Water drainage systems

Abstract

Synthetic rocks are used as a substitute for natural gravel to fill in around perforated drain tiles in a water drainage system. The synthetic rocks may be of a size and shape that mimics the natural rock they replace, but they are preferably significantly lighter in weight. The synthetic rocks may alternatively be tubular or cubic shaped, for example, and may include one or more lumens or other passageways to facilitate the flow of water through and/or around the rocks.

1 . In a method of utilizing perforated drain tiles to help direct a flow of water, wherein said perforated drain tiles are at least partially surrounded by a layer of natural gravel that has been positioned immediately around said drain tiles to facilitate water flow into and through said drain tiles, the improvement comprising substituting synthetic rocks for said natural gravel.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said synthetic rocks are lightweight synthetic rocks that weigh less than 5 pounds per cubic foot of installed synthetic rock.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said synthetic rocks comprise a generally tubular member having an outer diameter of between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said synthetic tubular members have a length of between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said synthetic rocks have at least one lumen therethrough.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said synthetic rocks have at least one two lumens therethrough.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said synthetic rocks have at least one three lumens therethrough.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said synthetic rocks comprise a generally tubular member having an outer diameter of between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches, a length of between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches, and at least one lumen therethrough.  
   
   
       9 . A method of augmenting perforated drain tile for draining water, said method comprising providing a trench adapted to facilitate water flow, providing drain tile in said trench, and providing synthetic rocks around at least a portion of said drain tile to prevent flow-restricting material from filling said trench.  
   
   
       10 . A method of preventing water from seeping up through the floor of the lower level of a building, said method comprising: 
 a) providing a trench below the level of the floor of a building;    b) providing perforated or slotted drain tile in said trench to provide a pathway for draining water from the building;    c) filling in around at least a portion of said drain tile with a synthetic filler material sized and configured to facilitate the drainage of water into and through said drain tile; and    d) providing a solid flooring material over said synthetic filler material.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , and further including the step of providing a semi-rigid support material over said synthetic filler material before providing the solid flooring material.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said synthetic filler material is tube-shaped, and has a length of less than about 2 inches.