Difference between a French drain and weeping tile?

Water, as essential as it is, can also be a source of many concerns. It is particularly true when it comes to the structures we construct and land management. Throughout history, people have devised various creative methods for getting water where we want it and moving it away from where we don't. The signs and symptoms of a drainage problem might be challenging to see. Puddles may only appear during rainstorms, or water issues may build over time. Many problems lie undiscovered for years, only to be discovered when a foundation crack emerges. It is critical to act soon if you have recognized that you have a severe drainage problem. You will be safeguarding not only your property but also your health. A French drain and weeping tile are the most frequent techniques to protect property against water damage. Aquatech Basement Waterproofing Toronto experts have installed many fair shares of french drains and weeping tile with many years of expertise. This type of drainage system is also known as a weeping tile, subsurface drain, and several other names that may be utilized in various settings. This blog will look at the difference between French drains and weeping pipes in more detail, including their function and why some homes might require them. 

French Drain

A French drain, as you may have figured, is a form of the drainage system. The majority of French drains are used to regulate surface and groundwater. Most French drain installation aims to transport water that may endanger a structure to a location no longer a threat. A French drain is something you may have seen before. It appears to be a gravel-filled trench. There is likely a perforated drainage line beneath the gravel, and you can see the end of the perforated pipe if you walk to the discharge end of the French drain. A French drain is formed of a perforated pipe installed in a trench and surrounded by gravel. The gravel or stone in a French drain has several functions, but the most essential is more porous than the soil on the surrounding land. The envelope, in technical terms, refers to the gravel or stone in the drain. The enhanced permeability of the envelope allows water to flow more freely, allowing moisture from the surrounding soil to be drawn into the trench, making it the route of least resistance.

Weeping Tile

A weeping tile is a porous drainage pipe that surrounds the foundation of a property. It is buried in a gravel-and-soil trench, and the channel is excavated on a slight incline. When the pipe accumulates groundwater, it will be routed away from the home into the yard, storm sewer, or subterranean sump pit. Weeping tile installation in Toronto can also be buried beneath a lawn to avoid pooling or used for basement window well drainage. The pipe is installed in a dug-out trench or channel around the home's foundation, with the holes facing downward. The perimeter drain gathers rain or snowmelt as it travels through the ground and transports it further into the yard. If it's an outside drain, it can flow to a french pit (a 5-foot hole filled with pebbles) or the central sewer system. A sump pit will be used for an internal drain.

The names "French drain" and "weeping tile" are frequently interchanged. While this is satisfactory, there are a few minor distinctions between the two. The primary purpose of a French drain installation, which is typically built below the surface, is to prevent over-saturation of soil. Weeping tiles are a French drain designed to protect a structure from hydraulic surface tension. The Toronto weeping tile installation usually goes considerably more profound in the ground since it is often deployed to safeguard a structure's foundation. The end of the pipe for a weeping tile system is commonly discharged into the pit for a sump pump in the home’s basement. Some French drains may discharge into a nearby storm sewer, while others may discharge somewhere on the land. Avoiding a discharge point that may cause water to spill into an adjacent property is nearly always critical in this respect. It is not a huge concern if you or someone else uses the words interchangeably. 

It is widely assumed that they both relate to the same drainage system, and people will understand what you are talking about in any case. Whether or not a basement can ever be completely watertight is a hypothetical question for the ages. Regardless, weeping tiles (perimeter drains or French drains) help collect and redirect rain and melt snow. When it comes to safeguarding your house against Mother Nature's wrath, compare home insurance rates to ensure you have coverage that is "water" tight. Water damage or flooding coverage may be included in the policy, along with endorsements such as overland water or sewage backup.

It is generally recommended that if you want to get the most out of your french drain or weeping tile, you should hire an expert to help you reinforce your basement walls. Aquatech Basement Waterproofing Toronto has the most incredible team of professionals who can help you install a custom-made french drain or weeping tile utilizing a tried-and-true method of professional basement waterproofing. We also know how to prevent future problems. Fortunately, Aquatech Toronto basement waterproofing professionals can help you with a range of innovative contemporary basement waterproofing systems tailored to your specific needs and leaking basements.