Clean Out Drain Tile

What happens when the original drain tile system installed in a home stops working.

Clean out drain tile.

When a septic system that s less than 20 years old fails to drain it s sometimes a sign of tree. In the first place you ll spend about 50 a day or more to rent the large drain cleaning auger required and you have to be strong enough to heft the machine and to wrench loose those old corroded cleanout plugs. There are two ways to drain groundwater away from a foundation from the exterior of the foundation via a drain buried around the foundation or from the interior via a drain installed along the interior perimeter of the floor. For more thorough cleaning every few feet pull back about halfway and then continue moving forward.

Check the drain tile outlet after rains. This is commonly seen in septic systems that are more than 20 years old. It is often possible to clean and renew a clogged septic leach field instead of replacing the drain field lines. Wait for a day of heavy rain then check the pipe terminus.

A drain tile system that doesn t empty into a sump pit usually juts out of the ground and lets gravity pull water out of the piping. You can usually clean the foundation drain tile using a sewer snake routing out the dirt that has gathered in the pipes to make the way clear again for proper water drainage. Foundation tiles clogged with dirt or debris will begin to drain the water slowly or not at all. But a deeper pit is more difficult to clean out and maintain.

Find your drain tile system outlet if your home doesn t have a sump pit. If water isn t flowing out there s a clog. Use your stick to examine the edge of the outlet then wait for the water to stop flowing before checking the pipes using a flashlight. Use care to release the trigger to stop the flow of water before the nozzle reaches the drain opening.

Such systems are installed at the base of foundation walls or under the footer of a home to help remove water from around. That s what these homeowners experienced as their basement was still damp. Drain tile systems consist of pipes with weep holes. Exterior basement drains are buried in the dirt under the foundation and are surrounded by stone for drainage.

The job of clearing clogs in the larger drain lines found under the floor isn t for everyone. Then replace any drain cover. Common basement drain systems. Step 2 check the drain tile outlet.

When the water in the collection pit reaches a certain level usually a few inches the sump pump kicks on.