Foundation Drain / French Drain

Nowadays, most homes are equipped with a foundation drain, also called a French drain. This type of drain helps divert water away from the foundation to the nearest sewer or ditch in order to reduce humidity levels around the foundation. A foundation drain plays a great role in the conservation of a healthy property.

Causes of Improper Foundation Drainage

Over the years, some elements might hinder your foundation drain’s ability to function properly.

Here are common factors of French drain ineffectiveness:

Root growth punctures, clogs, and damages French drain tubing.
Silt and mud build up inside the French drain and end up clogging its tubing; water is no longer able to flow inside the drain.
Tubing is clogged by a reddish sludge brought about by ferrous ochre.
Silt buildup overlays the textile membrane which covers the foundation drain; this keeps the water from entering the drain.
The French drain is slanted toward the building and causes water to stagnate around the foundation.

Signs of a Flawed Drainage System

Excess humidity near the foundation can cause serious problems which may in turn lead to considerable expenses and health hazards.

A defective foundation drain may be detected by the following visual cues:

Concrete walls lined with white powder (efflorescence)
Water stains between the walls and the floor slab
Mold in the basement
Swelling of the paint on concrete surfaces
Deterioration of concrete
High humidity in the basement

Our Solutions

Fissure 640 uses a wide range of techniques to restore optimal drainage of the foundation. We will put together a drainage solution that will best fit your needs.

Fissure 640 offers the following services:

Drain-photo-2Pre-purchase Inspection – helps locate water infiltration problems and assesses related repair costs before closing the deal (nominal fee for expertise); untreated foundation cracks often result in the withdrawal of potential buyers
Camera Inspection – official drain inspection with the use of a camera; report and video clip provided on demand
French Drain Replacement – soil excavation around the foundation, removal of the defective drain, and installation of a new French drain
Drain Installation for Ferrous Ochre – use of smooth-walled perforated PVC pipes that are compliant with obligatory standards imposed by the Quebec Standards Service (BNQ)
Window Well Installation – essential when the window is flush with or below ground level, especially when the ground is sloped
Interior Drain Installation – provides added drainage and damp-proofing of the foundation
DB Certified Backfill – use of backfill specially designed for pyrite-prone soil; crushed rock does not swell in the presence of pyrite (see Pyrite section on the Foundation Cracks page)
Installation of Cleanout Points – two rigid pipes connected to the French drain by the means of fittings (put in place at a 45 degree angle)