What it is
Interior drain tile is a perforated pipe buried in stone along the inside of the footing, just below the basement floor. Groundwater flows into the pipe instead of up through the floor edge, and the pipe carries it to the sump basin.
Many north metro homes from the 1950s and 1960s, in places like Fridley, Columbia Heights and Coon Rapids, have no drain tile or have clay tile that has silted up. In those houses, new tile and a new sump are usually what finally stops water at the floor.
Signs you need it
- Water coming up along the edge of the floor
- A wet floor while the sump basin stays dry
- Seepage that returns even after cracks were sealed
- An older home with no sump basin at all
How the work is done
Cut the floor edge
A narrow strip of concrete is removed along the walls that take water.
Install the pipe
Perforated pipe goes in washed rock beside the footing, often with a wall membrane to guide seepage down.
Connect the sump
The pipe drains to a sump basin, and a pump sends the water outside.
Restore and test
The floor is patched with new concrete and the system is tested with water.
What it costs
Compare every service in the cost guide. These are rough ranges; the real price comes after an inspection.
Questions
Will drain tile lower my water table?
No. It relieves water pressure around your basement and removes the water that reaches it, which is what keeps the floor dry.
Can it go in a finished basement?
Yes, but the bottom of finished walls along the work area usually comes off. Ask exactly what's removed and replaced.
How long does it last?
A properly installed system with clean stone can last for decades. The pump is the part that needs replacing.
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Related services
- Basement waterproofing: Stop groundwater and seepage before they reach your floor, walls and belongings.
- Sump pump installation and backup: New pumps, second pumps and battery backups for homes where the pump never rests.
- Foundation crack repair: Seal cracks that leak and have structural cracks looked at before they spread.
- Basement dehumidifiers and moisture control: Whole-basement dehumidifiers that keep damp, musty air in check all summer.
Where we serve
We connect homeowners with contractors across Anoka County and north Ramsey County, including Blaine, Spring Lake Park, Coon Rapids, Lexington, Mounds View, Circle Pines, Fridley, Andover. See all service areas.