French Drain Installation
French drain installation in Joliette, Repentigny, Terrebonne, and across Lanaudière. Code-compliant foundation drain, written warranty — 514.909.1422.
French drain installation in Lanaudière — foundation drain built to the Quebec Construction Code
Looking for a French drain installation around a new build or an existing foundation in Joliette, Repentigny, Terrebonne, Mascouche, Lavaltrie, or anywhere else in Lanaudière? Imperméabilisation GSV has been installing foundation drains for more than 30 years, in full compliance with the Quebec Construction Code, using quality materials and backed by a written warranty. A French drain installed correctly the first time will stay functional for 25 to 40 years, provided the right materials are used and the slope is calculated to the inch.
The French drain, also called a foundation drain or perforated drain, is the system that wraps around the footing of your foundation and carries groundwater away by gravity, either to a sump pit with a submersible pump or directly to the municipal storm sewer where the city allows it. Without a functioning drain, hydrostatic pressure pushes water through cracks, cold joints, and the pores of the concrete itself, which eventually causes basement infiltration.
In Quebec, every new residential build must be fitted with a compliant foundation drain. For older homes whose drain has reached the end of its useful life, full replacement by perimeter excavation remains the most durable solution. We assess your situation free of charge and provide a detailed written estimate.
When should you consider a brand-new installation rather than a repair? Three scenarios come up over and over again with our Lanaudière clients. First, any new build or any addition with its own concrete footing needs a new drain around the perimeter. Second, drains older than 30 years — whether clay tile, porous concrete, or first-generation perforated PVC — have almost all reached the end of their useful life and need a full replacement. Third, drains that have collapsed, been crushed by mature tree roots, or are completely clogged with iron ochre are rarely salvageable: rebuilding the whole system is usually cheaper, over a 10-year horizon, than stacking up one-off repairs.
Our French drain installation process
Every installation starts with a site inspection: footing depth, soil type, any known iron-ochre activity in the area, equipment access, location of utilities, and the elevation of the municipal storm sewer. This step drives everything that follows, including excavation depth, pipe slope, the choice between sump-pit or storm-sewer connection, and the quantity of clean gravel required.
We then excavate around the perimeter with our mini-excavator, all the way down to the footing. A bed of clean gravel sized between 1/2 and 3/4 inch is laid in the bottom of the trench to ensure drainage. The perforated pipe is set on this bed with a continuous slope of at least 1% toward the outlet, then covered with a geotextile membrane that keeps fine soil particles from migrating into the pipe and clogging it down the line. On new builds we take advantage of the open excavation to apply the waterproofing membrane against the foundation wall at the same time.
We routinely install cleanout risers at the four corners of the house. These vertical access tubes brought up to grade allow, over the years, high-pressure cleaning and camera inspection of the drain without further excavation. In sectors known for iron ochre, such as Lanoraie, Berthierville, and parts of Joliette and Repentigny, we apply additional preventive measures: BMT pipe rather than standard perforated PVC, reinforced geotextile, and a planned maintenance schedule.
The new drain is connected either to an interior sump pit fitted with a submersible pump, or directly to the municipal storm sewer where the local bylaw permits it. Backfill is placed in compacted lifts to prevent later settling, and we restore the surface, whether lawn, asphalt, or pavers, as well as site conditions allow. You receive a written warranty on both workmanship and materials.
The choice between BMT pipe and standard perforated PVC deserves a few words, because it makes a real difference. The white 4-inch perforated PVC handles most homes on dry or clay soil. BMT pipe, with its corrugated wall and finer perforations, is our standard recommendation in sectors at risk of iron ochre, because it flushes out more easily with high-pressure water and the perforation geometry limits the build-up of iron biofilms. On some sites we combine both: BMT around the house and PVC for the outlet run. That flexibility is part of what you pay for when you pick an experienced installer rather than the lowest bidder.
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Frequently asked questions
Get your French drain installation estimate
Planning a new build, or has your foundation drain reached the end of its useful life? Contact Imperméabilisation GSV for a free inspection and a written estimate. Over 30 years of experience, certified RBQ, APCHQ, RECQ, and Réno-Maître. Call 514.909.1422.
Why choose Imperméabilisation GSV?
- Over 30 years of experience
- Free, no-obligation estimate
- RBQ Licence: 5596-4496-01
- APCHQ, RECQ, Réno-Maître certified
- Warranty on all work
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Fast, professional service in Lanaudière, Laurentides, and Rive-Nord