What Is The Purpose Of Weeping Tile?

You have been hearing a lot of talk about weeping tiles? Wondering if you truly need them? Here is a short guide to this mechanism, consisting of brief explanations for everything you need to know about weeping tile. However, it is always recommended that you schedule an appointment with the plumber since drainage issues are better solved in practice than in theory:

The Definition

Contrary to the name, a weeping tile isn’t a tile at all, but a system of carefully connected pipes. They are placed in the soil/ground and collect water with the help of gravity. The weeping tile has tiny holes on its surface which gather the water as soon as it reaches them. Then, with the force of gravity, the water moves through the determined path and away from your home and foundation. This is accomplished by cleverly placing the pipes throughout the basement or backyard in such as a way that water will be gently led to the exit.

The Purpose

The main purpose of a weeping tile is to keep your home safe from excess water. It is usually found in interior basement waterproofing systems, connected with a sump pump. The weeping tile gathers excess water and transfers it to the sump pump from where it is pumped out to an appropriate disposal area. But how does the water accumulate in the ground?

Under each home, there are water tables. In some areas with rainier climates, the water tables rise higher and touch the surface – your basements. Before water enters the interior, a weeping tile gathers every drop and carries it as further from your foundation as possible. With the help of a weeping tile, every home can stay nice and dry, protected from unwanted floods, mold growth and foundation cracks.

The Usage

The force of water shouldn’t be underestimated! When it reaches a weak point such as old and loose concrete, it will surely use it as an advantage and break into your interior. That is mostly how floods occur. But besides being a part of a basement waterproofing method, a weeping tile can also be used for different preventive measures. The basement isn’t the only place where water accumulates, actually, the most vulnerable places are backyards and window wells.

Some homes, especially those in rainy climates, have weaker soil – more prone to accumulating water. The backyards of these homes are slippery, swimming in water and filled with dead flowers. This is why weeping tiles are also used for backyard draining. By gathering excess water, this mechanism maintains a balance in your garden, ensuring beautiful flowers and a dry basement at the same time. If you have tons of rain throughout the year, your window well must have been flooded at least twice. The third usage of weeping tiles is in window wells, where they ensure maximum efficiency and functionality, protecting your home from unwanted water sprees.