Comments About Basement Drain Tile Systems

Interior Drain Tile

• This type of system is located either above, below or along the edge of the concrete slab that is your house's foundation. Most interior drain tile systems are below the concrete slab. To install this type of drain tile, a contractor must remove approximately 1 to 2 feet of concrete foundation. Once the foundation is removed, the contractor digs a trench and fills it with gravel. Contractors then install a waterproofing product that directs any rainwater from the foundation wall into the drainage system. Concrete is then poured back over the drain tile and gravel.

Exterior Drain Tile

• Drain tile laid around the outside of your home's foundation is usually installed during new construction. This type of drain tile collects and redirects water from the subsurface around your home. Exterior drain tile can be added to an existing building, but it is more costly to install than drain tile that is installed during construction. When installing exterior drain tile around an existing foundation, you must also remove obstacles such as shrubs and possibly sidewalks. This type of drain tile usually drains into a sump.

Maintenance

• One of the biggest problems with drain tile -- otherwise known as a French drain system -- occur when the drain gets clogged with dirt and debris. Over time, you will need to maintain and clean your drain pipes to make sure they are working to full capacity. If you notice water backing up in your basement or around your foundation, you either need to clean the drain yourself or hire a contractor to do the work.

Replacement

• Over time, as your house settles and the ground around your home erodes, you or a contractor may need to rework the ground around your foundation. If water begins to pond or your pipes or drain tiles become broken or bent, you will need to remove and replace the drain tile and perform earthwork to prevent any ponding of water. Replacing your drain tile is important to keeping the entire system working properly.