The moment a foundation issue is detected, narrow down the area in your basement right away. Feel free to move any furniture, couches or carpet that are in the way to allow us to make evaluation process easier. On the exterior of foundation wall, take note of your existing grade, shrubbery, trees, water taps or any variable that may be contributing to the leak. Remember, don't forget to check your eavestroughs!
French Drain with Dry Well Installation in Toronto
Our Awards



French Drain and Dry Well Installation
Service by GJ MacRae
“Quality is doing things right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford

Gravity Fed Drainage Solution: French Drain with Dry Well
When the French Drain is partnered with the Dry well, you get a highly effective drainage system that operates with the help of gravity. French Drain and Dry wells are a very old yet very effective system that is still utilised for drainage purposes. A dry well is a pit dug away from your home that collects excess water from your home and slowly percolates the water into the ground.
A French drain is a drainage system that drains water collected from your house safely away from your foundation walls. Trenches are dug around your property, and weeping tiles are laid on these trenches. These French drains carry water to the dry wells and collect the water in those wells. The dry well then does its job. The process is straightforward, effective, and a popular above-grade draining technique. Installing a French drain with a dry well is very economical and allows efficient drainage.
French Drain and Dry Well Installation Experts in Toronto
GJ MacRae is a complete basement waterproofing and foundation repair company in Toronto. We provide a full basement waterproofing solution to keep your basement dry. We also offer French Drain installation and Dry well installation services.
Having a proper drainage system around your home is just as important as having a suitable waterproofing system in your basement. Without a proper drainage system, the efficiency of your waterproofing system is highly reduced.
We have almost five decades of experience providing drainage solutions in Toronto and surrounding areas. Our skilled technicians are well knowledgeable in all kinds of drainage solutions. Installing a French drain and a dry well is one of our expertise. Despite being a simple process, the art of installing a dry well and a French drain is hard to master. And over the years, GJ MacRae Foundation Repair has perfected the process. Our team performs detailed research in selecting the ideal location for installing the dry wells. Also, it determines the size of the dry well, keeping in mind the rate of percolation and the depth of the water bed around your property. We can guarantee a high-performing dry well with a proper French drainage system. Our attention to detail and expertise makes us one of the best Dry well and French drain installation contractors in Toronto.
Dry Well and French Drain Installation Process

Step 1
The first step is to find the perfect location to install the dry well. We make sure that the dry well is far away from your house. We dig a hole around 4 feet deep and perform a percolation test. If the pit fills with groundwater, then the location is not fit for installing a dry well, as the water will not drain. But if groundwater does not fill the hole, we pour around 5 gallons of water into the hole and check the drainage speed. If all calculations are right, we choose that spot for dry well installation.

Step 2
We then install a dry well with a suitable capacity. The dry well capacity is selected based on the amount of water that is to be drained. If the area receives high rainfall or the house generates more excess water, then a high-capacity dry well is installed. Otherwise, a medium-capacity dry well works just fine.

Step 3
Then, we dig trenches to install French drains. We dig around 3-foot-deep and 12” inch-wide trenches. We give about 1-inch slop for every 8-10 feet of trench. Doing this can help water to flow away from your property.

Step 4
We then lay a filter fabric to prevent dirt and debris from clogging the drain pipes. We install perforated pipe in the trenches. We pour gravel all around the weeping pipes. The downspout extension and the sump pump outlet are connected to one end of the weeping tiles. The other end of the weeping tile is connected to the dry well. All excess water from the downspout, sump pump outlet or from the soil is carried through the French drain into the dry wells.

Step 5
Another layer of gravel is poured over the French drain, and the backfilling is done to restore the original grading. We then clean the area, and the process is complete. There you go, a perfect drainage system that operates with the help of gravity.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Waterproofing a basement is the technique of preventing water from entering a building or home’s basement or crawl space. It is crucial because structural issues, mold development, and health risks can result from water damage.
Heavy rain or snow, poor grading, blocked gutters or downspouts, foundation fractures, and plumbing leaks are some of the typical causes of basement water damage.
Depending on the contractor, different waterproofing services may come with a warranty or guarantee. When choosing a contractor, it’s crucial to inquire about warranties or guarantees and to check the fine print before signing any contracts.
Why Choose us?
GJ MacRae is a complete basement waterproofing and foundation repair company in Toronto. We provide a wide range of services, including French drain and dry well installation services. As a local, family-run company, we greatly value providing excellent customer service. We have had the honour of serving more than 10,000 customers since we first opened our doors in 1975.
With over five decades of experience, we can ensure a flawless installation of your French drain system and a Dry well. To provide high-quality results and durability, we use the highest-quality materials. We pay close attention to every detail while selecting the ideal excavation site for your Dry well and the proper inclination for your French drain. We provide services in and around the Greater Toronto Area, including Hamilton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Toronto, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Georgetown. We always provide the best job possible and stand by it with a 15-year transferable warranty. We have been featured on websites like HGTV, Homestars and Google Guaranteed for outstanding service.





