There’s no better time to be living in the lower mainland. Except, of course, 3 months from now. But February is where we’re at and February is what we’re going to celebrate! The days are getting longer and the birds are starting to chirp, which means spring rain showers are just around the corner. Melt from higher up in the mountains is slowly being dislodged. Do you know where it’s headed?

That’s right – North Vancouver.

That means that all your grand plans for a beautiful summer garden filled with flowers and plants depend on your ability to direct the flow of the spring’s rain showers away from your home. 

Don’t believe us?

“Soggy, uneven ground can spell doom for lawns and plants; saturated roots lose oxygen and plants suffocate. When the runoff is finished wreaking havoc outdoors, it often heads for your cellar next, running in through cracks or leaks in the foundation, where it can warp floorboards, rust appliances and turn finished rooms into mildewed messes.”

That’s Caitlin O’Neil with This Old House. For Caitlin and drainage experts (like us!), spring is about more than just the warming earth, it’s about preparing for the season to come. We want your lawn and your basement to have just the right amount of moisture this spring, which means your lawn should have sufficient moisture while your yard has none. We also want you to take care of it without spending your entire summer bbq budget.

1. Proper Grading 

The easiest way to conquer your home’s drainage issues is to allow gravity to do its job. Gravity can be your best friend or your worst enemy, but thankfully you’re in charge. Now, if your home was built prior to the 1980’s, chances are the grading wasn’t done to today’s codes, or the soil could have shifted over the years. If you’ve got a divot or impression where the outside of your home connects with the ground, that means there’s a much larger problem beneath the surface. Grab a shovel and build a slope leading down and away from your foundation. Go buy soil if you have to, but don’t wait until it starts pouring. That won’t be fun.

2. Clean Gutters

There’s nothing like a spring storm in the lower mainland, because it’s usually preceded by a couple days of constant rain. When sudden bursts of spring rain falls on your house, it pushes gutters and downspouts to capacity. All that water falling in a short span is a lot to handle, and the problem is compounded when gutters are blocked by leaves, silt or dirt that flows off your roof. This can result in overflowing gutters that dump water in places you’d rather water not be dumped. Clean out your gutters, folks!

3. Fix Downspout Low-Spots 

Some resources say you should be directing water at least ten feet away from the base of your foundation, some say three, but either way the rule exists for a reason. Water flowing through a downspout packs a punch, so it’s not enough just to get it off your roof, you need to get it away from your house. Subsurface drainage is a real problem in North Vancouver where large deposits of clay rest below ground, so it’s best to use elongated elbow attachments or splash blocks to start the flow of water as far away from your home as possible. 

We believe in routine maintenance and checks on your property. This way you’ll save money and steer clear of unwanted surprises. 

That being said, if you have unique problems or you just need a hand, give us a call.