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Drainage

Drain Flushing Company

Storm Drains – Flushing and Maintenance
Whether you have an old or new drain tile system it is imperative that the drain tile network is unobstructed, and the sump and backwater valve are clean and functioning properly. This will ensure that water is led away from the base of your foundation and your basement kept dry.

Overtime, sumps accumulate sediments that can pile up so high that they eventually obstruct the discharge of water. Under these circumstances, the sump must be pumped dry and cleaned of muck and debris.

Under the building code in Vancouver new sumps which are located outside must be 18 inches minimum depth from the top of the water surface to the bottom of the sump. This allows for some buffer before sediments can clog the outflow and in only rare cases have I seen new sumps completely plugged. The backwater valve located in the sump must be inspected for proper function to ensure that water is free to flow through.

Most problems arise with older systems where the sump is usually located within the basement and has a significantly smaller catchment; these are often plugged. Probably the biggest problem with these older sumps is the backwater valve which is located in the sump and housed within a cast iron body. The flap or valve which is usually made from brass can jam within the housing from mineral buildup and obstruct outflow of drain water to the sewer.These old systems must be checked and maintained to ensure proper function.

Another issue with these old systems is that the catchment which is made from concrete is cracked and no longer holds water, exposing the backwater valve to the air. This can be a problem since [...]

By |October 18th, 2013|Drainage|Comments Off|
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Sewer Line Repair

Sewer drains include toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers. Most blockages within the home can be remedied by a variety of flushing techniques. However, persistent problems with toilets backing up and basement floor drains overflowing are often due to obstructions outside the home and within the sewer discharge line between the home and the City connection.

Periodic augering of these lines by our experienced professionals can clear your sewer line but continual maintenance is often a sign that your sewer line needs to be upgraded.

In Vancouver, sewer lines in older homes transition from cast iron pipe within the house to a sectional vitreous clay pipe outside the home. These old clay pipes become weakened over time, often infiltrated and cracked by root systems from trees. If you have trouble with your line ad there is a tree close to where your sewer line runs out to the street, chances are the roots have “mined” the pipe. Give us a call and we’ll look at your situation and give you a free consultation as to what steps you should take to keep your sewer line operational.
If you are in the Vancouver, BC area and you have questions about sewer line installation, repair or replacement, do not hesitate to call us at 604-306-1321 for a quote or fill out the form on the right hand side of this page.

By |October 17th, 2013|Drainage|Comments Off|
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Sump Pump – Installation or Repair

Most new homes in Vancouver that were built with a class 1 or class 2 fixture restriction have at least one sump pump, and rely upon the sump pump to move water away from their foundation and keep their basement dry.

It is imperative that these systems be checked at least once a year, and that the built in alarm system is functional. An alarm sounds when there is a failure in the system and an imminent threat that water may enter the basement. Some systems have a back up while others do not. I have personally inspected recent installations that surprisingly had no monitor or alarm. This means that at any time, the pump may fail without warning and water will begin to enter the basement. This can cause massive damage and huge costs. Having your sump pump and system checked by a professionally qualified technician is essential for your piece of mind and the protection of your home.

Although infrequent, I can remember a few occasions when Vancouver experienced an enormous amount of rainfall over short periods combined with unexpected power outages in various areas. These recent storm events wreaked havoc upon certain houses dependant on sump pumps. The inclement weather combined with power failure resulted in some sump pumps shutting down and basements flooding. Most owners are not aware of this danger. To make matters worse, if the alarm system is not battery supported, or if the battery has gone dead, the system cannot warn homeowners that the sump pump has stopped operating.

While many commercial systems have a generator backup, most residential systems do not. If you own a home with a finished basement that relies upon a sump pump, it is prudent [...]

By |October 17th, 2013|Drainage|Comments Off|
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Septic System Installation Or Repair

Waste elimination. It’s an inexorable fact of daily life, but no one wants to talk about it.

