Every fall the same thing happens across the Lower Mainland. The rain returns, the low corner of the lawn turns into a pond, and homeowners start wondering whether to call someone now or wait until spring. The honest answer is: it depends on the problem, but you should almost always start now.
Why fall and winter are the best time to diagnose
Drainage problems hide in summer. In August even a terrible yard looks fine. Right now, during and just after a heavy rain, you can see exactly:
- Where water pools, and how long it sits
- Which way water flows across the yard
- Whether downspouts are dumping water next to the foundation
- Whether water is coming from a neighbour's yard or a slope above
- Whether the ground stays soggy for days, which points to clay soil or a high water table
A landscaper who sees your yard in the wet can give a far better diagnosis and quote than one who sees it dry in June. Take photos and short videos during the next big storm. They're gold when you ask for quotes.
Fix now: urgent problems
Don't wait for spring if:
- Water is running toward or pooling against the house. Months of water against the foundation can lead to basement leaks and much bigger repair bills.
- Water is getting into the basement or crawlspace. Talk to a drainage contractor right away.
- A retaining wall is bulging, leaning or cracking. Winter water pressure behind a failing wall makes it worse.
- Water is flowing onto a neighbour's property or the sidewalk and causing ice or damage.
Fix now: quick, low-mess jobs
Some fixes work fine in wet weather and make an immediate difference:
- Downspout extensions that carry roof water well away from the house. Often $600 to $2,000 for a few downspouts, and done in a day.
- Clearing gutters, drains and catch basins that are blocked with leaves.
- Small rock pits at a downspout outlet, where the site allows.
Wait for spring: big digs
Larger jobs are usually better done between late spring and early fall:
- French drains across the yard
- Regrading and reseeding a backyard
- Full perimeter drainage around the house
Wet clay is slow, messy and hard on lawns. Digging it in winter can rut the yard and leave you with a muddy mess until summer. In drier months the work goes faster, and new sod or seed actually grows in. See what a French drain costs for typical prices.
The smart plan: get quotes now, book for spring
Good drainage landscapers fill their spring calendars over the winter. If you get quotes in the fall while the problem is visible, you can:
- Do any urgent or quick fixes now
- Compare quotes for the bigger job without rushing
- Book an early spring start before the busy season fills up
Not sure what's causing it?
Our guide to why valley lawns stay soggy all winter explains the usual causes, from clay soil to compacted fill.
Want a drainage pro to look at it while it's wet? Send one request and compare up to three quotes from drainage landscapers in Surrey, Langley, Chilliwack and across the Lower Mainland.