Day 29 - Drain Tile

It's day 29 and John and I have been working FOREVER on John's crazy drain tile system. Basically, the "drain tile" (which is not tile) allows the ground water to move under and around the house to prevent leaks and flooding. We are only about halfway done with the outside system and then we have the inside to do. Since we are going to pour the basement floor before the framing is started, we need to finish this quickly. John's system goes far beyond what any other builder uses so we can bet we will never have a leak!

Here's the drain tile process:

Step 1 - Clear mud/soil to the bottom of the footing to make a base for pea gravel. 

Step 2 - Add 2" base of pea gravel to bottom of bleeders. 

Step 3 - Add fitting to bleeder that will connect to drain pipe. Drain pipe is covered by a drain sleeve (black) and then filter fabric is wrapped around the drainage pipe once the pipe is covered with 4" pea gravel. It is then wrapped like a burrito and covered with more pea gravel. 

Step 4 - Add waterproofing membrane or "dimple membrane" as an extra step to prevent water from entering your foundation. 

Next Step:  Finish the drain tile and brace the walls for backfilling.