Tag: do it yourself DIY drain repair tips

If you’ve been dealing with water collecting in your yard or noticing damp spots in the basement, you’re definitely not the only one. Drainage issues are more common than people think — and they can cause all sorts of headaches, from muddy lawns to water damage that ends up being expensive to fix.

That’s when a French drain might come in handy. It’s not complicated, but it works — by directing excess water away from the spots where it tends to collect and cause trouble.

In this web blog, you’ll learn everything about a French drain system—what it is, how it works, its benefits, and when you might need one.

What is a French Drain System?

You’ve probably seen it without knowing what it’s called — a French drain is simply a trench that’s filled with gravel and has a pipe underneath. The idea is simple: when water starts collecting in places like your yard or near the basement, it finds its way into this trench and flows through the pipe, away from your home. And it helps stop water from sitting around, soaking the ground, or creeping into places it shouldn’t.

Step-by-Step Explanation of How a French Drain System Works

Below is how a French drain system works once installed in your yard or around your home:

Water Collects in Areas Prone to Flooding

After heavy rainfall, water can pool in your yard, around your foundation, or near your basement walls.

Water Enters the Gravel-filled Trench

Since the French drain is filled with gravel or small rocks, water easily flows through these spaces and moves toward the perforated pipe.

The Perforated Pipe Redirects Water Away

After that, the pipe carries the collected water away from your home or yard to a safe drainage area. It can be a storm drain or a dry well. Or a lower part of your property.

Helps Keep Things Dry and Trouble-Free

Once the water is redirected, you don’t have to deal with soggy spots in the yard or worry about it entering your basement. It just goes where it’s supposed to go — away from your home.

That’s basically how a French drain works. It’s not complicated, but it does the job well, especially if you’re trying to avoid future repairs and messy cleanup.

When Should You Think About Installing a French Drain?

Here are a few everyday issues that might be trying to tell you it’s time to do something about your drainage:

Water That Just Won’t Go Away

If your yard turns into a mini pond every time it rains — and it stays like that for a couple of days — your soil might not be draining the way it should.

Mushy, Always-Damp Lawn

Even if it hasn’t rained in a while, does your lawn still feel soggy or squishy underfoot? That could be a sign of rising groundwater or poor drainage.

Basement Feels Damp

Ever walked into your basement and caught that musty smell or noticed paint starting to bubble or peel? That’s usually a sign water’s getting in from the outside. It might not seem like much at first, but over time, it can lead to mold or bigger problems with the structure.

Cracks or Stains on the Walls

Got weird stains or thin cracks along the lower part of your walls? That could mean water is pressing up against the foundation. It builds up slowly and starts to show in places you don’t expect — until it’s hard to ignore.

Living in a High Water Table Area

Some areas just stay damp. If the ground around your home always seems wet or you’re in a spot where water levels run high, that extra moisture can creep in fast. A French drain helps by giving all that water somewhere else to go — away from your house.

Benefits of Installing a French Drain System

Installing a French drain system offers many benefits to your space, such as:

• Prevents Flooding: No matter how heavy the rainfall is, a French drain system quickly channels the water away, preventing puddles, standing water, and wet basement issues.
• Improve Drainage: A French drain keeps your lawn dry and inviting by preventing soggy, muddy areas.
• Protects Your Home’s Integrity: By reducing water pressure on walls and soil, the drain system prevents cracks and structural damage.
• No More Mould and Mildew: Moisture is the primary reason for excessive mould and mildew growth in and around your home. By directing water away, a French drain helps prevent these issues.
• Prevents Soil Erosion: The system controls the water flow to avoid washing away soil around your property.
• Requires Minimal Maintenance: French drain systems require less maintenance, and once installed properly, they can manage water flow for years without frequent repairs.

Where Can You Install a French Drain?

A French drain system can be installed in various locations, such as:

• Around Your Home’s Foundation: To prevent water from standing near your basement.
• In Backyards and Gardens: To reduce soggy spots, standing water,  and improve soil drainage.
• Near Walls or Ceilings: To reduce water pressure that can damage walls and ceilings.
• Driveways or Walkaway: These are the areas where you park your car or walk. A French drain can also be installed there to prevent water buildup.

Can I install a French drain by myself or not? You can install, but it’s recommended to seek a professional’s help. French drain installation requires careful planning, digging, and grading to work effectively. For the best results and permanent solutions, it’s better to hire a professional.

Looking for Someone to Handle French Drain Installation?

If you need help with drainage issues, it’s best to bring in someone who knows what they’re doing. That’s where DrainCom comes in. We have been working on drainage solutions for over 20 years, and we know how to spot problems and fix them before they turn into bigger headaches.

We’ll start with a free inspection to figure out where the water’s coming from, then suggest a solution that actually fits your space. From the first look to the final install, we’ll make sure things are done right.

Want to get started? Just give us a call — we’ll answer any questions you have and set up a time to check things out.

Some of the services on the list may qualify you for rebates or subsidies offered by the City of Toronto. Call us at 905-238-6800or fill out this form to schedule a free estimate on drain repair or a free basement waterproofing inspection.

We all want to save money. That’s why many of us try to repair things around the house first, before choosing to call a contractor. Some things can definitely be done yourself, if you have some basic skills, knowledge and the time to do it. That includes drain repair. I’ll give you a few tips below, but keep in mind, you may want to call a licensed and insured drain repair company in Toronto. I’ll explain more about that as well. First let’s start with the causes of drain problems in Toronto and the GTA…

What Causes Drain Problems in Toronto?

