What Is Drain Tile System?
Different types of Drain tile are commonly known as drainage tile, French drain, weeping tile, perforated drain, foundation drain, perimeter drain or drainage channel, etc. A drain tile system carries water away from the foundation of the house.
If the basement of your residential house has water or crawl space, you may have heard of “drain tile” for its disposal. If you are considering buying a home in a location with a water flow problem, perhaps a home inspector will advise you to install a drain tile system for your home.
Drain tile system is the only solution for you to solve the water problems in the basement of your home. A drain tile system can be the answer to problems like your water problems.
Drain tile systems are installed in a gravel bed over a perforated pipe in the ground. Water from the surrounding ground enters through holes in the pipe through the spaces between the gravel. A perforated pipe drains water away from the foundation.
Types of Drain Tile System
Interior Drain Tile System
Interior drain system offers a clog-free alternative to traditional exterior drainage systems. Interior drain system will not stick like exterior drain tile system. Because it is installed in the “clear water zone” area at the top of the base around the perimeter of the basement.
In an interior drain tile system, the perforated pipes are installed along the floor inside the foundation to deliver water to the sump pump. A filling is done with washed gravel around the perforated pipes. In addition, perforated pipes are covered with filter paper and drain trip. Then, after the installation of this pipe is completed, the concrete will be poured and the basement will be cleaned.
Water appears around the perimeter of the basement by hydrostatic pressure whenever the ground around your home expands due to heavy rain or excessive snow. Which will usually push the water table under your house by the hydrostatic pressure into your basement with excess pressure.
An interior drain tile system is a way to permanently end the water damage in the basement of the house. Which will divert any excess water due to heavy rain to the sump pump.
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Advantages of Interior Drain Tile System
1. Easy Installation
Exterior excavation is less required for the installation of the Interior Drain Tile. Its installation is relatively quick and easy. It can be installed at any time of the year as it requires little digging.
2. Complete Water Seepage Solution
The interior drain tile system removes the hydrostatic pressure caused by increasing groundwater and prevents water damage to the concrete wall. Therefore, waterproofing does not have to be done.
3. Low Cost
Since the internal drain tile system is usually easy to install, it costs less than the Exterior Drain Tile System.
4. Require Landscaping
The interior drain tile system does not usually require landscaping and removal of concrete surfaces for external waterproofing.
5. Hydrostatic Pressure Relief:
This type of drainage system drains water from the inside of the basement floor through a continuous piping system to the bottom of the floor.
6. External Factors
Such internal systems are not damaged by changes in soil conditions due to external factors.
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Disadvantages of Interior Drain Tile System
1. Remove the Shelving or Cabinets
Stored items, shelving, or cabinets may need to be moved before installing Interior Drain Tile. In addition, installation of Interior Drain Tile requires the removal of carpeting or flooring.
2. Without Sealant
If the foundation of the building is brick or stone, the external sealant is required. Without an external sealant, water can damage the masonry foundation.
3. Access
Since excavations are being carried out for its installation, the basement cannot be used during that time.
Exterior Drain Tile System
The external drain tile system removes water from the ground around the base. So that water can be drained before damaging the wall. The structure of a building is built on a foundation made of materials like concrete blocks, bricks, stones. Therefore, external drain tile can prevent major problems with the foundation of the building.
Exterior drain tile systems are usually installed at the lowest point in the outer perimeter of your home. Exterior drain tile systems carry surface water and groundwater away from the base through perforated pipes.
Exterior drainage systems have a perforated pipe in a gravel bed installed outside the underground foundation, so there is sometimes a risk of eventually being filled with dirt, roots, and debris.
Exterior drainage systems are often a tedious process. Because they need to be dug to install around the base of the house. Therefore, flowerbeds and gardens, walkways, porches, etc. also have to be removed. In addition, gas and water lines, sewerage systems, and electrical wires can pose hazards during excavation.
Exterior Drain Tile Installation
Exterior drain tile installation should be installed under the supervision of a professional contractor. A professional contractor will be able to advise you on the width and depth of the trench and its location for the Exterior drain tile installation for your home.
A trench is dug around the entire foundation for the Exterior drain tile installation. That ditch is not a big or wide ditch. Safety concerns such as sewer lines, electrical cables are generally taken into consideration in determining the width of the trench. Although the drain tile is usually narrow, sufficient space must be provided for its installation.
Then, a gravel bed is prepared at the bottom of the drain in the trench. The drain pipe is a perforated pipe made of PVC covered with a filtration cloth. Then, the perforated drain pipe is installed on the prepared gravel bed next to the footing. The installed drain pipe is covered with gravel. Then, the trench is backfilled.
The foundation of your home needs to be waterproof for tile installation. For that, the foundation should do basement waterproofing to protect against seepage.
Some people prefer to skip waterproofing. Which later causes more cost and time to do waterproofing in the basement. It is usually best to apply a waterproofing coating to the outer wall of the foundation. Currently, many commercial contractors consider the method used by waterproofing suitable.