When it comes to your home, though, waste elimination is a topic that simply can’t be ignored. Maintaining or upgrading an existing septic system, or installing a new one, is one of the most important tasks faced by homeowners.

But getting the right person or company to do that work can be a challenge. It requires some research and homework about the type of septic system you have, along with learning the requirements of general maintenance and what’s involved in installing a new system.

The first step in the research is to know your own system.

There are several basic types:

Sand filter system. This is the most common septic system in most homes. It’s normally used in yards with very shallow soil, with a layer of sand between the pump tank and the drainage field treating the waste water before it enters the system. The sand makes up for lack of soil normally used to treat waste.
Mound system. This type of system is also used when yard soil isn’t deep enough for a traditional system. A sand-filled mound is raised over the natural soil, with waste water treated as it travels through sand into natural soil.o Gravity-based system. In this type of system, gravity is used to drain waste water into a series of trenches. The drainage field for the waste water must be below the level of the septic tank, and the bottom of trenches must be 3-4 feet below the water table. The soil above the water table is used to treat waste water before it returns to the environment.
Pressure distribution system. This system is normally used [...]

By |October 17th, 2013|Drainage|Comments Off|
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Drain Tile Repair – Installation Services

Repairs to Old Systems
In Vancouver, drain tile in old houses consists of a single sectional clay pipe beneath the ground around the base of the foundation on the outside of the house. In most cases, water collects in this pipe and flows beneath the basement slab to a small sump in the basement floor. From this sump, storm water leads back out and joins the sewer line where water leaves the property. Rain water from the roof is directed to the drain tile by means of rain water leaders that appear as pipes at the surface and beside the foundation, which connect to the gutter system around the roof. Therefore, old drain tile functions to handle both the underground water and rainfall water collected from the roof. This can put a heavy load on the system, especially when it’s old and degraded.

Our Company is highly experienced in this area and can quickly determine what if any repairs your old system requires to restore its normal function. If repairs are not an option, we can explain why and provide you with a detailed quote on upgrading your drainage to a new system.
Upgrading Old Drain Tile to a New System
If your system is degraded beyond repair, our drainage expertise can build you a new system that will protect your foundation and keep your basement dry. This involves carefully digging around the foundation of your home and removing the old drain tiles. We clean and check your foundation for cracks and imperfections, and then apply damp proofing to ward off moisture.

New drain tile is installed in the form of a 4 inch PVC pipe which is perforated and designed to collect water from the [...]

By |October 17th, 2013|Drainage|0 Comments|
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Drainage Systems Install/Repair

For most home buyers and homeowners, the home is the largest purchase they’ll ever make. It’s also their biggest asset, one they’ll often spend thousands of dollars trying to protect and upgrade.

One of the best and most important ways to do this is to install a first-class drainage system, or upgrade the system in an existing residence. Whether the home is new or lived in, having a well-designed, comprehensive drainage system adds value and helps ensure peace of mind for the owners.

But getting it done right requires top-level professionals. And finding those professionals means doing some homework about drainage systems and those who install them. Here are some of the basics when it comes to finding the company and people with the knowledge and experience to get the job done right.

Before you hire a drainage contractor, acquire some knowledge about your existing drainage system. Modern systems are designed to mimic the natural flow of water in the area. Most drainage solutions fall into one of two categories: drainage minimization solutions and drainage control system solutions.  From there, you should know the different types of drainage used in these solutions. Point drainage intercepts water at gullies and requires deep excavation. Channel drainage, meanwhile, offers a greater interception rate, and less deep excavation.

But the biggest development in drainage in the last two decades is slot drainage. This is a type of channel system that eliminates the need for extra pipework to be installed in parallel to the drainage, improving water collection and reducing the environmental impact of excavation and construction.

Finally, before you hire a drainage contractor, know the location of your utilities. This process should occur before excavation starts in an existing residence, and it will [...]

By |July 31st, 2012|Drainage|0 Comments|
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