Weeping tile, heavy rain and your home

It’s that time of the year again – fall. It means cooler weather, crunchy leaves and kids going back to school.

It can, however, also be a homeowner’s nightmare. Unpredictable weather from September to November can bring heavy rain.  Consequently, many people experience moisture or water seepage issues in their basement during this time. The cause? It’s often the result of old foundation weeping tile – an indicator that your home may be in need of exterior waterproofing.

How does weeping tile work?

When homes are built, It is usually laid around the perimeter of the foundation, beside the footings. See below:  

The purpose of these tile is to create a channel for groundwater to travel to proper drainage. Small slits in the hard plastic allow for water to take the path of least resistance and enter the pipes. This prevents water from saturating and pooling around the footings and then resulting in leakage and a wet basement.

The issues with old weeping tile

Over time, it can break or become blocked with soil. Sometimes, older weeping tile is made from clay, which with age, can crumble and deteriorate. These scenarios all lead to water flowing over and interfering with your home and causing a wet, leaky basement.

The solution

If you experience any of the above, there is a high possibility that the weeping tile needs to be replaced, as well surrounding the new tile with gravel to create a soil-free zone, and then surrounding both tile and gravel with fabric – a geo-textile filter cloth – to prevent clogging. This provides two layers of extra protection to ensure that dirt stays out and water reaches the weeping tile. The walls are also sealed with the highest quality rubberized urethane, poly sheeting and dimple board to guarantee a waterproofed foundation.

My basement is leaking – what do I do?

We can help. We are a company that is 100% Canadian-owned and the foremost foundation repair specialists in Ontario. Our team of experts can help diagnose the issue and provide you with a range of basement waterproofing solutions. Request a free estimate online, or call us at 1-800-277-5411. We are here to help.