If you own an older home or are considering purchasing one, chances are someone has mentioned drain tile to you. Drain tile serves to prevent leakage into your basement or crawl space as well as direct groundwater away from foundations if they do not drain well; failure to do this can create hydrostatic pressure that seeps into basements or causes cracks to appear in foundations resulting in increased hydrostatic pressure that leads to cracking in foundations or seepage of water into them.
Drain tile systems can be retrofitted into existing homes, but for optimal performance it should be added during new home construction. A trench is dug along the foundation footer and drain tile piping is installed before being covered by crushed rock or gravel to meet code specifications; then tar paper and straw are laid over top of this layer in order to prevent silt build-up that might clog drainage pipes in future.
Drain tiles themselves are perforated to allow water to enter while silt or other debris does not, then once in place they are covered by washed gravel that cannot enter its holes or perforations and is good at filtering out as the system filters through it. Finally, this covered pipe is then covered by soil to complete installation.
Drain tile systems not only prevent water leakage in basements and crawl spaces, they can also contribute to keeping the soil around your house healthy and productive. They relieve hydrostatic pressure by diverting excess water away from foundations; at the same time they keep unwanted rain out of gardens and lawns so that plants receive oxygen they need for growth.
Although drain tile systems cannot completely prevent all forms of water damage, they can significantly decrease the risk. Furthermore, they make an ideal addition to a backyard garden experiencing standing water or poor drainage conditions. Installing a drain tile system in your yard will improve drainage and the health of soil and grass, and may even lower property taxes as water absorption rates increase and plants thrive more effectively. When looking at new homes, ask whether the backyard features a drain tile system and how it operates. If not, installing one may increase resale value of your property and is an investment which may pay dividends over time! Consult a professional home inspector about installing drain tiles to protect your home as an added layer of security; they can also advise if further inspections may be required and give peace of mind that everything is in working order!