Weeping Tile
The term “weeping tile” comes from the original clay tile first used in early construction used to manage underground drainage. It was orange/red octagonal tile that was placed around the footing usually with a small gap between the tiles that allowed water to collect to be directed to the storm drain. These systems worked well at the time, however they were subject to deterioration, blockage and shifting. Material and construction practices have progressed and we are now better able to collect and manage ground and storm water.
EXTERIOR
Weeping tile is a porous pipe, buried next to the foundation footing. It is perforated to allow water to seep into it and should be covered with fabric, known as a “sock”, to help prevent silt and soil from clogging the pipe. The weeping tile is then connected to the sump liner and covered with washed rock.
In new construction, the installation of weeping tile is completed prior to backfill however, in an existing home requiring new weeping tile, a trench around the perimeter must be excavated. At LETY Construction our team goes above and beyond to mitigate damage to lawn or landscaping.
INTERIOR WEEPING TILE
In cases where weeping tile is required and excavating the exterior perimeter is not feasible, an interior weeping tile system can be installed. In relation to the footing, our interior weeping tile system’s placement is the same as the exterior. A narrow trench is jack hammered around the inside perimeter of the basement and the soil is removed to expose the footing. The weeping tile is placed next to the footing and covered with washed rock. A membrane is then installed to protect the joint between the wall and the footing and help direct water into the weeping tile. The system is then connected to an existing sump liner and pump, or one that we install. The concrete is then re-poured and finished.