A perimeter drain replacement sounds disruptive, and it is real excavation work, but a good crew keeps it organized so you always know what is happening on your property. Here is what the job looks like from start to finish on a typical Greater Victoria home.
1. Site assessment and written scope
Before any digging, we look at your grade, downspouts, soil, and where water is actually showing up. That tells us how much of the perimeter has failed and what the job involves. You get the scope, price, and timeline in writing so there are no surprises later. This is also where we confirm whether you truly need a full perimeter drain replacement or a smaller fix.
2. Excavation to the footing
We dig down to the foundation footing around the affected sides of the house. On Victoria lots that often means working carefully around mature landscaping, patios, and tight side yards. We protect what we can and set the excavated soil aside for backfill.
3. Removing and inspecting the old pipe
The old weeping tile comes out, and we confirm exactly what failed, whether it collapsed, silted up, or was crushed by roots. Understanding the failure matters, because it tells us how to build the new system so the same thing does not happen again.
4. Installing the new drainage
We lay new perforated pipe on a proper continuous slope so water actually flows to the outlet, wrap it in filter fabric to keep clay silt out, and surround it with clean drain rock. Built this way, the drain is designed to keep working through years of coastal winters.
5. Waterproofing while the wall is open
With the foundation wall exposed, it is the ideal moment to re-membrane it and seal any cracks. Doing this now means you are not paying to open the same wall again down the road. Whether to add it is your call, and we will explain the trade-off.
6. Backfill, re-grade, and restoration
We backfill the trench, then re-grade the surface so water runs away from the house rather than back toward it, which is a big part of keeping the basement dry. Finally we restore the site, replacing walkways or planting beds that had to come out, and leave it tidy.
How long does it take?
Most single-family replacements take a few days to about a week, depending on how much of the perimeter is involved, access, and weather. Excavation days are weather-dependent, but the Victoria wet season does not stop the work, in fact winter is when most people discover they need it.
Ready to see what your home needs?
The process always starts the same way: a site assessment and a written scope. Send us the details of what your home is doing and we will arrange a visit.