Drain Tile Services In Syracuse, NY

What Is a Drain Tile?

Drain tiles are an important part of your home’s plumbing system that protects it against flooding and water seepage. Drain tiles are installed either in your basement or around your home’s outer perimeter. In modern uses, drain tiles are not made from tile at all. They consist of a length of pipe with holes in it that have been buried in a gravel trench. This allows water to collect and be redirected either away from the foundation of your home or toward a sump pump.

There are two main types of drain tile piping, each with its own advantages. First, there is a stiff PVC pipe that has holes on one side of it. The holes are placed face down, and the rising water moves into the pipe from underneath. The second type of drain tile is a flexible pipe. This type has small slits instead of holes that allow the water into the pipe.

Drain tile systems have been used for more than 2,000 years. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians discovered that by using pieces of clay tile, they could remove excess water from their agricultural fields and produce better crops. In the 1830s, a New York farmer named John Johnston was using this same technique, which he shared with his neighbors. In the 1860s, a man named Henry French wrote a book about it.

French's book became very popular and is the reason for us knowing drain tiles as we do today. It is also the reason that drain tiles are referred to as French drains in some parts of the country.

Modern drain tiles use the same principle but work a little differently. Piping is installed underground, surrounding a house's foundation. The piping collects any water that might have drained into the home's basement or crawlspace and directs it to go elsewhere, where it will not cause harm to the house.

Drain Tile Service

Mr. Rooter Plumbing can dispatch a skilled plumber to your home or business for all your drain tile service needs. Drain tiles require regular inspections and periodic cleaning to ensure they will continue to function in the event of a flood or other emergency. If left untreated, a clogged drain tile system not only puts you at a greater risk of flooding, but it can potentially cause cracks in your foundation which significantly affect the value of your home.

Even small amounts of water seeping into your basement can cause mold to grow and damage your drywall. With a small investment in regular inspections and maintenance, however, you can be certain your home drainage system is working its best.

Is Drain Tile Necessary?

While drain tile is not always necessary, it is extremely helpful to many homes. However, many building codes require them. Even if you are not constructing a building that requires them, you should still consider installing one. They only need a quick installation during the early stages of construction. If your current home does not have a drain tile system, keep in mind that adding one can also fix water-related issues in your house.

Video Camera Inspections

Troubleshooting a malfunctioning drain tile can be an expensive, time-consuming process. Mr. Rooter Plumbing is one of only a small handful of plumbers in the Syracuse area to offer video camera drain tile inspections. Using this, we can quickly identify the source of any leaks without a lot of trial and error.

Drain Tile Installation

Building a new home, renovating a basement, or upgrading your drainage system? Mr. Rooter Plumbing is available to install drain tile trenching and other important components. Our technicians work quickly using sophisticated tools and deep knowledge of plumbing and drainage issues.

We can identify potential problems and design the system that will work best for your home and your budget. Even if you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer, drainage tile is something that should be left to a professional. Find out more about the process and about how Mr. Rooter Plumbing can help by contacting one of our seven locations today.