PERIMETER DRAIN INSPECTIONS

Your home’s perimeter drainage system is designed to catch ground water as well rain water from your roof system and dispose of away from your home.

The perimeter drainage is designed to prevent ground water from pooling at the base of your foundation and building slabs causing hydro-static pressure against the concrete resulting in wear and cracks as well undermining the solid base that your homes footings and walls rest on. Removing these waters efficiently is critical to keeping your home on solid ground and preventing water ingress and moisture related problems. The rainy and wet season here on the coast guarantees some overtime work for your drains. It’s a challenging job, and you want to ensure that they’re ready for it.

Over time, tree debris, roots, sediments as well the movement of the earth can all interfere with your drainage system’s ability to do its job properly. A well-maintained system that is clear of debris and free of broken tiles will be your home’s best defence in assuring this unwanted water does not flood or enter your home. The place to start is a drain camera inspection, an invaluable source of information that will definitively determine if there are any problems with your drains, what the source of the problem is, and how to proceed with repairs or servicing.

Here’s how our process works:

1. Our trained technician inserts a closed circuit fiber optic camera into the perimeter drains and feeds it through the drainage system from specific locations around your home. Occasionally light digging may be required to access the drainage system if the home does not have exterior clean outs or is of the concrete or clay tile variety.

2. The two biggest issues we encounter in perimeter drainage systems are blockages from root systems, sediment and debris. We can often clear and remove these blockages with conventional rooting or hydro-jetting equipment; however, sometimes the issues are more complicated and will require a more in-depth repair or replacement process. The only way to determine the extent of the problem is a camera inspection. We can then use the results of the inspection to provide solutions to any problem that we encounter. Anyone can buy a camera it’s the results and knowing how to evaluate the findings that brings value. With almost 24 years in the drainage business Vortech delivers professional and accurate service and is a leader in specialized industry.

3. All drain inspections come with a written report and our knowledgeable staff are always happy to answer any questions you may have at any point during the process.

You’ve had your drains inspected and we’ve determined that they need to be serviced.  Now what? 

Our technicians will know from the camera inspection exactly where the blockages are as well depth, what is causing them, and what type of drainage system you have which determines what equipment we will use. This will give them all the information they need to safely, efficiently and effectively clean your drains. Blockages from roots, dirt and debris are most commonly cleared with rooting and hydro-flushing equipment.

Root systems are cleared with our power rooting machines. A long, snake-like cable, coiled up like a giant spring, is inserted into the perimeter drains. The auger then rotates inside the drains, cutting and pulling root systems in its path this option however is only suitable for PVC systems as drain cables can often cause more damage to frail and weak tile then good, so experience is key at this point.

Dirt and debris are cleared with our hydro-flushing system which is inserted into the perimeter drain and the high pressure water does all the work from there. The system blows water in a reverse spray (toward the operator) so that the debris is extracted from the drains, rather than pushed further down the line where it could create a problem elsewhere. We slowly massage the cable back and forth in the drain line to ensure all the dirt and debris is flushed away.

Older drainage systems require delicate handling, as they are often made from materials like concrete or clay that wear down over time. Our expert technicians have all the knowledge, skills and experience to identify how best to approach cleaning and maintaining your drainage system.

On occasion servicing an old and tired perimeter drainage system is counterproductive and our clients’ money is better spent focusing on a partial or new installation. Vortech has three in house excavators and a knowledgeable staff to take on these projects and perform dozens annually. If we feel servicing does not offer you value, we will encourage this option.