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French Drain Inspection, Cleaning and Replacement
Fondation Drain Expertise in Québec City and Lévis
A problem with your foundation drain (also known as a french drain or perimeter drain) can quickly become a significant source of stress and cost, whether it’s water infiltration, sewer backup, concrete cracks, or musty basement odors. During heavy rainfall, these issues worsen, especially if drainage systems haven’t been inspected or maintained for a long time.
Can-Explore now combines its proven field expertise with 36 years of know-how from Laboratoire de Canalisations Souterraines (LCS) and its entity Drains Secours. This synergy allows us to offer homeowners in Quebec City, Lévis and its surrounding areas a reliable, turnkey service for foundation drain inspection, cleaning, and repair, ensuring the long-term protection of their home’s foundation.
Our Specialized Services for Drains and Foundations
Drain Assessment
When an issue with a French drain is suspected, the first step is to verify whether there are access chimneys (access points) connected to the foundation drain. If access points are present, a camera inspection can be carried out directly without excavation.
If not, an expert excavation must be performed to reach the drain. To avoid repeating this process in the future, we also handle the installation of access chimneys, a highly recommended step to facilitate future inspections and interventions without the need for new excavation.
Sewer backup prevention
A drain inspection also includes assessing the risk of sewer backup (self-backup), which occurs when the municipal sewer system flows back into the residence. Our specialists examine the condition and connection of the French drain to the storm or sanitary sewer in order to identify any anomaly or signs of damage.
Depending on the situation, we recommend the appropriate corrective measures, ranging from targeted repairs to complete pipe replacement, from the building all the way to the municipal connection point. If the issue goes beyond our scope of work, we guide you toward specialized resources for full support.
Drain Camera Inspection
When access to the foundation drain is possible, a camera inspection is the first step in assessing the condition of the system. Our specialized cameras allow us to navigate through the pipes and document the internal state of the drain along its entire length.
This detailed inspection provides the data needed to establish an accurate diagnosis and recommend the appropriate interventions, whether it involves a simple cleaning, a localized repair, or a complete replacement of the drainage system.
French Drain Cleaning and Unclogging
For french drain cleaning or quick unclogging, Can-Explore deploys its high-pressure cleaning equipment, including vacuum trucks. Our experienced team performs cleaning to ensure optimal water flow (only carried out if required, following the inspection and camera assessment).
If your property is affected by iron ochre, regular cleaning is essential, as this phenomenon cannot be completely stopped. We can install access chimneys to facilitate future interventions while minimizing excavation.
Foundation Waterproofing
Can-Explore offers comprehensive solutions to ensure the waterproofing of your foundation and prevent water infiltration. When a problem is identified following an inspection, we intervene to seal cracks and install appropriate protection systems.
Our services include:
- Repair of exterior cracks in the concrete foundation;
- Application of waterproofing membranes, such as Aqua-Bloc® 770-06 elastomeric membranes and Platon drainage membranes.
These interventions create a durable barrier between your home and the surrounding soil, significantly reducing the risks of moisture infiltration and the appearance of fungi or mold.
French Drain Repair and Replacement
Localized Drain Repair
Camera inspection allows us to identify defective sections of the drain beforehand, enabling targeted intervention without excavating the entire perimeter. When a localized repair is possible, we only excavate the damaged portion.
The defective drain section is removed and then replaced. We perform a watertight connection with the rest of the system, ensuring lasting flow.
Complete Drain Replacement
Completely replacing a French drain is a major undertaking that usually takes 2 days. The cost can range from $15,000 to $25,000 for a single-family home, including excavation, materials, waterproofing, backfilling, and labor.
This price excludes site restoration (landscaping is not included).
Key Steps for Complete Foundation Drain Replacement
Here’s how a complete residential foundation drain replacement unfolds:
- Meticulous excavation around the foundation;
- Removal of the old drain;
- Sealing cracks in the concrete;
- Installation of the new drain (according to APCHQ standards);
- Addition of clean stone and a geotextile membrane;
- Backfilling the land. We protect your property with plywood and manage debris to leave your site clean.
