What is Weeping Tile?
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Weeping tile is a type of piping that is utilized as part of drainage systems. Generally, weeping tile is meant for use with underground drainage. These porous pipes work with formations known as aggregates to allow collection of excess water from the surrounding ground, effectively eliminating an overabundance of groundwater in the area.
The design of weeping tile is very simple. The porous pipe itself is usually composed of hard plastic. Along the body of the pipe, small slits are cut lengthwise into the surface. It is these slits that allow water from the ground to seep into the pipe and be directed away from the area. The weeping tile normally terminates at some collection point, such as a storm sewer or possibly a sump pump.
In order to prevent soil from working into the slits in the weeping tile, the piping is surround by aggregate, simply another name for stones or rocks. A layer of rocks is placed around the weeping tile, effectively creating a barrier between the soil and the pipe. Water can easily flow between the rocks and reach the slits in the tile.
The use of weeping tile helps to increase the efficiency of many different types of drainage systems. The piping helps to direct the flow of water away from the area and into the draining system proper. At this juncture, the water can be transported away from the area, where it can be dumped into a city sewage system or used for irrigation purposes.
When used with sump pumps, weeping tile is normally installed just below the concrete flooring in a basement. Moisture seeps through the concrete and into the aggregate, eventually making its way to the weeping tile. From there, the water is directed into the sump pump. Using this approach helps to keep the moisture and humidity level in the basement from becoming uncomfortable. The tile can also help minimize the development of mildew in the enclosed space. Weeping tile is especially helpful if the weather conditions have saturated the ground with water, and can prevent the need for costly repairs to the basement.
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My house is approximately 35 years old and came equipped with a weeping tile system. Water collected through the weeping tile goes into my sewer system with a clean out/sewer back flow safety value attached to it about 2 feet inside my basement. This valve is accessible through a small opening in the concrete basement floor. What I am noticing is this area is always wet to the point you can see standing water just below the concrete when you access the valve. Is this normal? How does the weeping tile attached to this value? - anon41500
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I had the same problem but my constant bitching drove the inept wannabe handyman to walk off the job...I haven't seen him since. Anyway, now we have a trench leading away from what used to be my back door patio. We dug out the patio and its several inches below the threshold of the door. All leaking seems to have stopped anyway...lol. The trench crosses the driveway and ends at the road. His trench also runs uphill which totally baffles me. I've started digging the trench up by hand and pulling the pipe back out and digging deeper, gently sloping downwards towards the road so any water running into the pipe will be able to run downhill away from the house. This is how it should work in my mind anyway. I'd like to hear more about whether you ended up with problems down the road or if the problem is alleviated. - angiejoy
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I regret I did not come here first, but I had a "landscaper" help me install weeping tile in my backyard yesterday, and now have serious doubts about what he did. So I have some questions here...We dug a trench, laid down quarter inch stones, inserted the tubular weeping tiles enclosed by a "sock", then covered the top with more gravel. We did not cover the gravel itself with more "sock" material as I've read is necessary. I was worried about the slope of the pipe, as it went upwards towards the outlet. My installer told me that was not important. Made no sense to me, but left it as he was the expert. Now I'd like to check with other, perhaps more qualified, experts. There is also no way to flush out the system, other than digging it up totally, cutting the pipe, and then hosing it. Should there be a way or is it self-maintaining? Finally there is no slope down towards the area of the weeping tile away from my home and garage. In other words there's no significant downslope towards the weeping tile trench. Again I was assured this should create no problem, again it makes no sense to me. This guy was recommended to me by my local garden centre, a place with an excellent reputation. No excuse for my stupidity, but perhaps explains it to some of you out there who won't be able to believe I was so gullible. Can the weeping tile installation work? If not. can it be ameliorated, or does it have to be totally redone? - madrigal
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Written by
Malcolm Tatum
Last Modified: 15 August 2009
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