A Word from Our Customers
Industry-leading GJ MacRae Waterproofing Services
GJ MacRae Foundation Repair provides customers with top-notch services in foundation repair in Toronto. There are various Waterproofing Services available such as Basement Waterproofing, Interior/Exterior Weeping Tile Systems, Sump Pumps Installation, Crack repair, etc. Over 48 years of experience and 10,000+ satisfied customers from Toronto, our licensed specialists are completely confident that we can guarantee the best results with the most reasonable price and warranty for each type of project request.

Basement Waterproofing Toronto
We specialize in basement waterproofing services for below grade concrete block, poured concrete, field stone, and rubble stone foundation walls. With over 48 years of service in the GTA and backed by the most reliable warranty in the business, see what the GJ MacRae difference is all about.

Foundation Crack Repair Toronto
Is there a crack in your poured, block, or rubble stone foundation wall, and is this crack allowing water to leak into your basement? Why do interior crack repair methods simply not work? Trust the experts and see why GJ MacRae Foundation Repair carries the most reliable crack repair warranty in the business.

Weeping Tile Systems Toronto
A century-old technology, reborn! Our services also include interior and exterior weeping tile systems coupled with deep insights and experience relating to all things drainage. Ask us about the difference between interior and exterior drainage methods and enjoy the benefit of our expertise!

Sump Pumps Toronto
Sump pumps and sump basins are an integral part of all below grade drainage strategies due to their simplicity, reliability, low cost and proven effectiveness. Ensure your sump pump, basin and battery backup system are well maintained and ready for the next big rain or thaw.

Structural Wall Repairs Toronto
Is the structure of your home moving and is this movement accelerating as the years pass? The sooner the integrity of your foundation is restored, the better. We have a full line of time-tested, certified structural foundation repair solutions tailored to your scope and budget.

Crumbling Foundations Toronto
Are your foundation walls spalling, eroding or fragmenting? Is this damage accelerating through the years? Stopping moisture penetration through your above grade concrete structure is imperative. We offer brush parging, s-type, adhesive, mesh, fiber and thermal-slurry solutions for a lasting barrier.

Basement Underpinning Toronto
GJ MacRae are pioneers of the overflow underpinning method in the Greater Toronto Area. Our underpinning process allows for safe, reliable vertical increases in basement ceiling height that can turn crawl spaces into full living quarters; and all for less than a standard second story addition.

Structural Carbon Fiber Toronto
When your foundation walls begin to show signs of cracking or bowing it is generally an indication of severe exterior lateral pressure from tree roots, hydrostatics or poorly draining soil. Click here to find out more about our full line of carbon fiber foundation reinforcement applications.

Window Wells Toronto
Basement windows are a great source of natural light and can also act as a designated fire escape, but what happens when window wells begin to deteriorate, clog and leak? Our hand excavated exterior window well repair solutions are permanent and allow for unimpeded drainage all year long, guaranteed.
Divert Water Away From Your House
Even though French Drain and Dry wells are very simple, they exceed expectations when it comes to drainage. They are one of the most famous methods of draining water away from your house without many complications. The perforated pipes do an excellent job of collecting water from the soil, and dry wells collect excess water and slowly drain them away from your house.
Need a French drain and Dry well installed? Contact GJ MacRae, the finest French Drain and Dry Well installation contractor in Toronto. Give us a call or fill out the form below and our team will inspect your drainage situation and provide an ideal solution. Feel free to contact us at (905) 824-2557 or fill out the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Waterproofing a basement is the technique of preventing water from entering a building or home’s basement or crawl space. It is crucial because structural issues, mold development, and health risks can result from water damage.
Heavy rain or snow, poor grading, blocked gutters or downspouts, foundation fractures, and plumbing leaks are some of the typical causes of basement water damage.
Depending on the contractor, different waterproofing services may come with a warranty or guarantee. When choosing a contractor, it’s crucial to inquire about warranties or guarantees and to check the fine print before signing any contracts.
Schedule A Visit With Us Now!
After you fill out the form below, we will contact you as soon as possible for A FREE ESTIMATE. If you still have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime.
- Phone : (905) 824-2557
- Email: hello@wetbasements.com
- Address: GJ MacRae Foundation Repair 470 Winston Churchill Blvd Oakville, Ontario L6J-7X2
So, What’s Next?
Step One To Three. When we say The Arc, we are talking not only about the company or the team. We are talking about our wonderful customers. We would never find motivation and the strength to do our job without all of them. We are proud of our clients.
STEP ONE
Observe and Document
Observe and identify the foundation leak or structural deficiency and document.
STEP TWO
Submit A Request Online
Complete our Request form here, and include as many photos and details as you can.
If you prefer to contact us online through email, please click here. We can help guide you through the most common foundation culprits to help save you time and money, and help you avoid the pitfalls of misdiagnosis or faulty repairs. If the issue is structural in nature, ask us about our engineering options. We offer free estimates, and we can help you make the best choice to stay high and dry for years to come
STEP THREE
Call Us at (905) 824 2557
Or you can call us directly! Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8AM – 5PM
If you would prefer to call us directly, we are available between Monday and Friday 8AM - 5PM. Let us guide you through the most common foundation culprits to help you avoid the pitfalls of misdiagnosis or faulty repairs. If the issue is structural in nature, ask us about our engineering options. We offer free estimates, and can guide you over the phone to help you make the best choice to stay high and dry.