Homeowner's Guide to Property Care & Structural Health
Drainage, rockwalls & masonry in coastal BC — what the climate does to your property, what you can safely fix yourself, and exactly when to call us.
Built on wet, moving ground.
Atmospheric rivers can drop a month of rain in days. Extreme soil saturation overloads perimeter drains, backs water up against foundations, and turns stable ground into moving ground.
Pacific Northwest topography means many homes sit on or below grade changes. Saturated slopes erode, and hydrostatic pressure builds silently against foundations and retaining walls until something gives.
Clay holds water; glacial till drains unevenly. When seasonal frost hits saturated soil, it expands — heaving slabs, widening mortar joints, and shifting rock walls a little more every winter.
The seasonal checklist.
- Walk the property after the last freeze — look for new cracks, heaved pavers and shifted rocks from freeze-thaw cycles.
- Clear winter debris from perimeter drains, catch basins and window wells before the spring rains.
- Sight down rock and retaining walls: any new lean, bulge or soil pushing through joints since fall?
- Check crawlspaces and basements for dampness left behind by winter saturation.
Know your three weak points.
- Water pooling near the foundation after rain
- Slow perimeter drains or gurgling downspouts
- Wet or musty crawlspaces
- Soil erosion channels across lawns or beds
- Clear grates, catch basins and window wells of debris
- Extend downspouts a minimum of 5–10 ft from the house
- Keep surface trenches and swales clear of leaves and silt
When to call us.
Match what you're seeing to a tier. When in doubt, send us a photo — assessments are free.
- Minor cosmetic hair-line cracks (under 1/16")
- Surface leaf clogs in grates and gutters
- Downspout splash blocks needing extension
- Surface pooling still present 24 hours after rain
- Wall leaning more than 2 inches off vertical
- Cracking mortar with minor water seepage
- Standing water invading crawlspace or basement
- Active wall movement or soil collapse
- Structural foundation cracks wider than 1/4"
- Severe hydrostatic bulging on retaining walls
Upload a picture of the crack, wall or wet spot — our AI gives you an instant severity read. Free, no contact info needed.
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