If your drainage system is doing its job, you don’t have to think about it. Its main task is to prevent the large amount of rain we get in Vancouver from becoming a problem inside your home. One essential part of your drainage system that you may not give much thought to is your perimeter drainage, also known as foundation drainage. Perimeter drainage is your first line of defense for keeping water away from your home’s foundation. Learning a bit about drain cleaning for your perimeter drainage can go a long way to saving you money on your Vancouver property.
WHAT IS PERIMETER DRAINAGE?
Perimeter drainage is specifically designed to protect your foundation and basement from water. Typically, it’s a buried pipe that runs around the perimeter of your home. This pipe has holes in it large enough to allow water in but small enough to keep dirt out. Just as the gutters on your roof protect your house by safely redirecting rainwater away from the structure, your perimeter drain does the same for water underground. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF IT FAILS?
If there’s a problem with your perimeter drainage, there will almost certainly be early signs to tell you there’s an issue. If there is a musty or moldy smell, a feeling of dampness in your house, water seeping in from the base of your foundation, water backing up through internal floor drains, or major flooding you may have an issue with your perimeter drainage. In most newer built homes, homes less than 25 or 30 years old, perimeter drainage failure can be avoided by regular cleaning of the drainage system. Basic and regular maintenance will save you a lot of trouble and money. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU OWN AN OLDER HOME WITH A CONCRETE OR CLAY DRAINAGE SYSTEM?
Routine maintenance of older perimeter drainage systems is particularly important. If it has been neglected then cleaning will usually be unsuccessful and a new drainage system is often required. Also, foundation walls in older homes often become porous because of a breakdown in the exterior concrete finish and flooding is more likely to occur. Preventing a catastrophic event is achieved through regular maintenance and cleaning and flushing of the perimeter drainage system every 24-36 months. If you want to know what you can do to prevent any perimeter drainage issues, we at Budget Drainage are here to help. If you need any drain cleaning or perimeter drainage work, contact us at our Vancouver offices.
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