Frequently Asked Questions

How is shipping determined ?

You need submit a quote request. Each item has an ADD TO QUOTE button on them and you simply fill your cart and submit.

Orders that have rolls of pipe must be shipped on pallets requiring freight rates based on postal code, dimension of pallet, weight and if the ship to address is a residential or business address.

All other items can be shipped in a box with real-time shipping rates based on the address of the ship-to location. Those rates are established at the checkout prior to paying. You select the courier of your choice.

NOTE: ALL common carrier LTL shipments are quoted differently depending on what is ordered and which carrier has the lowest price. All shipping charges are added to the original quote request based on how many rolls of pipe are required to ship. 

French Drain Man receives quotes from 10 plus common carriers to get you the best rate as we always go with the cheapest rate posted. 

Do you provide DIY planning advice or what materials to buy lists for projects?

While we understand many homeowners are interested in DIY solutions, we don't provide specific planning advice or materials lists for several important reasons:

Product Knowledge and Support:

We're happy to answer questions about drainage products and their intended uses Our team can explain how different drainage solutions work.

  • We can clarify what specific products are designed to do
  • We share general best practices for product installation
  • We provide information about product specifications and applications

Why We Don't Provide Specific Planning:

  • Each property has unique drainage patterns
  • Written plans can be interpreted differently than intended
  • Site-specific solutions need direct assessment
  • Our expertise is best used in hands-on solutions
  • We focus on successful outcomes

Available Resources:

  • Our YouTube channel with extensive educational content
  • General product information and comparisons
  • Installation concepts and considerations
  • Problem identification guidance
  • Maintenance tips and best practices

While we don't create custom DIY plans, we're always happy to explain how products work and answer questions about drainage solutions. Our YouTube channel provides additional in-depth information about various drainage systems and their applications.

Feel free to ask us about:

How specific drainage products work

What different products are designed to accomplish

General product installation guidelines

Product specifications and requirements

Basic maintenance requirements

Visit our YouTube channel for detailed educational content about drainage solutions and systems. We believe in helping you understand drainage products and solutions, while ensuring you have the information needed for success.

Where can I pick this up ?

An appointment is required for ALL pick ups.

Please contact the office by emailing support@frenchdrainman.ca

Phone 365 292 0022

Unit 1 – 2267 Industrial Street , Burlington, Ontario

Do you offer contractor pricing ?

Yes. Please navigate to the Contractor page and fill out our form.

What is your Return Policy ?

All returns must be approved for return within 15 days of the purchase date.

If you are not fully satisfied with the product you received, please email the office at support@frenchdrainman.ca with the details. The request should include name, address, invoice number, and items to be returned and why.

No product(s) purchased from French Drain Man Canada shall be returned to French Drain Man Canada without the written approval of French Drain Man Canada management and proof of purchase.

In the event such approval is obtained, 15% restocking charge shall be deducted from the refunded purchase price.

No product(s) will be accepted for return that has been used and must be merchantable and immediately ready for resale. Any return of product(s) to French Drain Man shall be the sole responsibility of the Customer, at Customer’s sole cost and expense, which includes shipping.

Ship items to: 2267 Industrial Street Unit #1, Burlington, ON, L7P1A2

You should expect to receive your refund within 30 days of giving your package to the return carrier. However, in many cases, you will receive a refund sooner. 

What to do if my shipment is delivered damaged ?

In order to submit a damage claim with freight carriers, photos of the damaged shipment on the truck will be required. 

The customer will also need to have the driver make note of the damage on the bill of lading before signing to receive the shipment if you are keeping the shipment. 

The customer has the right to refuse the shipment on the basis of damaged goods and must make French Drain Man aware prior to any new shipment being sent. 

French Drain Man Canada will submit photos of pallet condition prior to being picked up for delivery AND the customer’s photos on the truck as mentioned above to the carrier for a damage claim.  

IF the customer doesn’t do this we have no recourse with the carrier for damage and the responsibility will be on the customer.  

When will my order ship ?

All Orders ship within 24 – 72  hours. All tracking information will be emailed to you once the carrier picks up the shipment. If you did not receive your tracking information please email us support@frenchdrainman.ca and we will respond accordingly. If we are waiting on material for your shipment, we will call or email you ASAP.

How do I get shipping for my order ?

All items marked SHIPPING QUOTE REQUIRED require a shipping quote. IF you have items that do not require a shipping quote then simply put your postal code and city in the proper spot at checkout and shipping options will appear for you to select. You do not pay for anything to see the shipping rates posted.e

Drainage Solutions 101

What types of drainage systems do you offer?

We provide a comprehensive range of drainage solutions including:

French drains

Surface drains

Channel drains

Perimeter drainage systems

Yard drainage solutions


Each system is custom-designed to address a specific water management need.

What is a FDM French Drain?

A FDM French Drain is a drainage solution that combines our proprietary parts made from HDPE ( High Density Poly Ethylene ) designed for building effective water management systems.

