Drainage Contractors in Burnaby
On a sloped Burnaby lot, water moves across the surface and through the soil faster than on flat ground and collects against the downhill foundation wall. From Capitol Hill to the properties stepping up toward Burnaby Mountain, the work here is about managing that slope — surface grading, intercept drains uphill of the house, and a perimeter drain that can handle the volume. We repair and replace perimeter drains and solve the yard drainage problems that come with hillside properties.
Drainage on sloped Burnaby properties
On a slope, surface water runs toward the downhill side of the house and can pool against the foundation wall if the grading does not direct it away. Subsurface water moves through the soil downhill and hits the foundation the same way. The fix is usually a combination of surface grading or a swale to direct surface water around the house, and a perimeter drain at the footing to relieve the subsurface pressure. On steeper slopes, an intercept drain (a French drain) uphill of the house can capture water before it reaches the foundation.
A mix of older and newer homes
Burnaby has postwar ranchers and split-levels, 1970s and 1980s construction, and significant newer infill and redevelopment. The older homes have the same perimeter drain aging issues as the rest of Metro Vancouver — clay tile and early corrugated pipe reaching end of life. The newer construction usually has modern perimeter drainage, but the sloped sites can still have surface and yard drainage problems that were not fully addressed during the build.
Basement waterproofing, wet basement repairs & drain inspections in Burnaby
Water in a basement is rarely just one problem. It can be a failed perimeter drain letting groundwater in at the footing, a crack in the foundation wall, or a waterproofing membrane that has broken down over decades. We start with a drain camera inspection to see what is happening inside the pipe, then determine whether the fix is a wet basement repair, basement waterproofing with an exterior membrane and drainage board, or damp proofing of the foundation wall to stop moisture wicking through the concrete. For older Burnaby homes with original drainage, the answer is often a combination of drain repair and waterproofing — and we show you the camera footage before recommending anything.
How a drainage system protects your Burnaby home
Most people never think about their drainage system until it stops working. Here is what a complete system looks like — and where water goes when everything is doing its job.
Rain on roof
Gutters collect it
Downspout
Carries it down
Membrane
Protects the wall
Drain rock
Filters the water
Perimeter drain
Collects groundwater
To sump/storm
Discharged safely
A working drainage system moves water off the roof, away from the foundation wall, and out to a safe discharge point — before it can build up against your foundation.
Before & after — Burnaby drainage work
The kind of results we get on the jobs we do every week across Burnaby.
Before
AfterA wet basement with water at the floor joint — the original perimeter drain had collapsed. We replaced the system and it's been dry through every storm since.
Before
AfterA soggy yard where the downspout dumped onto the lawn. We tied the downspout underground, ran a French drain along the foundation, and the yard dried out within a week.
Drainage services in Burnaby
These are the services we are most often called for in Burnaby. Each links to a page with more detail on what is involved.
Perimeter Drainage
Learn moreWet Basement Repairs
Learn moreBasement Waterproofing
Learn moreYard Drainage
Learn moreFrench Drains
Learn moreFoundation Drainage
Learn moreDrain Camera Inspection
Learn moreSump Pumps
Learn moreBurnaby drainage services — detailed pages
For each of the services below, we have a dedicated Burnaby page covering what the work involves, what the local conditions mean for that service, and answers to common questions from homeowners in Burnaby.
Drain Tile Repair in Burnaby
Read moreDrain Tile Replacement in Burnaby
Read moreDrain Tile Cleaning in Burnaby
Read moreDrain Inspection in Burnaby
Read moreWet Basement Repair in Burnaby
Read moreFoundation Waterproofing in Burnaby
Read moreBasement Leak Repair in Burnaby
Read moreBurnaby drainage FAQs
Water runs down the slope toward my Burnaby house. What can I do?
An intercept drain (a French drain) placed uphill of the house can capture surface and shallow subsurface water before it reaches the foundation, and carry it around the house to a safe outlet. Combined with grading that directs the remaining surface water away, this is the standard fix for sloped properties.
My basement is wet only on the downhill side. Is that the perimeter drain?
Often yes — water builds up against the downhill foundation wall because the perimeter drain cannot keep up or has failed there. A camera inspection confirms whether the drain is the cause and whether a targeted repair or a fuller replacement is needed.
Areas we serve around Burnaby
Request Drainage Service
Tell us what is happening and where. We will call you back the same business day to discuss the problem and arrange an inspection if needed.