Most homeowners have heard the term “drain tile”, yet few understand its purpose or appearance beyond knowing it’s a pipe installed at the foundation to channel water away from basements – this system may also be known as French drains or perimeter drains.
Drain tile was developed to prevent groundwater from damaging building foundations and to divert excess water in an easy and timely fashion. Drain tiles consist of perforated pipes layered with washed gravel that are installed along foundation footings inside or outside a structure and set into trenches alongside their footings, often covered by soil layers to protect it from erosion. They’re connected to sump pumps or drainage points where excess water can easily be eliminated or diverted away from foundations.
Drain tiles enable excess water to escape into the surrounding soil rather than building hydrostatic pressure that pushes against a basement slab, leading to cracks in walls and floor slabs. Furthermore, drain tiles help soil breathe by decreasing moisture content for reduced plant health benefits and to “breathe.”
Though it is possible to retrofit an existing home with a drain tile system, it is generally simpler and less costly to do it during construction. Installing drain tile also offers another benefit when prepping land for development as this step can take place prior to footings being laid for foundations.
Installing a drain tile system serves two primary purposes. First, it relieves hydrostatic pressure which may cause flooding or leaks in your basement, second it diverts water away from foundation so grass and other plants can thrive with moisture but without becoming saturated soil.
A water quality improvement system may even help a property’s lawn and garden by decreasing soil erosion and runoff of phosphorus, an essential ingredient to eutrophication. Drain tile may also help reduce nitrogen, making a positive contribution to lake, river and coastal waters’ health. Note, however, that drain tile systems should not be seen as a replacement for full foundation waterproofing treatments. If your basement tends to flood regularly, professional assistance should still be enlisted in order to install full waterproofing measures and keep water out. Here, you’ll find more information about how waterproofing treatments can protect the foundation of your home. Speak with a reputable waterproofing contractor near you today about installing drain tile systems as a means of safeguarding its foundation.