Should the Pipes Be Pitched for Basement Waterproofing?

Yes. Here’s Why.

If you’ve ever taken a music class, you probably learned about pitch. The note should ring out clear without sounding too sharp or too flat. Whether you’re singing or playing an instrument, the pitch can make or break any musical performance.

Pitch takes on a different meaning in the basement waterproofing industry, though it’s just as important. When we’re completing a sump pump installation in Cranford, NJ, or another waterproofing service in NJ, we focus on the pitch. Just like a singer aims to hit the perfect pitch, we do the same with our waterproofing systems.

Much of interior waterproofing involves working with gravity. You might not be able to prevent water from entering your foundation. But with the right waterproofing system in place, you can redirect that water away from your living space and cherished items.

We Pitch the Pipes and Trenches for Efficient Drainage and Flow

When we install French drain systems, we pitch the trench and 4-inch PVC piping toward the sump basin. This ensures that the water will reach the sump pump and will be properly discharged away from your home. Moving water in the pipes also helps to keep them clean and prevent debris buildup. Though it requires more work to pitch the pipes rather than lay them level, we want you to have an effective system that will serve you well through the years.

You might be wondering what the pitch should be. We pitch the pipe approximately 1/8 inch for every foot of piping. This ensures that the water will flow into the sump basin without making the slope too extreme.

So far, we’ve covered the pitch and why it’s important. But how does water enter the trench in the first place? That’s where weep holes come in.

We drill holes along the lowest course of cinder block to remove water that’s trapped in the walls. This helps to relieve hydrostatic pressure on your home’s walls and foundation. The sloped trench directs the water toward the sump basin so that your reliable sump pump can push the water up and away. Weep holes and pitched trenches are both crucial components to interior waterproofing systems. That’s why we’ve developed an established process to complete every job with quality and care.

To see these weep holes in action, check out our recent video on the job.

Pitch Is Important Outside, Too

Pitch plays a crucial role outside of your home as well. The 1 ½-inch PVC discharge line connects to the sump pump and carries the water from your basement to the outdoors. Since your sump pump is essentially working against gravity to push the water up and away, it’s important to make sure the discharge line is properly pitched. Otherwise, the water inside the pipes can freeze and return to the sump basin. Also, if the discharge line freezes, your sump pump can burn out and result in a flooded basement. You also want to make sure that your property is the proper grade and that water is flowing away from your home rather than toward it.

At Blue Umbrella, we follow all local codes and regulations to ensure that your sump pump and discharge line are both installed correctly. If you don’t have a proper drainage solution in place, we also install exterior landscape drains to direct the water away from your home. You don’t want to drain the water right near your foundation and have it enter the basement again. We’re here to help you kick that water to the curb—literally!

Hit the Perfect Pitch With Blue Umbrella

You don’t need to be a mathematician to properly pitch a waterproofing system. What you do need is years of industry experience and expertise. That’s exactly what we bring to every job as your waterproofing specialists in Rutherford, NJ, and across New Jersey.

To schedule a free estimate, call Blue Umbrella Waterproofing at 908.432.8858 or contact us online today.