Interior Drain Tile & Sump Pumps in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Elite Foundation books free inspections for drain tile and sump pump work in Grand Rapids and nearby cities. A licensed local contractor checks what you have now, where the water comes in and what system fits the basement.

How interior drain tile works

Drain tile is a perforated pipe. The name comes from the clay tiles that were used before plastic pipe. In an interior system it sits under the basement floor, along the footing, in a bed of gravel.

1. Cut and dig. The floor is cut about a foot from the wall and the concrete is removed down to the footing.
2. Pipe and stone. Perforated pipe goes in a bed of washed stone and slopes toward the sump pit.
3. Wall membrane. A dimpled plastic sheet against the wall catches water seeping through the block and sends it down into the drain. In block walls, small holes are often drilled in the bottom row so water inside the hollow cores can drain out.
4. Sump pit. A lined pit collects the water.
5. New concrete. The trench is filled and the floor is patched.

Water from the walls and from under the slab now has a path to the pit instead of up through the floor joint.

The sump pump

The pump is what actually gets the water out of the house, so it deserves attention.

• Primary pump. A submersible pump sized for how much water the pit collects. Cast iron pumps tend to handle heat and long run times better than plastic ones.
• Battery backup. Big storms are when the power goes out and when the pump is needed most. A battery backup pump with an alarm covers that.
• Check valve. Stops water in the discharge pipe from running back into the pit.
• Lid. A sealed lid keeps out debris, moisture and radon from the pit.

Winter and the discharge line

In Michigan, the pipe that carries water out of the house can freeze. When it does, the pump runs against a blocked line and the pit overflows. Ways to deal with it:

• run the discharge far enough from the house, with a steady slope so it drains between cycles;
• add a freeze-protection fitting near the house that lets water escape if the line below is blocked;
• avoid long flat runs where water sits and freezes.

Signs your system needs work

• the pump runs constantly, or never seems to run;
• water at the floor joint even though you have a pump;
• an old pit with no lid and no backup;
• the pump is loud, or cycles on and off every few seconds;
• iron ochre (orange sludge) clogging the pipe.

What it costs

The price is driven by the length of wall that gets drain tile, whether a new pit is needed, and the pump and backup chosen. Interior drain tile falls under what HomeGuide counts as repairing a foundation leak, $250 – $15,000 nationally (source). For a pump-only job, ask for the model of pump and backup in the written quote. More in is interior drain tile worth it.

Questions

What is the difference between drain tile and a French drain?

Both are a perforated pipe in gravel that collects water. "French drain" usually means one in the yard. "Drain tile" usually means one along the footing, inside or outside the foundation. See drain tile vs French drain.

Does every basement need a sump pump?

No. Basements that stay dry with good gutters and grading may never need one. If you have drain tile, it needs somewhere to send the water, which is usually a sump pit.

How long does a sump pump last?

It depends on the pump and how often it runs. Test it every few months by pouring water into the pit, and replace it at the first sign of trouble rather than after it fails.

Do I need a plumber to install a backup pump?

Waterproofing contractors install primary and backup pumps as part of their systems. If you are only adding a backup to an existing pit, a plumber or a waterproofing contractor can do it.