Weeping Tile Replacement
Replacing the drain pipe at the base of the foundation that collects groundwater, laid to the Building Code's size and stone rules.
Priced as part of exterior or interior waterproofing; we found no separate tile-only range with two independent sources.
Find a Waterproofing ContractorAbout Weeping Tile Replacement
Weeping tile, also called drain tile or a foundation drain, is the perforated pipe at the bottom of the foundation that collects groundwater and carries it away. The Building Code requires drainage at the bottom of every foundation wall that contains the building interior, unless it can be shown to be unnecessary (O. Reg. 163/24, 9.14.2.1).
The Code's minimums for the pipe: at least 100 mm in diameter (9.14.3.2), laid so that its top is below the bottom of the floor slab, and covered on top and sides with at least 150 mm of crushed stone or other clean coarse granular material (9.14.3.3). Foundation drains go to a sewer, a drainage ditch or a dry well (9.14.5.1), or to a sump with a pump where gravity drainage is not practical (9.14.5.2).
The City explains that foundation drains in some older homes are connected to the sanitary or combined sewer, or may not be present, and advises that foundation drains should not be connected to the sanitary sewer. Ask where your tile goes before it is replaced.
"Structural foundation repairs and drain tile replacement" is on the City's building permit list. Digging needs a free locate request first.
Tile replacement is priced inside exterior or interior waterproofing work; see those pages for the published per-foot ranges.
What This Work Covers
- Pipe at least 100 mm, top below the slab
- At least 150 mm of clean stone over the top and sides
- Where the drain goes: storm sewer, ditch, dry well or sump
- Building permit for drain tile replacement
- Locate request before any digging
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What this work costs
Common questions about weeping tile replacement
- How big must foundation drain tile be under Ontario's Building Code?
- Are foundation drains present in every older Ottawa house?
- Is weeping tile priced separately from the membrane on an Ottawa quote?
- Where does the water from an interior drain end up in an Orleans house?
- When does Ontario's Building Code require a sump pump?
- Can a granular layer under the footing replace drain tile in Ontario?
- Will Ontario's Code allow a dry well where Ottawa groundwater sits high?
- Can waterproofing replace the drainage layer on an Ottawa foundation?
Other Waterproofing Services
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing
Digging down the outside of the foundation to the footing and putting a membrane or coating on the wall, with new drain tile at the bottom where it is replaced.
Interior Drainage & Sump Systems
A drain channel cut in along the inside of the basement floor that carries seepage to a sump pit and pump, without digging outside.
Foundation Crack Injection
Sealing a leaking crack in a poured concrete foundation from the inside by injecting it, priced per crack.
Sump Pumps & Battery Backup
New sump pits, pump replacement and battery backup pumps, with the City permit and the protective plumbing rebate in view.
Backwater Valves
A normally open valve on the sanitary or storm drain that closes when the sewer backs up, installed under a City permit as part of a flood plan.
Window Wells
New or replacement basement window wells, drained to the footing as the Building Code requires.
Structural Foundation Repair
Repairs to a foundation wall or footing that carries load, which the City lists as building permit work.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your weeping tile replacement job and we'll send it to local waterproofing contractors in Ottawa. They reply by email.