Note that french drain replacement costs vary depending on several factors such as the number of linear feet to replace, the complexity of the excavation, site accessibility, and the condition of the foundation.
Fill out our form for a free customized quote based on your property’s specific characteristics.
Buying or Selling a Home: The Importance of Pre-Purchase Inspection and the Risk of Hidden Defects
Before buying or selling a property, it is essential to verify not only the condition of the French drain, but also the sanitary and storm pipes that connect the house to the municipal network. A camera inspection helps identify any signs of deterioration, blockage, or improper connection, and prevents major issues once the transaction is completed.
The lifespan of a French drain is generally estimated between 25 and 50 years, making it a critical consideration for older properties. An undeclared defective drain may qualify as a latent defect, leading to significant legal and financial consequences for both the seller and the buyer. For properties built before 1985, for example, it is common to find clay or concrete drains, which carry no value in the eyes of building inspectors or insurers, and are systematically replaced during renovation work.
Request a free quote to inspect your foundation drain today.
Understanding Drainage Issues: Symptoms and Causes
It’s essential to recognize the signs of a faulty french drain to act quickly and prevent damage to your property.
Signs that a foundation drain requires cleaning
Pay attention to the indicators that may signal a drainage or water infiltration problem:
- Efflorescence (whitish crystalline deposits) on the foundation concrete.
- Excessive basement humidity (over 50%), water stains on materials, or standing water.
- Presence of mold or fungi on walls and floors.
These signs are good indicators that your French drain is no longer functioning correctly, allowing water to accumulate along the foundation and infiltrate.
FAQ
Our experts compiled the most common questions you ask us about foundation drains:
When should a french drain be replaced?
The lifespan of a French drain is generally estimated between 25 and 50 years as an indication, but several factors can influence this reality: soil type, quality of the original installation, maintenance over the years, drain type (material), etc.
Replacement becomes necessary only when camera inspection reveals major structural failures, obstructions, or significant sagging of the system. We perform targeted repairs whenever possible.
When a drain is functional, we don’t replace it!
How much does it cost to replace or repair a french drain?
As an indication, for a standard-sized single-family home, the complete replacement of the French drain can range from $15,000 to $25,000, including excavation, materials, waterproofing, backfilling, and labor. Foundation drain replacement costs vary depending on several factors such as the number of linear feet to replace, the complexity of the excavation, site accessibility, or the condition of the foundation.
We recommend contacting us for a precise evaluation that considers your property’s specificities.
How long do the works take?
The duration of the work varies depending on the nature of the required intervention. A complete foundation drain replacement generally requires 2 business days, depending on the perimeter length to be treated and excavation conditions. Additional waterproofing work may extend this duration depending on the scope of interventions required.
Is a camera inspection necessary?
Yes, camera inspection is the most effective and economical method to diagnose the condition of a French drain without costly excavation (when an access point exists). This technique provides visual documentation of the foundation drain’s condition that can be used for repair cost evaluation and future work planning.
Do you offer warranties?
All our drainage work is covered by a 5-year warranty. We are committed to performing every intervention with the same concern for quality as if it were for our own home. Our goal is not to revisit the same problem, but to offer you a lasting and definitive solution.
What is iron ochre and how is it managed?
Iron ochre is a rust-colored gelatinous deposit that naturally forms in certain iron-rich Quebec soils. This substance can completely clog a French drain within a few years.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely prevent its formation: the best solution remains regular maintenance. With inspection and cleaning, Can-Explore can assess the accumulation rate after an initial follow-up of about two years. Good news: this rate generally remains stable, which allows for establishing a suitable cleaning cycle.
Certifications
Drains Secours, a subsidiary of Can-Explore, is a company recommended by CAA-Québec, APCHQ certified and holding an R.B.Q. license (#2731-0861-85).
Request a Quote: Drain and Foundation Services
A Question?
Feel free to contact us. Our solutions are tailored to your needs.