Are you worried about the excess of water in your home that might compromise its foundation? Then this article is for you! Get to know more about home drain tile, how it works, and why you should have one yourself!
In any residential home construction, a house drain tile system is at work deep in the earth. While some homes may not have a drain tile system, it is a great feature that you can establish especially if you want the foundations of your home to be safe during heavy rain or snowmelt. The excess of water from these factors can cause catastrophic problems in your basement that will eventually compromise the overall bedrock of your house. Here are the things you need to know about where to start with home drain tile.
What is a drain tile system?
Simply put, a drain tile system is a drainage system that is installed around the perimeter of your home. Ironically, a drain tile system is not a tile at all. This system is composed of porous plastic with PVC pipes that are installed beneath the ground. The system is intended to collect water around your basement and channel the water flow in the proper direction. The drainage works through a series of long perforated pipes adjacent to the foundation of your house. The drain tile system can be installed either outside or inside your house.
How does the drain tile system work?
Water that accumulates around the base of your home can lead to hydrostatic pressure. The pressure can leak into your home, damaging its foundation and creating more damage especially when left unattended. A drain tile system is highly needed for this to prevent water buildup. The drain tile pipes are laid beneath the ground with crushed rock or gravel on top of them. The rock and gravel equalize the weight coming from the soil, and they act as a “perforated” pass through while the water is running through the pipe.
Through the perforated pipe, water runs downslope and away from the house. Depending on where your location is, the water terminates either at a sump pump or to the heat of daylight.
What is drain tile used for?
You might be thinking: What is drain tile used for? And do I really need it? In installing drain tile, keep in mind that drain tiles offer a great advantage especially in preventing a clog up. For this reason, most building codes require drain tiles to be installed.
The drain tile is used for managing excess water around the base of your home. Excess water may come from heavy rain or other harsh elements in the weather such as a heavy snow meltdown. The house drain tile system is ideal if you want to protect your home from water damage. A plus benefit? A drain tile system also increases the resale value of your property if you decide to sell it in the future.
To top it all off, a house drain tile can relieve water pressure that could affect basement floors. This also means that you get to secure an insurance policy, especially if you are installing, repairing, or constructing a home with a basement. Always make sure to leave the installation process of home drain tiles to the professionals and drainage experts to secure 100% efficiency and better results.
There are generally two types of drain tile systems: rigid and flexible pipe for drain tile system
Rigid pipe
There are generally two types of drain tile systems: rigid and flexible pipe. The rigid pipe is basically a PVC pipe with holes on one side. These pipes have built-in bell-mouth ends to allow pipes to connect from end to end or with separate couplings. In addition, the holes are placed facing down, and the water makes its way into the pipe. Because it is rigid, it requires corner fittings. A great thing about rigid pipes is that it is crush-resistant up to 3000 pounds. Rigid PVC pipes are usually installed in 10-foot sections.
Flexible pipe
The flexible pipe, on the other hand, is corrugated in nature with perforations that water can pass through. These pipes come in long coils, generally about 50 feet long. These small slits prevent large soil particles from entering the pipe. While relatively cheaper than the rigid PVC pipe, the flexible pipe has higher chances of getting crushed during trench backfills. Oftentimes, the flexible pipe has a pre-attached sock that is wrapped around the pipe.
The basic requirement for drain tile installation
To have a drain tile system installed, the first thing that you should do is to consult your local council about the requirements needed. Your local community may require a drain tile system, most especially if your home has low-grade spaces. Not all homes are required to have a drain tile system, though. If your house has well-drained ground and is abundant with soil and gravel mixture, then your house may be excluded.
Consult with your local plumbing and drainage experts about drainage permit requirements for your drain tiles. After securing a permit, the drain tile must also undergo a damp proofing inspection. Take note that other companies do not offer FREE consultation about these matters, so make sure to choose the best company to work with for your drain tiles.
Next, take note of the proper measurements necessary for the drain tile system, as well as the right piping materials with a layout guide. If you are having a hard time completing these requirements, just call an expert for professional help.
Do you want to have home drain tiles installed? Our team at MidCity Plumbers offers a wide variety of plumbing services as well as drain tile installations to all customers in Burnaby and the surrounding areas. If you are also looking for quality PVC pipes, we can have them right before your doorstep, just give us a call on 📞 (778)-772-8676 today and we are more than happy to give you a complete installation service from the inspection stage all the way to the final step.
