Exteriors
Perimeter drains and drainage
We camera-inspect, clean, repair and replace foundation perimeter drains behind wet basements and damp crawlspaces. We quote it, schedule it, manage it and build it.
Greater Victoria · up-Island · Metro Vancouver
Free written quotes
After a site visit, with what is fixed and what is an allowance.
One contract
One point of contact, from quote to final walkthrough.
Licensed trade partners
Electrical, plumbing and gas, under our management.
Victoria to the Lower Mainland
Greater Victoria, up-Island and Metro Vancouver.
Drainage & perimeter drains
What we do
A perimeter drain is the pipe around the footing that carries groundwater away from the foundation. When it clogs, collapses or was never connected properly, water sits against the wall.
Option 01
Camera inspection
A camera fed through the cleanouts shows whether the pipe needs cleaning, repair or replacement. Ask for the video: it’s evidence you can show a second contractor.
Option 02
Cleaning and repair
Where the camera finds a clog or a damaged run, the pipe gets cleaned or the bad section repaired, and the cleanouts are kept usable for the next inspection.
Option 03
Full replacement
Digging around the house down to the footing for new pipe, cleanouts and a proper storm connection. Landscaping, walkways and decks in the way are part of the plan.
Our process
How the job runs
01
Inspection, written quote
We camera-inspect first, find out what system the house has, and quote in writing based on depth, access and what’s built over the drain.
02
Permits and BC One Call
We check whether your municipality needs a perimeter drain permit, get any Public Works approval for a property-line connection, and make the BC One Call before excavation.
03
Dig and rebuild
Our crew digs down to the footing, lays new pipe with cleanouts, keeps roof leaders separate and connects to the storm sewer. Expect landscaping, walkways and decks along the wall to be disturbed.
04
Restore and walkthrough
What comes out to reach the drain goes back as agreed in the quote. Then we walk the finished job with you, cleanouts included.
Built for the coast
Built for the coast
Search for perimeter drains in BC and the suggestions name Victoria, Port Alberni and North Vancouver. That fits the housing. Coquitlam notes older homes may run on a one-pipe system, and Saanich homes built before its storm rule may not be connected at all. Before we quote, we find out what you have.
Crawlspace encapsulation comes up in the same searches. If your crawlspace is damp, sort out where the water comes from first, then decide whether sealing it makes sense.
Rules differ by town and by house age
Port Alberni’s homeowner guide spells it out. A perimeter drain permit is required, BC One Call is required by law before excavation, rainwater leaders must be kept separate from perimeter drains, the drain must connect to the storm sewer and cleanouts are required. Connections to municipal services at the property line need Public Works approval.
Coquitlam says perimeter and storm systems shall not be interconnected except at the sump, and warns that older homes may have a one-pipe system that cannot take additional flows. Saanich requires new homes to connect to the municipal storm drain at the owner’s expense; homes built before that rule may not be connected.
- We check whether your municipality requires a perimeter drain permit.
- BC One Call before any excavation.
- Roof leaders kept separate from the perimeter drain.
- Cleanouts planned so the next inspection is easy.
Questions to ask any contractor
Ask us these too.
- Will you camera-inspect first, and can I keep the video?
- Is a municipal permit needed, and where will the drain discharge?
- Will the rainwater leaders be separated from the perimeter drain?
- How many cleanouts, and where?
- What happens to landscaping, walkways and decks during excavation?
Drainage & perimeter drains: common questions
Sources
City of Port Alberni: Perimeter drain installation (homeowner guide) · City of Coquitlam: Roof drainage systems for single-family dwellings (guide) · CHEK News: Saanich storm drain bylaw. Checked 2026-10-30.
Related work
Often quoted together
We take on drainage & perimeter drains across Greater Victoria, Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver. How we run a job.
Roofing & gutters
Roof replacement and repair in asphalt, metal or cedar, plus gutters and downspouts.
Windows & doors
Replacement windows, exterior doors and patio doors, flashed properly into the wall.
Landscaping & retaining walls
Garden design and install, patios, paths and retaining walls, including engineered ones.
Free quotes
Tell us what you’re seeing
Describe where the water shows up, when, and the age of the house. Mention any camera inspection. We’ll email you to confirm your free quote visit.