News and Events

June floods put Calgary residents on edge

added on 2010/07/23 2:38:09pm

Calgary Basement Waterproofers Award $5K to Local Homeowners

added on 2010/06/01 12:43:24pm

What to expect from a good waterproofing contractor

added on 2008/11/14 2:56:59pm

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Recent Testimonials

The sales rep provided us with the necessary education to make an informed decision. Thanks for your help and prompt assistance!
Testimonial by Mary-Jo and Ian M from Calgary

...This week (June 10-16) it has been raining and it is the first time in 5 years that there has been no water in my basement. I would recommend you guys anytime!
Testimonial by Lindsay E from Calgary

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French Drain and Drain Tile Systems in Calgary, AB

WaterGuard is a State-of-the-Art French Drain or Drain Tile Water Drainage Channel

Calgary homeowners with foundation water problems are constantly disappointed with French drains (or drain tile) installed on the outside of their homes that just can't cut it when it comes to keeping their basement and crawl spaces dry. And when heavy rains hit, plumbers are forced to work around the clock to help pump out the wet basements that are flooding.

Basement Systems Calgary can help! We install a state-of-the-art interior French drain waterproofing system that is far superior to the old perforated plastic pipe French drains that use to be the standard up until the 1980s.

Call or contact us online for a Free French drain quote and basement inspection.

Installing French Drains on the Outside

French drains are installed most commonly after the home's foundation has been excavated and the foundation's walls have been constructed. A layer of gravel is set on top of a PVC pipe, and sometimes a lining of filter fabric is placed on top of that. Then loose soil is backfilled to fill in the space around the foundation, and the system is left alone until it clogs. A year later, when the backfilled soil settles, the area must be re-graded to prevent water from pooling around the house.

outside French drain - weeping tile While it may go as much as ten years without a problem, the pipe and filter fabric (if a filter was originally installed) is filling with sediment from the earth around it. Once the French drain or drain tile system is clogged, it no longer drains enough water from the system. The only way to keep the system running is to service it. This involves excavating the entire perimeter of the foundation (which means removing gardens, porches, sidewalks, and anything else), replacing the drain, and refilling the soil once again from the mounds on the yard.

In the next years, the soil will need additional re-grading as it settles. Because of this, homeowners in Calgary, AB – and all the way from Red Deer to Medicine Hat to Lethbridge – eventually find that they're going to need to find a different way to deal with foundation water leaks.

Interior French Drain Installation

Perimeter drains are installed underneath the inside edge of the home's foundation walls and are very popular. They're much more accessible for maintenance and do not involve the hassle and expenses of excavating. Basement Systems' innovative new French drain design – WaterGuard – is perfect for this job, and it's available throughout Alberta.

These French drains are installed just underneath the soil underneath the floor. Some installers believe a deeper trench is needed, but with a fairly high water table here in Southern Alberta pumping away water that does not reach the home in the first place will not help.

WaterGuard available in Calgary French drains often are installed with a large, unsightly gap around the perimeter to collect water from the basement walls. This allows humidity into the house while collecting debris from the floor that can clog the system. However, WaterGuard (pictured right) is installed with a special wall flange that rises up to collect water while allowing itself to be cemented over.

From here, the drain tile (French drain) directs it into a sump pump system. This sump pump then discharges the water out of the house and away from the foundation. Because the sump pump is the heart of the system, reliability is important. Installing a pump that could fail and has no backup can mean a flooded basement.

Fortunately, Basement Systems Calgary has the best sump pumps, backup sump pumps, and battery backup sump pump systems in the world!

Basement Systems Calgary provides two unique perimeter basement waterproofing systems, WaterGuard and DryTrak. Both are highly resistant to clogs and will not need to sit in the mud the way a French drain or drain tile system does. Our basement waterproofing systems install inside the home where they're easy to service, helping the basement stay dry all the time!

Call or contact us online for a Free French drain quote and basement inspection in Alberta.