Sewer & Water main excavation — Montreal, Laval & the Laurentians
Installation, replacement, or repair of a sewer or water main: our teams carry out excavation work using appropriate machinery, following industry best practices and current municipal standards — from camera diagnostics down to backfilling.
Sewers and water mains: pipes that tolerate no compromise
Sewer and water lines are the vital arteries of your property: the sewer evacuates wastewater to the municipal network, while the water main brings drinking water to the residence. When one of these pipes needs to be installed, repaired, or replaced, excavation is inevitable — a trench must be opened to access existing pipes or lay new ones. This type of work requires specialized machinery, solid technical expertise, and strict compliance with municipal standards. Drain MPR has been performing this work since 2003 across the Montreal, Laval and Laurentians regions, from camera diagnostics to site restoration.
The excavation work we perform
New connections, complete replacements, or targeted repairs: Drain MPR has the expertise and equipment for every situation, for both sewers and water mains.
New installation
For new construction or adding a connection, we excavate and lay sanitary sewer, storm sewer, or water main pipes according to approved plans. Installation, connection to the municipal network, validating camera inspection, and complete backfilling.
COMPLETE REPLACEMENT
When a pipe is too old, too damaged, or incompatible with current standards, complete replacement is the durable solution. We excavate, remove the old pipe, and install the new one — for both sewer connections and water mains.
Targeted Repair
When a camera inspection reveals a localized issue — a break, a disjointed joint, a significant crack — we perform a targeted excavation to repair only the affected section. An approach that reduces the scale and duration of the work.
Water main — connection & replacement
Lead or galvanized water mains (in homes built before 1980) are best replaced for health and performance reasons. We handle the replacement of the water service connection between the street and the house, in accordance with municipal requirements.
Signs that excavation may be mecessary
These symptoms point to a serious problem in your underground pipes. A camera inspection then confirms whether excavation is truly required.
Unexplained Infiltrations
Water entering the basement despite a French drain in good condition can signal a nearby sewer pipe break.
Recurrent Backups
A sewer that backs up regularly despite unclogging often indicates a sagging or fractured main pipe, which is inaccessible via hydrojetting.
Abnormally Damp Area
A section of lawn that is unusually green and soggy compared to the rest of the terrain can reveal an underground sewer or water leak.
Persistent Sewer Odors
Odors rising from the ground around the house, even without backflow, can indicate a fracture or an open joint in the pipe.
Lead or Galvanized Piping
Homes built before the 1970s–1980s may have lead pipes (water main) or cracked concrete (sewer) that justify preventive replacement.
Abnormally Low Water Pressure
A sudden and unexplained drop in pressure throughout the house can indicate a leak or break on the water main between the street and the home.
Our excavation process
Each project follows a rigorous protocol to limit disturbances and guarantee a lasting result.
Camera Diagnostics
Before opening the ground, we inspect the pipe via camera to confirm the nature and exact location of the problem.
Get a Quote
We provide a detailed quote — pricing is communicated before work begins.
Excavation & Intervention
Our teams dig the trench with precision, then install or replace the pipes according to current standards.
Inspection & Validation
A post-work camera inspection confirms installation quality and proper drainage before final backfilling.
Backfilling & Restoration
Backfilling in compacted layers, site restoration, and handover of work documents for your records.
Standards and commitments on every job site
In Quebec, underground plumbing work — the installation and replacement of sewer and water mains — must be performed by a contractor holding a valid RBQ license. Drain MPR holds RBQ license 8310-1840 and is a member of the CMMTQ.
- 1
Pre-Excavation Diagnostics
We always confirm the problem via camera inspection before opening the ground. Excavation is undertaken because it is necessary, not by default.
- 2
Compliance with Standards
Frost depth, approved materials, drainage slopes: every detail complies with municipal and provincial requirements.
- 3
Clean & Respectful Job Site
We protect your property, limit disturbances to adjacent surfaces, and restore the site upon completion of the work.
- 4
Upfront Clear Pricing
Detailed quote with pricing communicated before work starts. The agreed price is the invoiced price, unless an unforeseen discovery is documented and discussed with you.
Excavation services throughout Montreal, Laval & the Laurentians
Locally based, Drain MPR performs sewer and water main excavation work in the following municipalities
FAQ — Sewer & Water Main Excavation
When is excavation necessary for sewer or water mains?
Is a permit required for sewer or water main excavation?
How long does a sewer replacement excavation take?
What is the difference between sewer and water main work?
Can a single pipe section be repaired without replacing everything?
Does my insurance cover excavation work?
Additional services
Excavation is part of an overall diagnostic and repair process for your drainage system. Drain MPR takes care of every step.
Do you need an excavation for a sewer or water main?
Our teams operate in Montreal, Laval, and the Laurentians, handling everything from diagnostics to backfilling. Free estimates, work compliant with municipal standards — or call us directly.
