The exterior French drain is by far the best way to prevent water infiltration in the basement. It is a drainage system installed at the base of the footings to capture water from the water table and direct it to a drainage point. This drain prevents water infiltration, mold and ensures an effective control of the humidity level in the basement. We prefer to install the French drain outside because it is much more efficient than inside. The water will be captured as soon as it arrives at the footing of the foundation and directly directed to its evacuation point. There is therefore no risk of water stagnation or hydrostatic pressure against the foundations. However, certain obstacles may sometimes oblige us to proceed with a foundation drainage system from the inside.
Exterior and interior French drains difference
We install an interior French drain system when obstacles around the building require us to do so. The interior French drain system is not much less expensive than the exterior one, but it minimizes the impact on the earthwork and the space surrounding the foundation.
Be aware of the risks involved in installing an interior french drain. The interior french drain will effectively capture water from the water table but will not prevent surface water runoff from penetrating the foundation. We need to install drainage membranes on the interior face of the foundation walls to direct water infiltration into the sub-slab drainage system. The humidity level in the basement will therefore remain high and the building will not be safe from mold growth.
In addition, since water seeps through cracks and weaknesses in the foundation without restriction, the foundation will tend to deteriorate more quickly. It is not uncommon to see homes that have a drainage system have greater structural problems in the years following the installation of the interior drain.
In our opinion, there is nothing more effective than a French drain installed from the outside since it captures water directly at the source and we install a waterproofing membrane from the outside on the foundation. This technique completely prevents water infiltration and ensures the longevity of the foundation.
Have an exterior French drain installed
Installing a French drain from the outside obviously involves accessing the earthwork and the space surrounding the building or house.
Lesage Excavation has been providing French drain installation and repair services for over 15 years. Winner of the 2020 and 2021 Consumer’s Choice Award in the foundation repair category, our expertise and customer service are recognized throughout the Greater Montreal area.
We are available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
You have 3 ways to contact us:
- Call us at (514) 219-0125
- Send an email to: info@lesageexcavation.com
- Submit your project online here
We mainly serve the Montérégie, the Greater Montreal, the South Shore, a part of the North Shore as well as Ontario; and more specifically
Vaudreuil-Dorion – Montreal – Laval – Longueuil – Brossard – Candiac – Salaberry de Valleyfield – North Lancaster – South Glengarry – Alexandria – Hawkesbury – Rigaud – Hudson – Pincourt – Notre-Dame-De-L’ile-Perrot – Lachute – Montebello
We can also travel to more remote areas when it is a complex project and the owner cannot find a certified contractor in their area.