Installing Weeping Tile Systems That Last

DO Install Your Weeping Tile Above the "Mud Zone"

When your foundation is built, and before your concrete slab floor is placed, the builders will create a level surface by filling in some of the space with dirt. In some cases, they will place gravel on top of that dirt.

Any weeping tile system should be installed above that level of dirt to keep from clogging.

Why It Works:

If you place a drainage system directly in mud, that mud is going to wash into the drainage system. Over time, this mud will build up and potentially clog your drain. At Basement Systems, we prefer to install our drains above this mud zone to keep your drain functioning the way it's meant to.

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DON'T Leave An Open Gap Along The Floor

One important key to a waterproofing system is its ability to collect water from the walls, whether the walls are leaking now or simply have the potential to leak in the future.

To try to accomplish this, many contractors will install an open gap that's flush with the basement floor. While creating a way to collect water from the walls is the right idea, this is the wrong way of doing it.

Do This Instead!

A better way is to have spacers along the back of the flange that stick up above the floor for 3/8".By creating this wall flange, you protect the wall drain from collecting with dirt, dust, and debris that could be swept into it from the floor.

If your Basement Systems dealer is also installing one of our basement wall products for you, we can tuck this neatly into this wall flange, directing all water from your walls to your drainage system.

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DO Install A Sump Pump System

Some contractors will install a weeping tile system that includes a "gravity drain" that is meant to drain water without any mechanical help.

Basement Systems prefers to install sump pump systems, which will pump the water away from your house.

Why It Works:

Gravity drains must run downhill, and your basement is already underground. It's very rare that a gravity drain system can be installed properly.

A sump pump system will be able to pump the water away from your house, no matter how your house is situated in your yard.

Sump pump systems are also much less likely to clog than gravity drains. As the water is being pumped out of your system, it rushes out quickly, with much less time for sediments to build up as they may with a gravity drain.

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Don't Install Your Weeping Tile From The Exterior Of The Foundation

Some contractors tell homeowners that the best way to waterproof a basement is from the outside.

Installing a drain along the base of your foundation requires you to excavate your foundation to place the drain. This process drives up the price of installation dramatically.

Once the drain system has been installed, dirt is pulled on top of it to fill the excavated space.

Over time, some of this dirt will make its way into your weeping tile, clogging the system. Once clogged, the only way to service the system is to excavate the foundation again.

Do This Instead!

Installing weeping tile on the inside of the home often costs less than half the price of one installed along the exterior. Interior weeping tile systems can be installed with no disruption to your yard or landscaping, and the installation can be completed in one, perhaps two days.

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DO Hire A Professional

A "Jack Of All Trades" is a master of none. There are many mistakes made with weeping tile installation these days -- and many of them are being made by plumbers, general contractors, and do-it-yourselfers.

We recommend that you consult with a professional, certified waterproofer before installing weeping tile in your home.

Why It Works:

Professional waterproofers are experts in their field -- installing weeping tile and sump pumps is what they do every day. A reliable company will offer a warranty with their system that can be transferred to the next homeowner should you decide to sell the home. Waterproofing your home well is their livelihood!

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Don't Install Generic Weeping Tile

Many homeowners will see the lower cost of PVC pipe materials over modern drainage systems and opt for them instead. At Basement Systems, we strongly recommend against installing a PVC pipe system in your basement for drainage.

Do This Instead!

Modern improvements on PVC drain tile have made systems that install much more quickly and are more clog-resistant.

Larger, clumsier PVC weeping tile systems require the installer to jackhammer a larger section of the floor and dig deeper. Your contractor will work harder and longer to remove the extra debris, and spend more money on concrete as they restore the concrete after installation.

While the initial cost of PVC may be lower, you'll be paying the difference in installation time, removal of debris, and extra concrete. So how much money would you really be saving?