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Advantages of Exterior Drain Tile System
1. Slight Disruption of Basement Interior:
Exterior Drain Tile Installation Most of the work is done on the outer perimeter of the building.
2. Helps to Drain Water from the Ground:
This external drain system drains the saturated earth around the house. Which provides security to the foundation.
3. Exterior Sealant:
Allows for the application of exterior waterproofing due to thorough excavation.
Disadvantages of Exterior Drain Tile System
1. Less Economical:
The process of installing an external drain tile is more laborious and time-consuming than an internal installation. Also especially for full depth basements.
2. Disruptive on the Exterior:
Its installation requires the removal of any landscaping or pavement near the obstructing house.
3. Cost
In general, an exterior drain tile system costs two to three times the cost of interior installation, including exterior waterproofing coating. The final cost of installing an exterior drain tile system depends on the depth of the foundation and any repairs. In addition, costs such as landscaping, deck, and sidewalk removal may increase.
The interior drain tile or exterior drain tile proper remedy for disposal of home water problems the homeowner needs the advice and services of a basement waterproofing contractor with experience for the most effective installation.
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Cost of Drain Tile System
The drain tile system consists of perforated pipes and washed gravel. Washed gravel is installed as a bed of perforated pipe and next to the pipe. The pipe discharges water through a sump pump into the sump basin at one end away from the foundation.
Interior Drain Tile System Cost
An internal drain tile is excavated approximately 12 inches wide along the perimeter of the basement by cutting a portion into the basement floor.
Interior Drain Tile System Costs can range from $ 8,000 to $ 15,000, depending on the choice of sump pump and other accessories.
Exterior Drain Tile System Cost
The exterior drain tile system is installed after applying external waterproofing material on the foundation walls. The bottom of the footing is excavated. Which should be wide enough to work for the installation of the drain tile.
In general, an exterior drain tile system costs two to three times the cost of interior installation, including exterior waterproofing coating. The final cost of installing an exterior drain tile system depends on the depth of the foundation and any repairs. In addition, costs such as landscaping, deck, and sidewalk removal may increase.
The interior drain tile or exterior drain tile proper remedy for disposal of home water problems the homeowner needs the advice and services of a basement waterproofing contractor with experience for the most effective installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Types of Drain Tile
- Interior Drain Tile System
- Exterior Drain Tile System
What Is an Interior Drain Tile System?
In the internal drain tile system, perforated pipes are installed along the floor just inside the foundation to redirect water through the sump pump. Perforated pipes are surrounded by washed gravel and covered with filter paper and drain trip.
Are Interior Drain Tiles Worth It?
A drain tile system is the only solution for you to solve the water problems in the basement of your home. A drain tile system can be the answer to problems like your water problems.
How Deep Are Interior Drain Tiles?
Interior type of Drain Tiles are usually dug to a depth of 12 inches below the concrete floor slab.
How Does Interior Drain Tile Work?
In an interior drain tile system, the perforated pipes are installed along the floor inside the foundation to deliver water to the sump pump. A filling is done with washed gravel around the perforated pipes.
In addition, perforated pipes are covered with filter paper and drain trip. Then, after the installation of this pipe is completed, the concrete will be poured and the basement will be cleaned. An interior drain tile system is a way to permanently end the water damage in the basement of the house. Which will divert any excess water due to heavy rain to the sump pump.
What Is an Exterior Drain Tile System?
The external drain tile system removes water from the ground around the base. So that water can be drained before damaging the wall. The structure of a building is built on a foundation made of materials like concrete blocks, bricks, and stones. Therefore, external drain tile can prevent major problems with the foundation of the building.
How Does Exterior Drain Tile Work?
The exterior drain tile serves to drain water from the soil around the base. Therefore, external drain tile prevents structural damage from groundwater.
How Do You Install Exterior Drain Tile?
A trench is dug around the entire foundation for the Exterior drain tile installation. That ditch is not a big or wide ditch. Safety concerns such as sewer lines and electrical cables are generally taken into consideration in determining the width of the trench. Although the drain tile is usually narrow, sufficient space must be provided for its installation.
Then, a gravel bed is prepared at the bottom of the drain in the trench. The drain pipe is a perforated pipe made of PVC covered with a filtration cloth. Then, the perforated drain pipe is installed on the prepared gravel bed next to the footing. The installed drain pipe is covered with gravel. Then, the trench is backfilled.
How Much Does an Interior Drain Tile System Cost?
The cost of a full-perimeter drain tile installation can range from $ 8,000 to $ 15,000, depending on the choice of sump pump and other accessories.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Exterior Drain Tile?
In general, an exterior drain tile system costs two to three times the cost of interior installation, including exterior waterproofing coating.
The final cost of installing an exterior drain tile system depends on the depth of the foundation and any repairs. In addition, costs such as landscaping, deck, and sidewalk removal may increase.
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