WEEPING
TILE, SUMPS
& WINDOW WELLS
Weeping
Tile
Weeping tile is basically a facility that allows water to flow freely
without any obstructions. Many products have been designed over the years
to fulfill this requirement.
Perforated plastic pipe is the most widely used weeping tile today. Different
municipalities have certain requirements as to how weeping tile should
be installed.
Alberta requires that weeping tile be installed next to the footing around the entire exterior perimeter of the house. The purpose of this weeping tile is to collect excess water drainage down the exterior foundation wall. This helps to reduce water pressure building up against the wall and diverts the water before it can be absorbed by theclay causing it to swell.
Weeping tile must have the ability to drain, as it is basically a collector of water.
Sumps
and Pumps
Sump pits are containers with approximately 20 gallon capacities that
are placed in a convenient location in the basement with
the top of the pit at floor level. In newer homes the pit is installed
when the home is built. The weeping tile drains into the pit and the water
is pumped outside by a submersible pump near the bottom of the pit. One
function of the sump pit is to discharge the weeping tile water outside
instead of into the overloaded sewer system during heavy rains. Another
is to drain away excessive water trapped under the floor slab.
Window Wells
Window wells are installed where basement windows are below grade level.
The purpose of the window well is to prevent the surrounding clay and
topsoil from filling the pit in front of the window. The window well does
not stop any water from entering the pit. The pit at the window is drained
by several methods to the weeping tile at the bottom of the foundation.
Good drainage is essential otherwise the pit will fill with water and
leak into your basement.