Understanding the causes of your drain problems is essential to solving them. A good drain repair company in Toronto knows how to find the root causes of your clogged or leaking drains and understands the causes that are unique to the GTA. However, drain problems can be caused by a wide variety of problems that are not all unique to the Toronto area…

• Older pipes naturally degrade over time and can rust and develop cracks.
• Tree root intrusion is one of the most common causes of sewer backups in Toronto. Over 50% of blocked drain repair and drain cleaning problems are related to root intrusion. Tree roots can grow into sewer pipes and cause blockages. This happens a lot with old or aging clay or cast iron sewer lines or when you have species of fast growing trees on your property.
• Natural ground shifting can cause cracks.
• Heavy rain can overwhelm the sewer system and cause water to back up.
• Calcification is also a common problem. Over time calcium deposits form a crusty coating on pipes that cause clogging of pipes and drain lines, especially when hard water is in use.
• Blockages from overuse or because of foreign objects. Items like fat, oil, cooking grease, wipes, condoms, dental floss, and other personal hygiene products can clog pipes. Flushable wipes, even if they are labeled as “flushable” are unsafe to flush and can cause sewer backups.

Those are just some of the other causes of drain problems. What’s important to remember is that you can’t ignore small leaks. Small leaks lead to bigger problems and it’s important to address even those small leaks as soon as possible. Clogged or leaky sewage drains can cause serious health risks to you and your family. Contamination from mold and harmful bacteria is a very real problem. And it can cause problems for more than just your own family. Backed up sewer drains can lead to overflow that sends deadly waste water into our Mississauga streets, waterways and beaches. Next let’s talk about what you can do yourself to prevent basement flooding and how you can do your own drain repair…

Do It Yourself Drain Repair Tips

Before you call a professional drain repair company in Toronto, you can try combinations of the suggestions below to unclog drains as do it yourself drain repair tips…

• Boiling water: Pour boiling water directly down the drain to melt soap scum, grime, and toothpaste.
• Plunging: If that doesn’t work, you can use a snake or auger to break up the blockage. Keep in mind, using a snake or auger can damage your pipes if used incorrectly.
• Dish soap and hot water: Mix a few spoons of dish soap with about 2 liters of hot water and pour it down the drain. This works well for grease and other sticky residue.
• Salt and baking soda: An eco-friendly way to unclog a shower drain.
• Salt and borax and vinegar: Mix ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of borax, and 1 cup of vinegar. Let it sit in the drain for an hour before running the water.
• Baking Soda + Lemon Juice. Put 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, then pour a 1/2 cup of lemon juice down the drain. Let it sit for one hour. Flush it with a pot of boiling water.
• Hot Water and Dish Soap: Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, then follow it with a mixture of hot water and dish soap. The soap will help to break down the blockage, while the hot water can help to flush it away.

Baking Soda and Vinegar is not recommended! When you use baking soda and vinegar to clean out your drain, you may be causing more problems. The rubber and plastic that are used for the drain’s pipes can be eaten away by the mixture. Over time, this rubber and plastic will break down, causing the drain to become even more blocked.

If those methods don’t work, call a professional drain repair company.

When to Call a Drain Repair Company In Toronto

The most important thing to remember is that drain problems need to be addressed right away. Obviously, they don’t get better all by themselves. If you are able to take care of it yourself, that’s great. In any case, whether you do it yourself or call the best drain repair company in Toronto to help you, it has to be done as soon as possible or it can cost you thousands of dollars in damage to your home and landscaping.

Are you in need of a Drain Repair Company in Toronto or the GTA? Schedule your free estimate by clicking here or by calling us at 905-238-6800.

• Free Estimate, Up Front Pricing
• More than 20 years Experience in Toronto and GTA
• Licensed and Insured
• 1 Hour Response Time
• Step-by Step Explanation

All of our Toronto drain cleaning or drain repair service technicians are professional and courteous and treat your home with respect. If you live in Toronto or GTA, we provide swift emergency response to all of your drain repair and basement waterproofing issues. Our trucks are fully stocked with tools and parts to handle most drain or sewer problems.

And don’t forget about Basement flooding: Cracks in walls or foundations, broken water lines, or water heaters can cause basement flooding. The drain repair company in Toronto that you call should also be able to help you prevent basement flooding, especially with the recent flooding we’ve experienced here.

Don’t wait until your drain problems cause flooding or other serious damage. Call to schedule your free estimate today. 905-238-6800.

Other Drain Repair Services Offered by Draincom

Draincom is a licensed and insured drain repair company serving homeowners in Toronto and GTA. With more than 20 years of experience and the best guarantees in the business, you won’t find a better drain repair company. Here is a list of the services we provide related to drain repair.

• Drain Leak Repair
• Clogged Drain Repair
• Drain Cleaning
• Drain Camera Inspection
• Trenchless Pipe Repair and Replacement
• Sewer Cleaning
• Snake Drain Inspection
• Floor Drains Installation and Repair
• Backwater Valve Installation
• Pipe Severance and Capping
• Wet Basement Repair

Some of the services on the list may qualify you for rebates or subsidies offered by the City of Toronto. Call us at 905-238-6800or fill out this form to schedule a free estimate on drain repair or a free basement waterproofing inspection.

This is by far not the complete list of plumbing and basement waterproofing services we provide. Call us and explain the issues you’re having. We’re happy top help.