What Are Exterior Drainage Pipes?

There are so many ways water can damage your property. When there are heavy rains, the rainwater can flood your yard and pool near your home’s perimeter, causing various problems along the way. The best way to keep the rainwater out of your property is to install drainpipes. According to the Concrete Foundation Association, about 85% of all structural damage is caused by poor drainage. With proper drainage, you can protect not only your landscape but your foundation as well. Regardless of whether you have a concrete slab foundation, crawl space, or a basement, water can significantly damage your foundation and compromise the structural stability of your home. Therefore, investing in proper waterproofing measures is always money well spent. 

Here, we will talk about exterior drainpipes, their features, and the pros and cons. 

What Is a Drainpipe? 

A drainpipe is a gutter for groundwater. It is installed around your home’s perimeter and its purpose is to reduce the risk of flooding, mold, and pest infestation as well as structural damage by directing water away from your property. 

How Do Exterior Drainpipes Work? 

As mentioned, excess water from downpours or floods can cause foundation damage and other serious issues. With exterior drainpipes, you can be at ease since they will channel water away from your home before it causes problems. These perforated pipes are usually buried in a trench at the bottom of the foundation footing. Water enters the pipes through these perforations and gets drained away from your property. 

Many homeowners decide to combine exterior drains with an interior drainage system and a sump pump. With a combined waterproofing solution like this one, you can keep your foundation safe from water damage. 

How to Install an Exterior Drainpipe 

If you wish to install an exterior drainpipe on your property, don’t do it on your own. Since water damage can not only impact the health of your home but your family as well, leave it to a professional to do this job, so mistakes are not made. Some contractors can complete the installation in several steps. First, they will select the location where the drainpipe will go and then dig a 12-inch-wide trench that slopes away from the perimeter of your home. After lining the trench with filter fabric, they will pour gravel bedding into it. Afterward, they will hook up the pipe connections and place the drainpipe into the trench. To keep the pipes safe from damage, they will cover them with gravel and filter and then backfill the trench with soil. To properly do its job, the drainpipe needs to be placed deeper than the floor of your basement. 

Features of a Good Drainpipe 

Repairing your home from water damage can be pricey, especially when your foundation is in question. To save your hard-earned money and sleep peacefully at night, invest in a good drainage system. Professional contractors will consider these three factors when installing your drainpipes: 

Durability: Exterior drainage systems are not protected from the elements and therefore need to be made from high-quality materials that can withstand harsh conditions. 

Sizing: If drainpipes are not wide enough, they won’t be able to handle downpours, and excess water will begin to pool around your home. This is why experienced contractors always carefully consider the size of the pipes before installation. 

Proper installation: To work flawlessly an exterior drainage system needs to be correctly installed. 

Pros of Exterior Drainage 

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider installing an exterior drainage system. 

• Prevents water accumulation: During downpours or floods, excess water can pool around your home and its foundation, leading to a wide range of problems, from mold growth to foundation cracks. With exterior drainage, this water will be directed away from your home and basement, leaving it dry and safe. 
• Reduces soil erosion: When water pools around a structure, it makes the soil muddy and causes soil erosion. Exterior drains control the level of moisture in the soil and prevent erosion. 
• Removes toxic materials: Flash floods can follow heavy downpours, and they can bring a lot of contaminated water with them. Drainpipes can drain the excess water and toxic substances it away from your home. 

Cons of Exterior Drainage 

However, exterior drainage systems also have their downsides. 

• Labor intensive: If you have already remodeled everything and you are finally enjoying your beautiful yard, installing exterior drainpipes can be a pain. It involves a lot of digging, so you might need to replace landscaping, sidewalks, your deck, or a porch when the job is complete. 
• High maintenance: After the installation, you cannot just sit back and relax, knowing your home is protected from water damage. This system requires regular maintenance, otherwise, it may malfunction. You must make sure that the outlets are not blocked by sediment buildup at all times, or the water will back up. In addition, you need to check the inlet covers and make sure that debris hasn’t sealed them. In case your pipes break for some reason, there is no room for postponing the repairs. In fact, you need to replace them immediately. 

Installing exterior drainage while the construction of your new home is still in progress is one thing, but doing this when your home is complete is an entirely different problem. This is not a job that can be done overnight. It is a labor-intensive project that can cost a pretty penny. That is why installing an interior drainage system is a much better solution. 

BasementGutter™ is an interior perimeter drainage channel that requires only minimal excavation. It can be quickly installed and is a more affordable solution than an exterior drainage system. Our interior drainage system is designed to capture water seepage through walls and leaks along the wall/floor joint and keep the basement dry and clean. It is hardly noticeable once installed, so it is ideal for finished basements. 

Unlike exterior drainage systems, interior ones will not clog and don’t require so much maintenance. They are made of rugged plastic and never corrode. The excess water that gets collected by BasementGutter™ will be directed toward the sump pit, from where it will leave your home for good. 

If you wish to install an interior drainage system and protect your home from potential water damage, contact professionals at Tar Heel Basement Systems and schedule a free inspection and quote. 

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.