Drain tile systems (also referred to as French drains, weeping tiles or foundation drains) are buried outside or inside of a home’s foundation at footing level to collect ground water and excess moisture for redirection away from it. Proper installation helps avoid moisture penetrating under basement floors and damaging structures; while also helping prevent soil erosion that contributes to home flooding.
If your house is located in an area with poor drainage, installing a drain tile system could save both time and money by helping reduce flooding caused by heavy rain or melting snow. An investment like this will bring peace of mind while paying dividends over time.
Drainage tile is a piping system typically installed during the construction of a new house to divert ground water and moisture away from basement or crawl space areas, diverting it towards an underground collection pit where it can then be evacuated by an electric sump pump. Drainage tiles are particularly effective at helping mitigate flooding during periods of rapid snow melt or heavy rainfall.
Unsecure or improper installation and maintenance can leave drain tile systems vulnerable to clogs caused by tree roots, which in turn result in flooding of basement floors and crawl spaces with water and sediment pooling below them, necessitating extensive and costly repairs. Furthermore, damage may also occur from compacting of soil around drain pipes or changes in their slope.
Drain tile is used primarily to protect basement and crawl space environments from water damage, making it an invaluable asset in areas that experience frequent or prolonged high precipitation or flooding. Drain tile may even prove useful in existing homes if constructed on soil that drains well.
Installation of drain tile should ideally occur during new home construction; however, existing homes can benefit from retrofitting it to offer protection from future problems. It is advisable to inquire about drainage systems when buying older homes located in wet environments; doing so can give peace of mind.
Installing drain tile is an intelligent decision for any homeowner, even in areas that do not experience frequent or prolonged precipitation or flooding. Not only will it lower the ground water table and lessen flooding risks; but it will also prevent moisture seepage into basements and crawl spaces which could otherwise lead to costly repairs and health problems as well as increase its resale value and decrease homeowners insurance premiums by protecting against costly water damage.