The French drain, or foundation drain, protects your basement by carrying away water that collects at the base of the walls. When it clogs or collapses, water pushes against the foundation and eventually gets in. A camera inspection lets you see inside the drain without digging, locate problems and decide knowingly between cleaning and replacement.
Signs a French drain is struggling
The most common clues are dampness or white efflorescence at the bottom of foundation walls, a musty basement smell, water appearing at the wall-slab joint, a sump that stays dry even after heavy rain, or, conversely, a pump that never stops.
Age matters too: many drains installed before the 1980s were clay tile or materials that deteriorate. An old drain isn't necessarily defective, but it's a component to check before buying.
How the camera inspection works
The camera goes in through an existing access such as a cleanout, the sump or an opening in the slab. It moves along the drain and transmits live video, with a distance counter that locates each problem relative to the house.
The inspector observes the pipe wall, deposits, roots, sand or iron ochre, sagging or crushed sections and connections. The video and annotated screenshots are attached to the report.
Clean, repair or replace
A drain fouled by sediment or iron ochre can often be cleaned with high-pressure water, followed by periodic maintenance. A crushed, badly sagging or root-invaded drain usually needs a local repair or replacement.
Knowing exactly where the problem is often saves a lot: you only excavate the affected section instead of the whole perimeter. The report gives each anomaly's position and nature to help with contractor quotes.
Drain inspection before buying
For a home over 25 or 30 years old, or one showing basement moisture signs, a camera inspection is an excellent complement to the pre-purchase inspection. Replacing a French drain costs thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars.
The result lets you negotiate on facts: a video showing a crushed drain is more convincing than a guess. Conversely, a drain in good shape reassures you about one of the home's most expensive components.
