Stop Water Before It Reaches Your Foundation

Interior and exterior drain tile installation for long-term moisture control

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When groundwater saturates the soil around your home, it pushes through cracks, seams, and porous concrete, leaving you with damp walls and standing water in the basement. A drain tile system captures that water before it ever contacts your foundation, routing it to a sump pump or drainage outlet. Allied Water Services installs both interior and exterior drain tile systems, depending on where the water is entering and how your property is graded.

Interior systems involve cutting a trench along the basement perimeter, installing perforated pipe surrounded by clean gravel, and connecting the system to a sump basin. Exterior systems are excavated outside the foundation wall, wrapped in filter fabric, and backfilled to prevent clogging. Both methods provide long-term moisture control by intercepting water at the source and giving it a path to flow away from your living space.

If you are dealing with chronic basement water problems, reach out to discuss whether an interior or exterior drain tile system is the right solution.

How Our Process Works

We start by identifying where water is entering and mapping the path it takes through the soil. For interior installations, we use a concrete saw to cut along the floor edge, excavate the trench, and lay perforated drain pipe at the footing level. The pipe is bedded in washed stone to allow water to flow freely, then covered with additional gravel before the concrete is patched.

Once the system is installed, water that used to seep through the floor or walls now drains into the tile and flows to your sump pump, leaving the basement dry. Allied Water Services ensures the slope is consistent throughout the run so water does not pool or back up. Exterior systems require more excavation but allow us to apply waterproof membrane to the foundation wall and install the tile at the footing, which is the most effective location for catching groundwater.

We use four-inch perforated pipe with sock filters to prevent sediment buildup and connect the system to existing sump pumps when possible. Drain tile systems are compatible with most foundation types but work best when the footing is accessible and the water table is predictable. This service does not include foundation wall repair or crack sealing, though those can be coordinated separately.

Homeowners considering drain tile installation typically ask these questions before committing to the project.

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What to Expect When You Book

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● What to Expect When You Book ●

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What is the difference between interior and exterior drain tile?

Interior drain tile is installed inside the basement along the perimeter and directs water to a sump pump. Exterior drain tile is installed outside the foundation at the footing level and routes water away before it touches the wall, but requires excavation around the home.
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How long does drain tile installation take?
Interior systems in an average-sized basement usually take two to three days, including cutting, excavation, pipe installation, and concrete patching. Exterior systems take longer due to the excavation and backfill work required around the foundation.
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Will drain tile prevent all basement water issues?
Drain tile controls groundwater that rises through the footing or seeps through the floor, but it does not address water entering through foundation cracks or windows. Those issues are handled separately with crack injections or window well repairs.
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Why does the pipe need to be surrounded by gravel?
Gravel allows water to flow into the perforated pipe without bringing sediment or clay that can clog the holes. It also provides a stable base that prevents the pipe from shifting or developing low spots where water might collect.
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Can drain tile be added to an older home?
Yes, drain tile systems can be installed in older homes as long as the foundation is accessible and structurally sound. Interior systems work well in homes where exterior excavation is not practical due to landscaping or nearby structures.

Drain tile systems provide a permanent solution for homes that deal with recurring groundwater problems, especially in areas with high water tables or heavy seasonal rain. If your basement stays damp no matter how many times you mop or run a dehumidifier, contact us to evaluate your foundation and determine which type of drain tile system will keep your space dry.