Draining water that is leaking into the ground and preventing the accumulation of water in walls: French drains

French drains (drainage pipes) are designed and used to drain water that is leaking into the ground surrounding your building toward the water table, and also to prevent the accumulation of water around the walls. When a water leakage arises, it is very important to act quickly to find the source of the defect.

There are numerous causes for defects in French drains, namely:

Iron ochre: Iron ochre is the result of a chemical reaction. This reaction occurs when the air in the French drain is exposed to the iron found in the water tableThe water table is an underground layer of porous gravel, water-soaked and located at shallow depth.. The resulting precipitate takes the form of a viscous and gelatinous ochre-coloured substance.

Some call iron ochre drain cancer. It accumulates in the French drains surrounding a building’s foundation. If the drains become clotted, this can cause irreparable damage to the foundation.

Other causes of French drain defects include tree roots, dead leaves (e.g. when the vertical portion of eaves troughs are connected to the drains), fine soil particulate or mechanical failures.

Our team uses the latest equipment to evaluate the condition of your drain, offer a reliable diagnosis and recommend effective remedial action. Inspections with high-definition colour cameras allow us to ascertain the severity and the nature of damages to your French drain. This camera enables us to see the interior of the drain, which may be damaged.

This procedure helps us assess precisely the extent of the problem and helps you avoid having to make unnecessary major repairs, such as completely replacing the drain. Furthermore, we can accurately evaluate your drain’s residual life.