An Inside Drain Tile System: What Is It?

A drain tile system is a network of pipes installed underground to manage excess water and prevent it from seeping into your home. It is designed to redirect water from the basement or crawl space, and away from the home in general. There are two main types of drain tile systems: interior and exterior.

In an interior drain tile system, the sump pump, located in the trench, is turned on when water gets to the sump pit. The pump then expels the water out of your home through a discharge pipe. Drain tile collects water before it has a chance to seep into your living space and cause damage. There are two main types of drain tile systems: interior and exterior.

A drain tile system is less impacted by the elements than an exterior system, serving the same purpose as an interior drainage system but being less impacted by the elements. Interior drainage systems, or an internal perimeter drain system, are clog-free alternatives to traditional exterior drainage systems.

A drainage tile system is an interior or exterior waterproofing solution that stops water from pooling near your foundation. An interior weeping tile system allows water that has pooled in a concrete block or cinder block foundation to drain, thus preventing water from leaking or flooding.

Drain tile refers to a system of perforated pipes laid along the foundation, inside or outside. Also known as French drains or perimeter drains, a drain tile system ensures that your basement or crawl space cannot be flooded by ground water.

What is an interior drain system?

Drain Tile is a crucial water management tool that is installed on the exterior of a home, near the foundation’s footing and beneath the basement floor. It collects water from beneath the basement floor and through foundation walls, addressing seepage and providing a longer life expectancy at a lower installed cost. Drain Tile is similar to a polished drainage pipe, sometimes called a French Drain. It is typically connected to a sump pump in the interior of the home, which collects and discharges the water away from the building.

However, over time, external Drain Tile systems can fail due to elements like fines or silt, which can cause recurring clogging issues and infiltrate tree roots, making the system ineffective. An Internal Drain Tile system, installed on the inside of the home, serves the same purpose as an External Drain Tile system but is less affected by elements.

What is an interior drain tile system for a basement?

The interior drain tile system collects water under and around a basement and directs it to a sump pit. It can be installed above the concrete slab, within the slab’s edge, or below the slab. A perforated pipe is placed under the basement floor, directing water to a sump pit. The sump pump then ejects the water from the basement.

An exterior drainage system directs outside water to a street’s sewer, draining soil around the home and relieving pressure from the foundation. Water gathers in a basin around the foundation, and a gravity pipe system directs it into a sump pump. The goal of both systems is to complete the basement, add usable living space, and eliminate mold, musty smells, and pooling water.

What is an internal drain?

Interior drainage systems collect water from the wall and floor, as well as the walls, to prevent water seeping into the basement. These systems connect with sump pumps to keep basements dry and safe from water damage. American Waterworks Interior Drainage Solutions offers five different French drain systems, including WaterGuard Below-Floor Drain, DryTrak Baseboard Drain Pipe, FlowGuard Thin Floor Drain System, WaterGuard Iron Ochre Perimeter Drain, and TrenchDrain Grated Drainage Pipe.

The WaterGuard System is the most common choice for basement waterproofing, installed below the concrete floor, lying on top of the foundation footing. This prevents the system from clogging the “mud zone” where drains tend to clog. The installation involves breaking out the concrete floor perimeter with a jackhammer to form a drainage trench, placing WaterGuard throughout the trench, backfilling with river rock to fill gaps, and covering with concrete.

What is the problem with tile drainage?

Tile can break down due to old age and cumulative loading, especially older tile not designed for heavy equipment and axle loads. Improper installation can lead to drainage failure, freeze-thaw cycles, and in-line tile problems, such as in-line siltation. Unstable soils can erode into the tile line, and installing fabric or filter socks on perforated tile may prevent sediment entry. Nearly level grades can also cause sediment to settle out and fill the line.

For drainage systems with terraces, ensure every terrace drains completely within 2 days after normal rainfall. If water stands too long, check for a plugged inlet or outlet. If no obstruction is found, hire a contractor to resolve the problem.

Leave a small buffer strip around tile standpipes and inlets to settle sediment before it enters the tile. Clear inlets with crop residue and ensure vegetation around standpipes is free of weeds, trees, and brush. Check intakes for machinery or livestock damage, repair or replace broken or bent intakes, paint inlets, use warning flags, and erect a temporary fence to keep livestock away.

Are interior drain tiles worth it?

Interior drain tile is a complete solution for waterproofing concrete walls, capturing rising groundwater, reducing hydrostatic pressure, and preventing concrete wall seepage. It is quick and easy to install, requiring no exterior excavation, and costing less than exterior tile systems. However, it may not be feasible for finished basements due to the need to remove existing concrete. Additionally, the installation may be limited in accessibility during installation, and it may not be as comprehensive for brick and stone foundations.

Exterior drain tile, also known as footing drains, surrounds the outside of the foundation to collect subsurface water and redirect it away from the home. Due to the excavation required, it is typically installed during construction or alongside other repair or renovation projects.

How do I know if I have a drain tile system?

A drain tile system is typically found in homes with a sump pit, which can be seen when drain tile is inserted. If no drain tile is present, the system is likely not present. The necessity of a drainage system depends on the soil’s drainage ability, such as sand and gravel content. If a home is built on well-draining soil, drain tile may be beneficial. Installing drain tile is relatively inexpensive and is required in most US areas for new construction projects. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider a drain tile system.

What is a tile drainage system?

Tile drainage is an agricultural system that removes excess sub-surface water from fields to allow proper soil cultivation and access for heavy machinery. It is often the most effective method for draining subsurface water. The term “tile drainage” comes from ceramic tiles of fired clay, which were similar to terracotta pipes but not always shaped as pipes. Today, tile drainage is a variation of this original system, using HDPE and PVC tubing called “tile line”, although precast concrete and ceramic tiles are still used. Typical pathways for agricultural drainage include treatment and reuse pathways.

What are examples of internal drain?

Internal drains, including those crafted from latex, plastic, and rubber, are employed as stents in urethral and ureteric strictures. However, these drains are non-irritating to the surrounding tissue and should not induce tissue fibrosis.

Does every house have a drain tile?

It is common practice to install drain tile systems in modern homes during the foundation phase. However, older homes may require a new system or repair due to the gradual seepage of groundwater over time.

Why is it called drain tile?

Drain tile, derived from the use of cylindrical/column-shaped clay tiles, has evolved over time to include options like corrugated pipe, schedule 35, and schedule 40. The choice depends on the project and drainage needs. Perforated tile is typically used for groundwater removal, while non-perforated is used for draining water from drains and downspouts.

Cake drain tiles, used in older homes, can shift with the ground and crack over time, disrupting water flow. Corrugated pipe, commonly used in drainage solutions, offers low cost and ease of manipulation but is not as superior as Schedule 40 due to its ability to crush more easily and potentially causing sagging or low points that can lead to back-up or clogs.

In conclusion, choosing the right drainage system depends on the specific application and needs of the project. Hughes Construction only installs Schedule 40 drain tile, while other options like corrugated pipe and schedule 35 are also available.

Do I need a drain tile system?

Drain tile is a crucial solution to protect homes from groundwater flooding caused by urban expansion and frequent severe weather systems. It redirects water away from the home, preventing damage and reducing insurance claims. The porous pipe used for drain tile allows water to enter the system rather than the home, and is directed away using gravity and a sump pump. This system can save homeowners from costly cleanups and insurance claims in the future.