What Is Weeping Tile?

Description

• Weeping tile is a porous pipe that is laid in or around basement foundations, pool drains, downspout drains or other low areas to drain water into a sump pump or storm drain. Building codes normally require this tile around basements. Modern versions are made out of a flexible plastic pipe that can shift with any ground movement without damage. It can also have perforations or slits cut into it so the water can soak through. Filters can also go around these pipes to prevent clogging from fine soil or other debris. Tile in older homes can be made of clay; it is prone to cracking and leaking over time.

Interior Placement

• Interior installations on block foundations require digging a trench to below the basement floor that is 1 to 2 feet deep. The trench must be about 18 inches away from the exterior walls. To release any trapped water within the foundation, drill holes into the cavities at either end of the foundation. Place the weeping tile in the trench and hook it up to the sump box or floor drain. Cover the trench and pipe with gravel, and pour concrete over them to restore the floor.

Exterior Placement

• For exterior applications, outside trenches are also needed around the existing foundation walls, whether those walls exist or have yet to be poured. For the latter, the foundation walls must first be poured and hardened. The exterior trench must be 1 to 2 feet below the poured floor, though outside the house beside the footing. Cover the tile with at least one to two feet of gravel. Add drainage board or other waterproofing membrane to the outside of foundation walls to prevent moisture from leaking into the foundation. Add fill to the remainder of the excavation and grade it until level.

Other Installations

• You can attach weeping tile to the end of a downspout and direct it to an exterior inlet such as a storm drain or street curb. This carries rainwater from the roof to prevent it from seeping into basement walls. Running tile from the bottom of a basement window well to a drain prevents water from entering the window. When installing exterior weeping tile, be careful not to damage the pipe by dropping heavy rocks or clumps of soil on it. Avoid heavy loads on top of the backfill until it has settled properly over and around the tile. A minimum downhill grade of 2 inches per 100 feet is recommended from the house to the drain. Lower grades will reduce the effectiveness of the tile. Higher grades are better since they increase the flow of water.