Annual Drainage Maintenance - What's Proven To Help?
Final Thoughts
Living in the Lower Mainland means dealing with a lot of rain, heavy snow (at least once!), and moisture. By ensuring you are checking on your system for signs of overwhelm, you're taking the fear out of heavy rain by being informed.
Neglecting your drainage system could lead to preventable mediation and increased insurance claims. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your drainage system is in tip-top shape is invaluable. It’s a small effort for a long-lasting benefit that will keep your home safe, dry, and protected for years to come. We are always here to help, answer your questions and show you the options on how to improve your situation.
See blow a photo of a recently installed and sealed sump to ensure it was the correct size for the property and connected to the appropriate channels to exit the system and a recently installed drain for a backyard that was often soggy, unable to grow grass and at risk of flooding the foundation.
The Importance of Annual Drainage Maintenance in the Lower Mainland
As a property owner in British Columbia, your drainage systems may be overlooked as an essential service as you prepare for fall's rainy seasons.
Adding some quick steps to your seasonal wrap up routine will help when the heavy rainfall begins
- Address symptoms of blockages or breaks in the perimeter drain tile system which can lead to damage.
- Understand your drainage system to catch any signs of a problem
Your drainage system is designed to redirect water away from your home. Whether it’s groundwater, snowmelt or the waste water, an effective drainage system is bringing everything away from your house through grade and pipe. It's main job is to keep excess water from accumulating around your foundation. Leaving water standing anywhere near your home could lead to serious structural issues including hydrostatic pressure.
Why Annual Drainage Maintenance is Essential (and most cost efficient)
1. Prevent Emergency Water Damage
Insurance is expensive enough, one of the immediate and costly risks to your home is water damage. This is always well communicated, but it cannot always be seen.
Blockages or deteriorating drains can cause water to pool around your foundation, seep into your basement, or flood your yard making it unusable or marshy. Over time, this moisture can weaken structural integrity, promote mold growth, and cause foundation cracks.
System inspections show the condition of your pipes and drains through CCTV camera, to ensure they are clear of debris such as leaves, dirt, or tree roots. It also reveals any weak points or breaks - preventing unexpected flooding when the rain comes down hard.
2. Extending the Lifespan of Your Drainage System - Clean it
Like any other part of your home, your drainage system requires maintenance, keep it clean, keep it tidy!
Without proper care, you might encounter early deterioration. Over time, the materials that make up your drainage system (ideally PVC pipes, but could be clay) can disconnect, crack, or have weak points from installation.
A professional drainage inspection will catch small issues early, saving you the expense of more significant repairs. The lifespan of your drainage system can be extended with just a small investment of time and money annually.
3. Protecting Your Property Value
Issues like water damage or flooding (either past or impending) can reduce the resale value of your property.
A demonstrated track record of your system can prove to potential buyers that you’ve taken proper care of the home, ensuring that they won’t have to deal with major repairs down the road. Keeping your drainage system in top shape adds to your home’s overall appeal, a dry backyard and is a great feature within the Lower Mainland.
What Does Annual Drainage Maintenance Involve?
We provide a thorough and detailed checkup, also detecting unseen and potential issues. Here's what you can typically expect:
Drain Cleaning: Clearing out any blockages caused by leaves, roots, or debris that may be obstructing your drains where you may see pooling.
Sump Maintenance A sump is a sediment collection tank, and knowing it's location is essential. Annual maintenance to ensure it is functioning properly as the place where all your water is directed to before it goes to the city.
Pipe Inspection: A full inspection of the pipes to check for cracks, breaks, or signs of deterioration.
Adding or Repairing Drains, Access and Catch Basins If your system needs some help dealing with excess water adding outlets or catch basins will take some of the pressure off and should be assessed each year.
Camera Inspections: We choose high-tech cameras with demonstrated footage so you can see your system, examine hard-to-reach areas and ensure every inch is functioning properly (and as we describe). You can also make the most informed decision about your system repair needs with visual evidence.
Testing for Flow Efficiency: Checking how water flows through the system, making sure that everything is working as it should. If you have grade issues or soil conditions impacting your system - we will let you know the external factors and recommendations.
Gutter and Downspout Inspections: Gutters and downspouts are often overlooked, but they play a significant role in the drainage system. A yearly inspection will ensure they are clean, clear of debris and aiming at an optimal location to receive your water. If the soil beneath (like clay) is not optimal, you will still experience flooding. We always recommend gravel to support these areas around your home.
