Foundation Drain Tile and Two Options for Waterproofing Your Basement
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The purpose of the foundation drain tile is to catch the excess water and prevent it from entering your basement through the cracks in the floor or walls. The drain pipe connects to a sump pit where this water runoff gets disposed of by a sump pump.
Which to Choose: Interior or Exterior Drain Tile?
As we mentioned, drain tile can be installed on either side of the foundation. And there are quite a few advantages and disadvantages of both methods. Here are a few things you should take into consideration before deciding which drain tile location will be the best solution to your basement water issues.
Disruption and excavation
In both cases you will have to dig a trench. Exterior approach is more labor intensive, as you have to remove and then backfill large amounts of dirt. Porches, driveways and other home additions may also get in the way and will have to be disrupted to complete the trench. If you opt for interior drain tile installation, be ready to remove basement floor coverings and a few inches of the concrete floor slab around the perimeter.
Water access points
Exterior drain will help prevent water from seeping through your porous concrete foundation walls or joints in masonry. This will help preserve structural integrity of your foundation and prevent cracks and leaks. An interior drain, on the other hand, will help relieve hydrostatic pressure by draining the water from underneath your foundation, as well as direct water coming through the foundation walls.
Ease of maintenance
Both systems are equally tough to repair and service if something goes wrong. If the pipe comes loose or breaks apart, there is no easy way of pinpointing the exact location, so you might have to dig once again. This means disrupting the landscape or tearing up your newly finished basement. The good news is that modern drain tiles are made to last and when properly installed, shouldn’t be subject to any movement.
Expenses
Due to the time and labor involved in excavation, exterior drain tile project will cost you way more than an interior job.
The best use for an exterior foundation drain system is a new home construction. The excavation is in progress anyway, so you might as well use this opportunity to waterproof your home. Add a coat of watertight membrane to further help keep the water out. If, however, you are researching basement waterproofing solutions for an older home, the interior drain tile is usually the way to go. It costs less and works just as effectively. Consult with a few local basement waterproofing professionals before making this important decision. Excavation might be necessary to repair cracks or reinforce the foundation, in which case you can take advantage of the outside method.
This article was written by Budget Waterproofing, Maryland basement waterproofing professionals helping homeowners solve their wet basement problems for over 55 years.
