Old Science: Waterproofing a Basement on Hope and a Prayer . . .

Drain tile originally was a agricultural product, commonly called "field" tile because it was designed to cause young plants, when it's more likely wet in the springtime, to put down deeper roots. The "field" drain tile was trenched in the farmer's fields about 18 to 24 inches below the ground surface to draw the spring rains deeper in to the earth. The plants would send their roots out after the moisture in the ground once the rains had stopped and the sun began drying out the dirt at the surface. With deeper root then the plants will grow bigger and produce more of a harvest. Additionally they survive better in the hotter months of July, August, and September.

Now we see a type of drain tile without the inlet slits, solid black flex tubing, as downspout extensions to move water away from the house. GOOD IDEA!

The problem with this product in the housing industry, specifically in basement waterproofing, is that it will clog over time. It will clog due to the hydrostatic pressure of water in the backfill and/or under the basement floor that could displace soils drawing it into the tile.

Recently to alleviate or slow this clogging a "Drain Sleeve" was manufactured as a filter that slips around the tile. This does work when installed in shallow landscaping, under rock or mulch, or in a crawl spaces to help move water at or near the surface to another point where the water will not cause a problem. It works okay in this application because of the lack of hydrostatic pressure.