Basement – Drain Tile Test
What Is The Purpose Of Drain Tile?
The name drain tile is often confusing to many homeowners. In actuality, the term “tile” is a reference back to homes built before the 1950s that used an orange clay material that resembled tile. They allowed water to channel into the soil outside the foundation. These old systems failed over time and modern replacements in drain tile use material like heavy-duty plastic. The purpose of an interior drain tile system is to move water away from the foundation and the home by guiding the water into the sump crock and ejecting it with a sump pump.
When Drain Tile Fails
Drain tile in the interior of a basement can fail in several ways. Most commonly, drain tile can have infiltration from soil or tree roots that are placed too close to the home, it can crack and break as the home shifts and settles over time, it can fill with mud, sand or shale and bleeders and weep holes can become clogged. These can result in a leak against the cove of the wall. There are also some additional considerations:
* Level of water table in your area
A high water table increases the chance of water seeping in cracks under the slab.
* The age of the home and type of footing
Older homes may have a footing that is too narrow. They also may have original clay tile that is broken or missing.
* Grade or slop of the slab
A subtle exterior grade towards the sump pump is common in older homes. Modern drain tile takes this slope along the interior of the footing towards the sump pump, rather than allowing the water to collect on the exterior of the home.
* Type of soil
Heavy clay soils tend to hold water against the foundation. This increase in water retention is often referred to as hydrostatic pressure and can not only cause water infiltration, but structural problems as well.
Milwaukee basement repair contractor Accurate Basement Repair recommends taking all of these factors into consideration when researching an interior drain tile system repair.
