Compared to external excavation and waterproofing, an interior weeping tile system is a relatively inexpensive and highly effective basement waterproofing method. This type of basement waterpoofing system is also referred to as a perimeter drainage system, an interior perimeter basement waterproofing system, and an internal weeping tile system. The interior weeping tile basement waterproofing method is used mainly in concrete block / cinder block foundation waterproofing applications. It is also used for waterproofing poured concrete foundations but we do not recommend using the system for poured concrete foundations. This perimeter drainage system keeps a basement dry by providing drainage for water that flows through and pools within concrete block / cinder block foundation walls, a rising water table under the basement floor slab, as well as for any water that leaks through foundation cracks. The interior weeping tile system is a basement waterproofing system that will keep your basement perfectly dry, effectively replicating the weeping tile system that is installed along the footing on the exterior of the foundation.

This method of basement waterproofing involves the installation of a perimeter drainage system on the inside of the basement, beneath the basement floor, therefore, no digging outside the home is required. An interior weeping tile system allows water, which has pooled in a concrete block / cinder block foundation, to drain, thus preventing water from leaking from the concrete blocks onto, or beneath, the basement floor. By draining the cinderblocks, the interior weeping tile system helps to extend the useful life of the concrete block foundation which deteriorates over time due to the saturation of the blocks by pooled water within them. Properly installed, an interior weeping tile system will keep your basement dry for the life of your home.

Installation of an Interior Weeping Tile System

Installation of this perimeter drainage system requires access to bare basement walls inside the home.

1. The basement floor slab, next to the foundation walls is jackhammered open in order to expose the footing and create a trench for the subsequent installation of drain pipe;

2. The fully exposed bottom course of concrete blocks have weeping holes drilled into the hollow cavities within the blocks;

3. A perforated drain pipe is installed next to the footing;

4. An air gap membrane is installed along the wall;

5. In the absence of a suitable sump pump liner, a sump liner and submersible sump pump are installed beneath the floor, with the liner cover installed flush with the floor;

6. The drain pipe is routed to the sump liner, beneath the basement floor so that the water collected from the draining concrete / cinder blocks can be mechanically evacuated to the exterior by the sump pump. Note: it is illegal in most municipalities in the GTA to dispose of this water by connecting to the floor drain; and

7. The drain pipe and lower portion of the membrane are positioned and new concrete is poured over top and levelled. On completion, all that is visible is a scar in the floor along the wall, a membrane fastened to the wall, and a sump pump discharge pipe to the exterior.

How water enters and pools within a concrete block foundation:

The steps involved to install an interior weeping tile system:

Below is a typical sump pump installation that is part of the interior weeping tile system.

Note: Instead of having an unsightly discharge pipe emerging from the centre of the sump liner, it is possible to conceal the discharge pipe within the framed basement walls by modifying the configuration of the discharge so that it is "discrete" (beneath the concrete floor and travelling up the wall behind the drywall).

For a healthy and dry basement, and a truly professional perimeter drainage system installation, Contact us.