Perimeter Drains

Perimeter Drain Hydro Jetting Services

604-873-3753

Perimeter drains protect your basement walls by directing water out to the sewers from rain and ground moisture. Without free flowing perimeter drains your foundation walls could crack under the weight of water build-up. Perimeter drain clogs are the leading cause of a damp or wet basement, which can lead to mold and related problems.


We know from experience that perimeter drains should be cleaned every two or three years as they tend to clog up with dirt, tree roots, debris and silt. Regular maintenance is a good idea and we recommend you get them cleaned every two of three years. Call today for a free estimate.

Drain Tile Installation


Sewer drains last a long time, decades in many cases. They will fail over time for a variety of reasons and when they do, they need to be replaced. This job requires technical know-how to insure the drain slope is correct for proper water flow. Drain pipe connections must be secure and leak free to make sure the new system lasts another few decades. One of our professional installers can provide a quote once we make an on-site assessment.


If you suspect your sewer drains have collapsed, call during office hours to set an appointment.

How Important are Perimeter Drains?

Your perimeter drain system is a vital barrier between outdoor elements and your home. Typically installed in a hidden trench around the perimeter of your home, perimeter drains are usually a perforated pipe buried next to the foundation. This type of drainage system is designed to move water into the city sewers, thereby keeping your home safe from water damage.


It is recommended that you have a professional flush perimeter drains every two or three years.


When installed, perimeter drain pipes are placed in a trench and then covered by mesh to stop the soil from blocking the perforations. It is then filled in by diminishing sizes of gravel, with dirt to top it off. The gravel allows ground water to flow into the pipe with the entire system designed to slope away from the building, carrying water into the city sewer system. 


In essence: Perimeter drainage systems guide rain, melting snow and groundwater away from your home. 

The originator of these systems was a fellow named Henry French, so perimeter drainage systems are still referred to as a French drain on occasion. Perimeter drains, AKA drain tile, or weeping tile are the most important type of drain guarding against water damage in a wet climate such as that in Coquitlam. 

Things to Watch Out For

If you can see water stains in your basement, something may have happened to your perimeter drain system. This can lead to flooding if ignored! When left unchecked, older perimeter drain repair may be required as the pipes could have roots growing inside leading to all sorts of problems including broken pipe and completely blocked in some cases. Once it reaches this stage you have no choice but to replace everything leading out from the house.


Replacing sewer line is an expensive project because of the time and materials involved. Labor on a project like this is much lower than the cost of a licensed plumber, but costs will run into the thousands. 


If you want your home to remain dry, get a perimeter drain inspection done by a professional. This is a job for someone who knows what to look for and how to fix the problem. Special power tools and equipment are required such as that with a root cutting blade and high pressure water flushing hose.


Power Flushing a Clogged Drain: Perimeter drainage pipes can be clogged by dirt, plant roots, and debris, and is the number one reason people call us for help. When this happens, excess water can add undue pressure to the foundation of your home causing serious problems like cracking and seepage. Water ingress is the most common cause of mold, mildew and wood rot. Call us and ask for a quote on perimeter drain cleaning .


Wear and Tear: If your home is old and still has the original clay or concrete weeping tiles , they may have deteriorated and may even have collapsed. Intrusive roots are the most common cause of blocked and broken drain tiles. If they are beyond repair call then drain tile replacement may be in order.


Puddles Near The Foundation: Another danger sign is puddles forming in the yard. If you are unaware of proper sloping techniques it can be tough to understand why this is happening. If your drain system is not sloped correctly out to the sewers, that will be the reason puddles are forming in your yard and around the house. In a case like this we need to visit your place and assess things.


Gutters And Downspouts: Puddles can also be the result of inadequate clearance of your roof drainage & downspouts. If the water is not directed far enough away, puddles will form. One solution is to connect extended drain adapters to the downspouts. 


To ensure the exterior perimeter drain system is not the cause of puddling, call us to look at the situation. It pays to be cautious with drainage in a wet climate like we have here in the Lower Mainland.

Home Insurance

Unless your home insurance specifically covers flood damage, it is unlikely that generic home insurance covers water damage to property due to clogged perimeter drains and sewer pipe.



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Drainage Solutions

Sump Pump: If there is constant water build up in your basement, a sump pump can be installed inside the basement. If that is required, it requires installation by qualified contractor.


Cleaning & Inspection: Perimeter drainage is underground and out of sight, so it can be tough to inspect, so we use a special sewer camera for video inspection to pinpoint the problem. In most cases, a perimeter drain flush takes care of the problem. So if there is just a simple blockage, the pipes can be flushed. We access the drains via clean outs that are typically available at appropriate intervals around the exterior of your home.


New Home Construction: When a new home is built, a surveyor will inspect the property to ensure the required grading had been achieved to allow water to drain away from your home, but landscape grading can change over time. If you discover any of the previously mentioned problems, then it is possible something has shifted over time.


Repair Work: If it turns out that your drain pipes have collapsed, repairs are not always feasible, and replacement may be the only option. Sometimes deteriorated sections can be replaced with plastic drain pipes, but it is often necessary to replace everything. On the plus side, the new PVC perimeter drains pipes are built to last.


Insurance issues: Insurance companies are increasingly interested in waterproofing your basement. If you have a cracked foundation for example, this puts your basement at risk. Keep in mind that insurance policies rarely cover water damage mainly because it is a preventable problem. It is your responsibility as the homeowner to make sure your home is protected by dependable drainage. 


Maintenance is Key: If water stains are appearing in your home, or if puddles are starting to form around the foundation, we suggest you have the drain tiles inspected, cleaned and / or repaired.


When you plant new trees, or install something like a fishpond, water drainage may change. We can check the grade and suggest steps you can take to correct the problem.

Drain Tile Flushing Explained

Drain Jetting Services

It is not expensive to protect your property from basement leaks and similar annoyances caused by a clogged sewer drain.


Make the call and ask us to power flush the drains. Hiring a drainage specialist with water jetter, guards against any issue with perimeter drain and will save you the kind of headache you would rather avoid.


Call for an appointment today. We provide quality work at reasonable prices.

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