Homeowner guide
Sewer or water entry in Montreal: when to dig and what it costs
Basement backup, low flow, sewer odour or settling ground along the pipe usually means your service connection has a problem that needs digging. A full water entry or sewer connection replacement typically takes 1 to 5 working days, plus the municipal permit delay.
When you need it
The signs to watch for
- Basement sewer backup after a heavy rain
- Low water flow or pressure in the house
- Sewer odour around the house or in the basement
- Visible ground settlement along the pipe path
- Brown or rusty water from the faucets
- Camera inspection showing cracks, roots or pipe collapse
How we work
Step by step
- 01We understand the exact problem: backup, leak, low flow, odour, settlement or preventive replacement.
- 02We pull municipal plans and confirm depth, diameter and pipe path.
- 03We coordinate with the municipality — a permit is required to touch a service connection.
- 04We excavate carefully to the pipe while limiting risk to existing services.
- 05We replace, repair or connect sections per approved scope, with slope verified.
- 06We pressure-test for leaks, backfill with proper materials and restore the surface.
Cost and time
What affects price and timeline
Every job is different. Here are the concrete factors that move the estimate up or down. The fast quote tool accounts for these points.
What affects the price
- Type of work (localized repair vs full replacement)
- Connection depth (often 5-10 ft, up to 15+ in some areas)
- Length of pipe to replace (house to street vs single section)
- Municipal permit (varies by borough)
- Surface restoration (sidewalk, lawn, asphalt or pavers to redo)
What affects the timeline
- 1 day for an accessible localized repair
- 2 to 5 days for a full water entry or sewer connection replacement
- Municipal permit delay: 1 to 3 weeks depending on borough
- Season: April to November — frost depth makes winter impractical
Your side
What you prepare for us
- Available reports, camera inspections or municipal notices
- Explain when the problem happens
- Prepare access to basement, meter or cleanouts when needed
Our rules
What we will never do
- Dig without a valid municipal permit
- Replace without a prior camera inspection of the real condition
- Connect without laser-verifying slope
- Backfill without a leak test
The result
What you end up with
- Pipe replaced or repaired with slope verified toward the outlet
- Watertight connection compliant with municipal code
- Surface restored (sidewalk, lawn, asphalt or pavers)
- Work documentation handed over for your records and insurance
Frequent questions
Your answers
Sewer backup — is it the city's problem or mine?
From your basement floor drain to the property line, your responsibility. From the property line to the main sewer under the street, usually the city (confirm with your borough). A camera inspection tells exactly where the problem is.
Do I need a permit?
Yes — touching a sewer or water service connection requires a municipal permit. We usually file it on your behalf. Allow 1 to 3 weeks before work can start.
How much does a camera inspection cost?
A camera inspection by a specialized subcontractor varies by length, but it's almost always cheaper than digging blind. We can coordinate with a partner or recommend a specialist.
My water entry is lead — is it dangerous?
Lead pipes are a known health risk. If your house was built before 1970, it's possible. Several cities (including Montreal) have subsidized replacement programs — we check eligibility before the work.
Do you reconnect the French drain at the same time?
If the French drain drains into the storm sewer connection, yes — it's the ideal moment to re-check the connection. Our A1+ tier covers both jobs together to save a second excavation.
What is the warranty?
Guaranteed against installation defects. New pipes in the ground last 50+ years if properly installed. Warranty on connections and watertightness is stated in the quote. RBQ 5825-9060-01.
See also
Other A1 methods
Excavation
For an addition, pool, shed or garage, excavation usually takes 1 to 5 working days depending on depth and yard access. The golden rule: confirm buried services and soil stability before the first bucket-load.
Read the guide
French drain
If you see humidity, cracks or white stains on your basement walls, the French drain around your foundation has probably stopped draining water properly. Replacing it usually takes 3 to 7 working days, depending on yard access.
Read the guideYour next step