Drain Tile: Always Best for Northwest Indiana Basement Waterproofing?
As a basement waterproofing expert in northwest Indiana, drain tile is one of my favorite things. It solves a number of basement water problems, like cove seepage, hydrostatic pressure and oversaturated soil. Best of all, it’s a permanent solution that requires little to no maintenance when installed properly.
However, not all basement water problems can be solved by installing drain tile and some problems that are helped by drain tile could also be fixed by a less costly and disruptive method. In short, drain tile is great when it’s the right thing but it’s not a one-size-fits-all remedy.
Some Northwest Indiana Basement Waterproofing Companies Rely too Heavily on Drain Tile
In the years I have been helping northwest Indiana homeowners with seepage problems, I have noticed that many smaller basement waterproofing companies in the area recommend drain tile as the answer to everything. “Got water in your basement? Drain tile will fix that!”
Maybe it will, but I wonder if some of these companies aren’t doing their customers a disservice by not exploring the source of the problem more thoroughly and preparing themselves to offer the best, most cost-effective solution.
For example, a homeowner in Valparaiso complains that he finds water in two places on his basement floor after every heavy rain. Basement waterproofing company A tells him he needs interior drain tile installed at a cost of $10,000. Being a cautious (and smart) guy, the homeowner gets a second opinion before committing to that expense.
Company B’s advisor takes a look at the basement and points out to the homeowner that the water shows up right below the basement windows and that the cause is more than likely a couple of clogged window well drains. He recommends that they be replaced for a fraction of the cost of installing interior drain tile (and far less inconvenience.)
Would the recommended interior drain tile have solved this problem? Maybe, but so would tearing down the whole house and building a new one. Sounds like both would be overkill and neither would be the right solution for this homeowner.
Please don’t assume any dishonesty or lapse of ethics on the part of Company A in this little story. A lot of times, smaller basement waterproofing contractors do one thing really well, usually drain tile or crack injection. Because that’s what they know and it works most of the time, that’s what they recommend.
On the other hand, a full-service basement waterproofing company will offer a broad range of solutions to basement water problems and be able to recommend the one that fixes the problem with the least disruption and at a reasonable price. It will have the resources to stay abreast of new technology and the experience to identify a problem quickly and accurately.
At U.S. Waterproofing, we’ve been fixing wet basements in northwest Indiana for more than 30 years and we know the best solution for the typical problems that confront homeowners there. So, whether you have a couple of wet spots on the floor in Valpo or a bowing concrete block foundation in Griffith, why not ask for our free advice?
