What signs indicate that your drain needs to be replaced?
In general, a French drain that is 20 to 25 years old begins to show signs of wear and tear. You should pay special attention to it. Mold or moisture stains in the basement, as well as efflorescence marks on concrete, are all significant signs.
As soon as any of these symptoms appear, you should contact Solutions Fondation Rive-Sud so that an expert can assess the situation and provide you with potential causes and solutions.
Often, a camera inspection will give us a good overview of the issue.
What happens to your foundations without proper drainage?
According this website: https://www.soumissionsmaison.com/prix-drain-francais/
A broken or blocked French drain can, over time, cause you a lot of trouble. The cost of repairs can quickly escalate if you don't act immediately. If, after consulting with your municipality, you confirm that the problem is not theirs, you should seek the services of a specialist in French drain installation or replacement as soon as possible to protect your foundations.
Remember that selling a house with a missing, blocked, or broken French drain can lead to legal action for hidden defects or significantly reduce the selling price.
It is recommended to address the problem promptly.
When a vertical drain is installed, can foundations suffer damage from freezing?
This myth is unfounded. It's not supported by any reputable research.
Certainly, even if the vertical drain or conduit is empty, heat losses from the foundations and the surrounding soil will hinder the cooling likely to be caused by the conduit.
Can I repair my French drain or a foundation crack myself?
Yes. However, specialized machinery and specific products are required. Even if you know how to repair a French drain, it's wiser to entrust this project to experts who already have everything on hand.
What risks do basement windows too close to ground level pose?
The SoumissionsMaison.com website informs us that:
During the winter season, heat escaping through the windows melts the snow.
Moisture entering through low-height windows combines with moisture emanating from the ground.
The likelihood of water infiltration is high when the foundation has an opening too close to the ground, namely: a window.
As for unheated crawl spaces, the severity of the problem could be reduced, although the possibilities of deterioration of joists and beams remain significantly high.
Homeowners often seal off windows located in crawl spaces. They do not realize that their main role is ventilation.
Alterations due to moisture are often present when crawl space vents or windows are sealed off.
Should I replace my waterproofing membrane as well?
Since excavation is the most costly part of the process, it's better to consider replacing the membrane at the same time rather than waiting and having to excavate again a few years later. A new membrane will ensure that the French drain can function at full capacity, so it's important that it's functional. It's just a matter of calculating the necessary materials and additional labor for this portion, since the most expensive part, excavation, will already be done. This way, you'll achieve cost savings and have an additional ally to protect your foundation, which is crucial in the face of potential water infiltrations!
Is a French drain always necessary?
Nowadays, homes are typically equipped with a drain. However, changes made to your property (such as extensions, landscaping additions, leveling, etc.) can alter the situation and necessitate the installation of a drain. If you notice a high level of humidity in your home or water seeping on the slab, it is essential to proceed with the installation of a drain to prevent significant damage.
In the 1970s, drains were not mandatory in Quebec. If your house predates 1970, it would be surprising if you didn't have a French drain.
Why maintain and replace your drain to save in the long run?
The French drain is a long-term investment, with a lifespan ranging from 25 to 40 years. Specialists at Solutions Fondation Rive-Sud offer a 20-year warranty against infiltrations due to drain malfunction. However, it's advisable to have the drain cleaned and inspected every 5 to 10 years. When your house is situated in clayey soil or soil with high sand content, more frequent maintenance is recommended. Soils with a high iron content can lead to issues with iron ochre. Regular checks can prevent many problems.
How can I tell if my French drain is damaged?
Several signs can indicate the need for repair or replacement of a French drain. Here are three commonly observed ones:
- Malfunctioning submersible pump.
- Water accumulation in the soil and lawn surrounding the foundations.
- Excessively humid basement.
- Efflorescence signs on the floor and interior of the concrete.
How to check the French drain?
It's possible to check its condition by conducting a camera inspection. The experts at Solutions Fondation Rive-Sud have high-definition inspection cameras that can be inserted directly through the catch basin or directly into the vertical drain exiting the ground to assess the condition of the drain.
After how many years should I change my French drain?
To avoid the breakage and collateral damage caused by French drain problems, we suggest having the drain replaced every 25 years (approximately). Talk to a Solutions Fondation Rive-Sud expert who not only knows how to repair a French drain, but has the right equipment to make certain that it's really a drain problem.
What is the minimum diameter of a French drain in Quebec?
The APCHQ website informs us that French drains must, at a minimum, have a diameter of 100 mm (4 inches) and be buried under 150 mm (6 inches) of ¾-inch clean stones (on top and on the sides).
What is the price of repairing a French drain?
The price can vary depending on the size of your foundation. Generally, the cost of such a project is approximately $15,000.
How do you know when you need a French drain?
If you notice efflorescence (white powder) at the base of basement concrete walls or if water accumulates on the floor (across its entire surface or along the walls), it's a sign of potential issues.
You might also observe a long trace of moisture at the junction of the wall and the concrete slab. Perhaps you'll see mold at the base of gypsum panels installed on the concrete.
Neglecting these issues can have serious consequences: deteriorating concrete, excessively humid basements that threaten the health of your loved ones and damage your property, not to mention the decrease in the market value of your home.
A homeowner looking to sell a house in such conditions will face significant difficulties. A buyer would be justified in seeking compensation or taking legal action for hidden defects. Therefore, it's recommended to address the situation without delay.
What is a French drain made of?
The French drain consists of a perforated pipe surrounded by crushed stone with a 3/4-inch size. It has a geotextile membrane. When installing a French drain, the foundations also receive a waterproofing membrane.
What causes cracks in the foundation?
The most common causes of foundation cracks are natural soil movements, freezing and thawing, and construction defects.
Can cracks have an impact on other structures besides the foundation?
Yes. If neglected, foundation cracks can quickly cause damage to the integrity of a residential building and lead to additional harm.
How should a window well be drained?
You'll need to ensure, when installing your window well, that water can be properly drained (even if it may temporarily accumulate). The recommended method is to install a vertical pipe that will drain water to the gravel backfill covering the foundation drainage pipe.
In the Building Code, it's Article 9.14.6.3 that essentially specifies the drainage method for a window well. It states that if water from the window well is discharged toward the foundation footing, the window well drain pipe must be directed toward the granular backfill covering the drainage pipe network and the footing. An analysis of this Building Code article helps us understand that a drain must allow for the flow of water that may accumulate in the window well. Additionally, the conduit should never be connected to the foundation drain to avoid introducing debris that could block it and create a clog.
What size should a window well be?
Window wells installed in front of a bedroom window in a finished basement should not obstruct the potential emergency exit.
According to Article 9.7.1.3 of the Building Code, a clearance space of at least 55 cm (approximately 21 inches) must be maintained in front of the window well to allow for safe evacuation.
An adult or even a child should be able to use it to evacuate in an emergency.
The U shape of the window well must be accentuated enough to allow a person to pass through during an urgent situation.
What dangers does a window well protect against?
Water seeping through windows leads to high risks of mold development. If your basement is a living environment, serious respiratory issues can be caused by the spores.
A finished wall may conceal mold from the inside. Other clues may reveal it: bulging paint, traces of water flow, musty odor, white crystallized deposits on the concrete.
Do we need to fill the pipe with stones?
It's not advisable to use 3/4-cut stone to fill the vertical drain of the window well stones, as this slows down the speed of water flow. Also, over time, the spaces will be filled with particles, further impeding drainage.
Also, a tube filled with 3/4-clean rock makes cleaning and inspection virtually impossible.
Our window well installation specialist will determine the solution that's right for you.