When it comes to basement waterproofing, one of the most important things to consider is the drainage system. Without an effective way to drain water away from the foundation, any basement is at risk of flooding. One of the best ways to ensure adequate drainage is to install a drain tile system. This type of system consists of a network of pipes that are buried beneath the basement slab. The pipes are connected to a sump pit, which collects water and pumps it out of the basement. These systems are highly effective at preventing basement flooding, and they can be customized to meet the specific needs of any home. If you’re concerned about basement waterproofing, installing a conduit system is a great way to protect your home.
There are a few different types of drain tile; corrugated flexible pipe, multi-flow systems, and rigid PVC drain tile.
CORRUGATED FLEXIBLE DRAIN TILE
The most common drain tile is 3 inch corrugated flexible pipe. If you have a basement, chances are you have some form of corrugated drain tile in place to help keep it dry. This perforated pipe is buried around the perimeter of your basement and collects water that seeps through the foundation walls and directs it to a sump pump, which then pumps the water out of your basement.
3 inch corrugated drain tile, with an opening of 7.06 square inches, has a flow rate of 35 gallons per minute. Which meets code in many places. You can check with your municipality to know for certain.
However, these corrugated flexible pipes are not without their problems. The corrugations cause friction as the water flows through, affecting flow rate. Plus, it’s flexible, which makes it difficult to install at a continuous downhill slope, once again, affecting flow rate.
Over time, they can become clogged with sediment and debris, which can cause water to back up and result in flooding. In addition, the tiles can become brittle and crack over time, allowing water to seep in, causing damage to your basement. The pipe can collapse leading to even more basement flooding issues. Finally, the corrugations hold water, so it does not drain completely which is ripe for other moisture related problems like mold and mildew.
MULTI-FLOW DRAIN TILE
Multi flow drain tile systems are a popular basement waterproofing solution, but they can also cause a number of problems. The most common issue is that the tiles can become clogged with debris, causing water to back up eventually flooding the basement. Another problem is that the tiles can shift over time, creating gaps that allow water to seep through. The constant flow of water can erode the surrounding soil, leading to foundation problems. While multi flow drain tile systems have their benefits, it’s important to be aware of the potential drawbacks before making a decision.
Multi Flow drainage conduit has a published flow rate of 29 gallons per minute. This is not up to code in many municipalities. Check with yours to be sure. Each of the 5 pipes has an opening of 1 inch giving the product a total opening of 3.927 square inches.
It’s important to note that the flow rate figure is arrived at with the pipe under 10 pounds per square inch of pressure, yet the multi flow pipe is not installed as a pressurized system. This product is also intended to be installed level, in order to have access to the clean outs. Flow rate is affected by the corrugations and lack of downhill slope. Unpressurized, we assume the flow rate, in reality, is significantly lower than the published rate.
RIGID PVC DRAIN TILE
Rigid PVC drain tile is another popular basement waterproofing product. It is easy to install and is very effective at keeping water out of your basement. When properly installed – on a continuous downward slope to the sump basket – it is the superior product. If you are looking for an effective basement waterproofing solution, rigid PVC drain tile is a great option.
3 inch Rigid PVC drainage conduit, with an opening of 7.06 square inches, has a flow rate of about 44 gallons per minute. It follows a smooth downward slope to the sump basin and drains completely. If you’re concerned about basement waterproofing, be sure to ask your contractor about installing rigid PVC drain tile. It’s an effective way to keep your basement dry and safe from leaks.
OUR SOLUTION
We install a below-slab rigid PVC drain tile system that includes our service marked Diamond Plate airtight cover. This patented design allows for unrestricted water flow and makes it easy to patch concrete back into place, ensuring your home remains strong during any storm or crisis with unmatched durability!
Our crew will jackhammer the concrete around the perimeter of your basement, dig a trench that slopes down to the sump basin and pour washed rock into the bottom of the trench to keep the drain tile off the dirt thereby preventing any dirt or mud infiltration. The crew then installs the rigid drain tile and covers it with more washed rock to act as a drainage and filter medium. When installed properly, like this, you never have to worry about it plugging up.
Our patented Diamond Drainage Board is installed to facilitate the free flow of water from the wall, over the footing and into the drainage field. A plastic moisture barrier is laid in to prevent moisture from wicking up through the concrete and to keep the concrete out of the drainage field. Now when water enters the block it is directed to the drainage field where it is carried through the drain tile into the sump basin where it is pumped out and away from the house.
We install an industrial grade sump pump for years of worry free service. We also install two of our service marked Seamless Discharge pipes guaranteed to never leak or break. The second discharge pipe is there to provide for additional pumping capacity in case you ever want to install a back up system.
Our system comes with a warranty good for the life of your foundation. Call us right now for your free, no obligation estimate.
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More about our Sump Pump System: https://standardwater.com/services/superior-sump-pump-systems/