Does My Home in BC Have a Perimeter Drainage System?

The answer to the question in the title of today’s blog article is “probably.” The answer depends on the age of your home. Before 1973, building codes were not set by the province, but fell under local bylaws. So, if your home is more than 50 years old, whether or not you have a perimeter drainage system depends on where it is and what local bylaws were in place. 

Similarly, a national building code did come into effect until 1941. This is not to say that buildings were not built well beforehand. There have been different types of building codes for thousands of years. However, it is much more likely that you have an appropriate perimeter drainage system if your home is less than 50 years old. Of course, having a perimeter drainage system and having an effective perimeter drainage system are two different questions. 

Does my perimeter drainage system have a problem? 

If you are wondering how to identify a problem with a perimeter drainage system, there are a few indicators. One is pooling water close to the house. This is a dead giveaway that water is not draining away from the foundation as it should. 

The second main indicator is water in your basement or crawlspace. This is very often—but not always—a problem with the perimeter drainage system which may be faulty or need repair. 

We are experts at leaks caused by perimeter drainage systems. If you are seeing water in your basement or elsewhere inside or outside where it should not be, please call us on the Lower Mainland at (604) 349-5325. This is our area of expertise, and we can diagnose and fix the problem for you. 

604FixLeak offers leak detection, plumbing repairs and restoration services in the Greater Vancouver area. 

If you have any questions about this article or need some help with a leak in your home or office, call us today at (604) 349-5325.