct it downhill or into an underground pit, where an electric sump pump removes it from the home using gravity or an electric sump pump system.
Drain tile systems are typically installed during construction of new homes by digging a trench along the foundation footings or underneath the floor slab, although retrofitting them to existing properties that feature either a crawl space or basement is also possible.
Apart from preventing flooding and water intrusion, drain tile systems also offer several other advantages. They reduce the amount of mud and silt left behind after heavy rainstorms, helping reduce erosion risk as well as soil contamination risks. Furthermore, drain tile systems promote healthier plant growth since water can pass more freely without pooling near their roots.
Though there are various kinds of drain tile systems, they all abide by one basic principle. Water naturally seeks the path of least resistance, and drain tile systems provide it. Pipe used in the system features many holes or perforations to allow water to pass through while keeping silt and other debris out; then after which washed gravel covering is placed over the pipe to help avoid blockages while porous fabric acts to allow moisture in while blocking soil out.
If you are considering installing a drain tile system into your current home, our professionals are available to offer expert advice and installation. They’ll know which option would be most suitable and whether or not your foundation can support such an investment. Contact us to learn more and set an appointment now!