At its core, it's a professionally engineered trench filled with specific trench slopes, grades of gravel and our custom perforated piping system that redirects both surface and ground water away from your property. Unlike standard drainage solutions, our systems are:

Components:

  • A sloped trench that directs water flow
  • High Octane pipe coupled with Non Woven Geo Textile fabric to prevent clogging
  • Clean gravel or rock that surrounds the pipe
  • Geo Textile fabric keeps soil from mixing with the gravel and clogging the pipe
  • An exit point where water is safely discharged away from your property

How it works:
When water enters your yard or approaches your foundation, instead of pooling or causing damage, it:

Seeps down through the soil and gravel

Enters the perforated pipe through tiny holes

Flows downhill through the pipe

Exits safely away from your property

Key Benefits:

Prevents basement flooding and foundation damage

Eliminates standing water in your yard for bug breading pools

Protects landscaping from water damage

Reduces risk of mold and mildew

Increases property value by solving water issues

Works automatically without pumps or power

Common Applications:

Around house foundations

In yards with poor drainage

Along retaining walls

Between properties

Around swimming pools

Near garden beds and landscaping features

Think of it as an underground river that captures and redirects water before it can cause problems on your property.

How do I know if I need a Drainage System?

You might need a Drainage System if you experience:

  • Standing water in your yard after rain
  • Wet basement or foundation walls
  • Recurring mold or mildew issues
  • Water pooling around your foundation
  • Soil erosion in your yard

How do changes to neighboring properties affect drainage?

Understanding how neighboring properties impact your drainage is crucial. Water naturally flows downhill, so changes to any property at a higher elevation than yours can significantly impact your yard's drainage patterns. Here's what you need to know:

Common Neighbor Changes That Cause Problems:

Home Modifications:

  • Building additions that change roof runoff patterns
  • New roofline designs that concentrate water flow
  • Downspout relocations that direct water toward your property
  • Foundation work that alters ground slopes
  • New driveways or walkways that create impermeable surfaces
  • Pool installations that change soil composition and water flow
  • Basement excavations that modify underground water movement

Landscape Changes:

  • Raising yard levels with additional soil or fill
  • Installing retaining walls that redirect water flow
  • Removing trees or large plants that previously absorbed water
  • Adding large paved or concrete areas
  • Changing garden bed heights or locations
  • Modifying existing swales or drainage paths
  • Regrading that creates new water flow patterns

Why These Changes Matter:

  • Each modification can create new water pathways
  • Small changes at higher elevations can have major impacts downhill
  • Underground water patterns may shift without visible surface changes
  • Seasonal effects might not be immediately apparent
  • Multiple small changes can combine to create significant problems

What's involved in the installation process?

Our installation process includes:
1. Property assessment and drainage plan development
2. Utility location and marking
3. Trench excavation
4. Installation of gravel bed and perforated pipe
5. Connection to discharge point
6. Backfilling with proper materials
7. Site cleanup and restoration

Will installation damage my landscaping?

While some disruption is inevitable, we take great care to minimize impact on your property. We carefully remove and preserve existing plants when possible, and restore the area after installation. We can also recommend landscaping solutions that work well with your new drainage system.

How much does a Drainage system cost?

Costs vary based on:

  • Length and depth of the system
  • Property conditions
  • Access challenges
  • Additional features needed

Why should I send photos or videos of my drainage issues?

Quality documentation of your drainage problems can save time, money, and help us provide the most effective solution. Here's why photos and videos are crucial for our assessment:

  • Real-time water flow patterns: Photos and videos during rainfall show us exactly how water moves across your property, revealing crucial drainage paths we might miss during dry weather
  • Problem source identification: What appears as a simple puddle might actually be caused by issues elsewhere on your property - good documentation helps us trace water problems to their true source
  • Seasonal changes: Documentation from different weather conditions helps us understand how your property handles various amounts of rainfall
  • Pre-visit planning: Clear visual evidence lets our team prepare the right equipment and materials before arriving on site
  • More accurate solutions: Understanding the full scope of your drainage issues through visual documentation helps us design the most effective, long-term solution
  • Cost-effective assessment: Good photos and videos can eliminate the need for multiple site visits, potentially reducing your overall project cost

These visuals allow our experts to:

  • See exactly how water moves across your property
  • Identify potential problem sources that might not be visible during dry weather

The best documentation includes:

  • Videos during active rainfall showing water flow patterns
  • Photos of standing water and problem areas
  • Images showing the full scope of affected areas
  • Close-ups of any property damage
  • Pictures from different angles and times of day

Email your photos and videos to support@frenchdrainman.ca

Do you offer warranties?

Our comprehensive two-year warranty covers both labour and materials under the following terms:

What's Covered:

All original installation labour

All originally installed materials

Labour for warranty-related repairs

Replacement of defective materials

System adjustments needed to maintain proper drainage

What's Not Covered:

Additional materials beyond the original design

Modifications requested after initial installation

Damage caused by third-party work

Alterations made by the property owner

Issues arising from unauthorized system changes

Important Notes:

This warranty becomes void if the system is modified by anyone other than French Drain Man Canada

Any modifications must be inspected and approved by our contractors

System expansion or enhancement requests will incur additional material costs

All warranty claims require inspection by our certified technicians

To maintain your warranty coverage, please contact us directly for any system modifications or repairs. Unauthorized changes may compromise system performance and void your protection.