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Generic Drain Tile Or The WaterGuard® System?

an ugly basement drain with a large gap along the perimeter.

Some drain tile systems leave a large, open gap along the exterior of the walls. This gap will release odors and humidity into the home and fill with debris.

At Basement Systems, waterproofing is what we do every day. That's why it's so important to us that our basement drain tile systems and sump pumps are the best in the business.

We've spent more than 20 years researching, installing, and improving on our basement drain systems, as well as our other drainage products, and we're confident that there's no system as reliable and effective as ours on the market.

We're also proud of our fast, efficient installation times. When you hire a Basement Systems dealer to waterproof your home, we'll send a crew to your home, installing the full drainage system, in most cases, in a day or two.

Our waterproofing systems include a written warranty -- and that warranty can be transferred to a new homeowner if you sell your home. What a perfect way to ensure the value of your home upon resale!

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Our basement drain systems are the tried and true way to keep your basement dry -- all the time! ! Call us for a free drain tile system estimate!

What Kind Of Drainage Pipe You Use Makes A BIG Difference!

What kind of drainage pipe you choose will significantly impact installation time and the ultimate effectiveness of your basement waterproofing system.

Ideally, you're going to want a drainage system that requires minimal jackhammering of your floor, that will not clog, and can be installed quickly and effectively in your home. So how does WaterGuard® measure up against generic drain tile?

Perforated PVC pipe used for basement waterproofing

Plastic or PVC Drain Tile

Generic plastic or PVC pipes are an old-fashioned, outdated way to waterproof a basement. They're typically large, round pipes, with holes in the pipes to collect water and send it to the sump pump.

Because of their large size and shape, it's difficult to place them snug with the wall. Typically, a large gap will be left around the outer perimeter, to collect water from the walls. Of course, it'll also collect debris from your basement floor, which can clog your system.

The pipe itself will need to be placed farther back, and also deeper than our drain systems would need to be placed. A deeper drain will collect more water than is needed to keep your basement dry. This will keep your pump running all the time, and your yard will be wet all the time.

Clogging & Potential Foundation Issues

Since it's larger and sitting in the mud instead of on the footing, a deeper drain will also have a larger chance of clogging. Sediment will collect on the rounded bottom of the drain, and there is a risk that it will wash away mud with the water as it drains, potentially creating voids under the foundation and leading to a settlement issue.

Longer Installation Time

One more disadvantage to this larger, more awkwardly shaped drain is in the labor and materials during installation. Your contractor will have to jackhammer more of your floor, dig more deeply, and use more concrete to restore your floor than a Basement Systems contractor. More work means more installation time, and more debris removed from your home. And if the system needs to be serviced, you will need to jackhammer the floor to access the drain. Who wants that?

More about Clogged Drain Tile.


cross-section of a WaterGuard® drain tile system

The WaterGuard®™ Basement Drain

While we have five different basement drainage systems and one crawl space drain, we are especially proud of our WaterGuard®™ Basement Drain System.

For most wet basements, our WaterGuard®™ system is the ideal answer. It installs snugly along the interior perimeter of the basement wall, collecting water and directing it to the sump pump.

Once installed, WaterGuard®™ is nearly invisible, save for a few service ports and our 3/8" wall flange, which is designed to collect water off the walls. Our basement wall products can also be tucked in to the system if you're interested in controlling humidity and upgrading the appearance of your space.

No Clogs, No Hassle

WaterGuard®™ is designed to rest on top of your foundation footing-- above the "mud zone", where drains can clog over time. Its unique design deters clogs, while a bed of crushed stone keeps sediments away from your drain. Should your system need service, several "ports" are installed along the system that can open up for access and inspection. The end result is a time-tested and reliable waterproofing system that should never clog.

Fast Installation Time

WaterGuard®™ requires less jackhammering, less digging, and less debris removal than generic and competing basement drain systems. We seal right over the top of your drain with concrete, with no open gap along the floor that would collect debris and potentially clog the system.

Our Specialized Drain Tile Systems

While WaterGuard® is a great option for most basements, there are some times when one of our specialized systems is your best fit. We offer the following five additional drainage systems:

DryTrak® - For monolithic basement floors, as well as extremely thick basement floors.

TrenchDrain - Installed with a grated opening at the top to collect water from hatchway entrances, doorways, and garage entryways.

WaterGuard® IOS - For homes that are experiencing problems with iron ochre.

FlowGuard - For basements with very thin floors, where WaterGuard® is not a good fit.

SmartPipe™ - For waterproofing dirt floors and crawl spaces.

No matter what's going on with your basement, we have a solution for you!

Why Hire A Professional Foundation Waterproofer?

Basement waterproofing is a major home improvement project, and a significant investment in improving the functionality and value of your home. It's something you want professionally done.

Basement waterproofers specialize in their trade -- drying wet basements, and keeping them dry, is what they do all day, every day. It's their trade and livelihood.

There are a lot of failed waterproofing jobs out there. In fact, a large part of the business that most waterproofers get is to fix the failed work of plumbers, contractors, and disreputable waterproofers.

If you want to waterproof your basement once (and keep it dry all the time), you're going to want a warrantied solution from a company with experienced experts and quality products. That company should have been in business for many, many years, so you can count on their still being in business, should you need them for warranty work or to service your system.

Experienced Waterproofers Installing warrantied Drain Tile Systems

If you have a wet basement, there is a Basement Systems dealer with trained, experienced waterproofers near you. We provide fast, hassle-free, professional waterproofing to homeowners all over Canada and the United States.

We'd like to offer you a free basement waterproofing estimates to help you decide if we're the contractors for you. Each of our free estimates includes an on-site inspection and personal consultation. We'll also provide a written cost estimate, and a complimentary copy of our full-color waterproofing book. Call or e-mail us today to set an appointment!

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.

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Quality, Innovation, Patents, Awards

Our innovative and forward-thinking approach to designing products has solved wet basement problems that the basement waterproofing and crawl space industry has faced for decades, and our patented sump pump systems are the smartest and most reliable. Plus we listen to our customers and respond accordingly! Basement Systems Inc. has been awarded 24 Patents and 19 Innovation Prizes on waterproofing products we use every day, including a battery back up sump pump system. This approach ensures the best waterproofing systems and solutions available.

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