DEAR TIM: My last house had a basement that leaked water. I’m building a new home and want my basement as dry as the Atacama Desert. I’m confident that my drain tile was not put in correctly ...

Add soil to slope the ground away from the foundation. The grade should slope a minimum of 1 in. per foot for the first 4 to 6 ft. If necessary, direct roof water away with gutters and downspouts.

Once the drain tile is extended to daylight beyond the foundation, you can transition to solid pipe. Slope this pipe 1/4 inch per foot to promote rapid water to flow away from the foundation.

My last house had a basement that leaked water. I’m building a new home and want my basement as dry as the Atacama Desert. I’m confident that my drain tile was not put in correctly at my last ...

Once the drain tile is extended to daylight beyond the foundation, you can transition to solid pipe. Slope this pipe 1/4 inch per foot to promote rapid water to flow away from the foundation.