Diagnosing Drain Tile Damage

• Because the drain tile is your home's primary defense against ground moisture, damage or malfunction will be manifested by water or moisture seepage, cracks, mold or mildew in your basement.
  
  

Causes

• Tree roots, sand, clay, mud or debris can obstruct you drain tile. Older tiles often experience joint separation or even the breakdown of sections that prevent proper function.
  
  

Remedy

• Once you locate the damaged drain tile, dig it up and replace it with a section of PVC or plastic. Make sure you measure the existing tile's diameter for an exact match. If you have more than two damaged sections, you should possibly consider excavating and replacing the entire system with more modern materials.