A Davenport homeowner was getting water in the basement. Rather than sell a full basement waterproofing system, Behncke Construction located and patched the damaged section of drain tile that was causing the problem.

Project photos

Project overview

This homeowner in Davenport, Iowa was experiencing some basement water. The house already had a drain tile system, and the problem traced back to a damaged area in that system rather than to the whole basement.

Project details

The crew opened the floor along the wall at the damaged area, repaired the section of drain tile that had failed, and patched the floor back in. The rest of the system stayed in service.

The owner’s own summary of the job is the most honest one: instead of selling a trusting customer a basement waterproofing system they did not need, the crew focused on the actual problem, which saved the homeowner thousands.

What homeowners should know

Drain tile is the perforated pipe that runs along the footing and carries groundwater to a sump. Like any buried pipe, it can fail in one place while the rest of the run is fine: a crushed or separated section, a joint packed with silt, or a spot where the pipe was damaged during other work. When that happens, water backs up at that location and shows up on the floor nearby, which can look a lot like a system-wide failure.

In many cases the right first step is to find out whether the existing system is actually broken and where. A camera inspection or a careful look at where the water appears can often narrow the problem to a section. Repairing that section is typically far less disruptive and less expensive than removing a functioning system to install a new one.

If you are being quoted a full basement waterproofing system for a house that already has drain tile, it is reasonable to ask what is wrong with the current system and whether it can be repaired. Afterward, keep an eye on the repaired area during wet weather and make sure the sump pump is running normally.

Photo highlights

• The floor patched back in after the damaged section of drain tile was repaired.
• The floor cut open to reach the damaged section of drain tile.
• The trench at the corner where the drain tile was patched.
• The corner of the basement where water had been showing up.

Related services

• Interior Drain Tile
• Drain Tile Camera Inspection
• Basement Waterproofing
• Foundation and Basement Work in Davenport
• More recent project updates