Interior Drain Tile System

At Anchored Walls, we install interior drain tile systems designed to manage groundwater before it ever reaches your basement floor. This system relieves hydrostatic pressure, collects water at the footing level, and directs it safely to a sump pump for removal, providing year-round protection for finished and unfinished basements alike.

How Interior Drain Tile Works

Interior drain tile is a powerful, hidden solution for managing basement water intrusion. Installed just below the slab, it quietly directs groundwater away from your foundation to prevent damage.

Installation Steps:

1. 1. Site Preparation
   Protect finished areas, control dust, and mark the interior perimeter for trenching.

2. Trench Excavation
Cut a trench along the interior wall, exposing the footing where water pressure builds.

3. Weep Hole Drilling
Drill weep holes every 6 inches to release trapped wall moisture into the trench.

4. Drainboard Installation
Install patented Drainboard to channel wall seepage. Optional membrane can be added for extra protection.

5. Clean Stone Fill
Fill the trench with clean, washed pearock to promote flow and prevent clogging.

6. Plastic Wrap Barrier
Cover the trench with a plastic barrier to contain dust and prep for concrete.

7. Sump Pump Integration
Route collected water to a sump pit, where it’s pumped safely away from the foundation.

8. Concrete Restoration
Re-pour concrete flush to the existing slab, leaving a clean, finished surface.

When Interior Drain Tile Is the Right Solution

Interior drain tile is often the most practical and effective waterproofing method when exterior excavation isn’t feasible. Homes with high groundwater pressure, persistent seepage along the cove joint, or moisture rising from beneath the slab can all benefit from this system. It’s particularly useful in basements that are already finished or are being prepared for finishing, where protecting flooring, drywall, and personal belongings becomes a top priority.

This solution also works well for properties with limited exterior access, such as narrow lot lines or homes with extensive landscaping or patios that would make outdoor excavation costly and disruptive. In most cases, sealants or exterior coatings only offer temporary solutions. Interior drain tile provides a more permanent fix. By collecting water at the footing level and routing it to a sump pump, the system stops moisture before it can rise to the surface or damage your basement.

Signs You May Need Interior Drain Tile

Water problems in the basement don’t always start with standing water. Often, the signs are subtle at first—until the damage begins to spread. If you're noticing any of the following issues, it could be a sign that water is entering below the surface and that a drain tile system may be necessary.

• Water stains or dampness at the base of walls
  Discoloration or moisture along the lower portion of basement walls often indicates that water is entering at the cove joint or migrating through the foundation.
  
• Cracks in the floor slab with visible seepage
  When water starts pushing up through floor cracks, it’s a sign of hydrostatic pressure, an issue that won’t go away with surface sealing or quick fixes.
  
• Musty odors or elevated humidity
  Persistent dampness leads to stale, musty smells and a heavy feel in the air—conditions that can encourage mold growth and affect indoor air quality.
  
• Warped, stained, or damaged flooring
  In finished basements, repeated exposure to moisture can buckle laminate, rot wood, and stain carpet, often before the source of the leak is even identified.
  
• Routine cleanup after heavy rains
  If you find yourself using towels, fans, or a wet/dry vac every time it storms, your basement needs a long-term solution, not another temporary fix.

Any of these signs could point to a problem with groundwater pressure around your foundation, and drain tile may be the best way to keep that moisture under control.

Why Homeowners Trust Anchored Walls

For more than 40 years, Anchored Walls has helped families in Iowa & Northern Missouri protect their homes with proven foundation and waterproofing systems. We’re not a franchise—we’re a locally founded and operated company that believes in permanent solutions, done right the first time.

Every drain tile system we install is based on real field experience and built to handle the unique challenges of Midwest soil and weather. Our work is clean, careful, and built to last—because that’s what we’d expect in our own homes.

Request an Interior Drain Tile Inspection

Don’t wait for another wet basement to show you there’s a problem. Anchored Walls is the local contractor near you trusted for long-term waterproofing solutions. Want to know the cost of interior drain tile for your home? Schedule an inspection today and let our experts design a drainage plan that works—before the next storm hits.