Managing your homes surface water

How much water?

Annually, the Canadian prairies and central British Columbia receive approximately 14 inches (355mm) of rain between the months of May to October.
On a typical 40’ x 110’ lot, this would produce approximately 31,900 gallons (144,800 liters) of water. That’s enough to fill approximately 638 average-
sized bathtubs!

A 1/4 inch (6 mm) of rainfall on a typical 40’ x 110’ lot produces 571 gallons (2,596 litres) of water. A 1/4 inch (6 mm) of rainfall on the roof of a 2,000 square foot home creates 260 gallons (1,200 litres) of water.

In the addition to the rain, you must consider the annual spring snow melt and the water used to maintain your lawn and flowerbeds. That’s a lot of water to manage.

Window wells must be kept free of leaves and other debris to ensure water can flow through the drain tile to the weeping tile system.

If required by the municipality, window wells should be installed in accordance with the local building code.

The top of the window well should be a minimum of two inches (50 mm) above finished grade to minimize entry of surface water.

Settlement of ground around the home is a homeowner maintenance requirement. Low spots must be filled after the soil has settled. To fill a low spot, remove the topsoil and fill the low spot with compacted clay, ensuring it slopes away from the foundation. Do not use topsoil to fill a low spot. Once filled with clay, topsoil can be added again.

When clay backfill installed around the perimeter of your home settles, the soil can slope towards the foundation and allow water to drain towards you home. This can cause unwanted leakage into the basement.

During construction, the excavation for your basement typically extends three to four-feet past the foundation walls so the builder can install foundation form work and, if required, weeping tile and crushed rock before it is backfilled. Because the backfill is less compact than the undisturbed soil surrounding the foundation, water is easily trapped in the excavated area next to your foundation.

With regular maintenance, homeowners can minimize the amount of water trapped near the foundation by:

  • Ensuring downspout extensions are clear of debris
  • Filing settlement areas with clay (not topsoil) with a positive slope away from the foundation (10 per cent is recommended).
  • Using caution when watering flowerbeds near the foundation to minimize water pressure next to the foundation.

Eavestroughs and downspouts channel water off the roof and away from the foundation into designed drainage swales. These swales direct water off the lot.

Eavestroughs clogged with debris can cause the water to overflow and become trapped next to your foundation.

If a downspout extension does not direct water away from the foundation, water may collect adjacent to the foundation wall. Downspouts should be positioned to drain into a property line swale or toward the street or back lane.They should not be directed towards a neighbouring home. Downspout extensions should extend beyond the backfilled area (a minimum of four feet).

Downspout extensions should be used year round. Water that collects in the soil adjacent to foundation walls increases the potential for water penetration into the basement. When this water freezes, frost heave can occur and potentially lift decks, driveways and sidewalks. Frost heaves can also cause foundation problems. Extending the downspout into a drain buried in the soil is not recommended.

A Rainwater Leader is a pipe that connects the downspout to the storm drainage system. When it rains or when the snow on your roof melts, the water travels down the downspouts and into the storm system. Rainwater leader installation is determined by the municipality.

Weeping tile installed at the footing is designed to manage subsurface ground water.

Some municipalities do not require the installation of weeping tile systems. Requirements depend on soil composition and the underground water table.

Weeping tile is NOT a primary defense to control surface water. Rather, it assists with the removal of water at the base of the foundation, especially during heavy spring thaws and prolong rains.

Weeping tile reduces the pressure exerted by water standing against the foundation walls and drains water to a sump or storm sewer.

Sump systems (sump pump and pit in the basement area) remove water that accumulates at the footing level around the foundation, or in some instances, from under the basement slab.

As a part of your maintenance program, ensure the sump pump is working, and remember to test it yearly.

If the sump pump runs continuously, it’s possible the water being pumped out is seeping back down against the foundation wall and its simply being recirculated. To avoid this, ensure there is proper surface grade to direct water away from the foundation.

Your system may discharge into the storm system or above grade. Installing a discharge hose will also move the water collected in your sump pump pit further away from your home.

In residential construction, a builder is generally responsible for bringing a lot to the required rough grade elevation outlined in the approved grading plan.
This plan details the surface water drainage patterns and swales required for the lot.

Some municipalities require an approved lot grading certificate. This certificate verifies that proper grading elevations and drainage patterns have been established.

The final grade (topsoil) should not exceed depths of four inches (or as required by the local lot grading bylaw). The final grade should be six inches below all wood surfaces.

Swales are shallow depressions in the rough grade designed to direct surface water runoff away from the home.

Swale drainage should be directed to the nearest street, lane or storm water management lake – not to backfilled areas or a neighbour’s yard.

Each lot must conform to the approved grading plan for directing surface water to municipal streets or swales. Lot-to-lot drainage is generally not permitted.

Swales are usually located along property lines and occasionally at the rear of the lot. Depending on the general slope of the lot, additional drainage swales may be required.

The slope of a swale must be maintained to ensure water movement away from the foundation. Altering the swale should be avoided, as alterations could result in flooding.

Landscaping must maintain the Surface Water Management plan. In the process of final landscaping, do not alter the rough grade of the property. Maintaining the function of the swale is a necessity.

The rough grade design typically allows for approximately four inches of topsoil and sod.

Ideally, flowerbeds should not be placed immediately adjacent to the foundation. Watering may overload the drainage system. Flowerbeds must be designed carefully if placed next to the foundation wall.

If you are adding outdoor elements such as a patio, swimming pool or hot tub, or are altering your home’s elevation for aesthetic purposes, the original drainage plan will not function as designed. Proper drainage away from the home and towards the street or drainage swale must be planned along with these projects to ensure they are satisfactorily retained. Check with local drainage bylaws when making changes to your lot.

  • Careful attention is required in the design, installation and maintenance of your irrigation system. For example:
  • Sprinkler heads should not direct water against the foundation or cladding
  • When avoidable, sprinkler heads should not be placed within the backfill area near the foundation
  • Rain sensors can be added to avoid overwatering
  • Connections to the system should be secure
  • The systems must be serviced regularly to avoid damage to piping (e.g. splits from freezing).
  • You can maintain surface drainage patterns annually by filling depressions and settlements as they occur. (See Settlement section for more details).

Other references:

  • Your local municipality office
    Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Protecting your investment

As a new homeowner, protecting your investment by ensuring you keep up with regular maintenance is as important as having warranty and insurance to preserve your home and stop problems before they occur. It is important for you to know that a defect resulting from improper maintenance is not covered under home warranty.

When you purchase a new home, the lot and grading are the responsibility of the homeowner. Ground settlement and even water entering your home may not be covered if proper grades are not maintained or leaks occur due to the installation of improper landscaping. Refer to the tools available such as this Surface Water Management brochure and our Guide to the Care and Maintenance of Your New Home to keep your new home in top shape.

Seasonal maintenance calendar

Spring

Inspect and make sure all downspouts are in the lowered position and extend at least 4 feet away from the home into a drainage swale or directed away from the home.

Make sure all your drainage systems (sumps, drains,) are working properly and that water drains away from your home. If it does not, take corrective actions immediately.

Check for settlement around hardscaping elements like patios, walkways and all landscaping to ensure good drainage away from the home. Repair to ensure proper slope.

Examine your lot and look for low spots holding water or settlement of soil around the foundation, under decks and porches leading to water running back to toward the home. Repair as required to maintain proper grading away from the home.

Check for leaves, debris and any blockage in gutters, eavestrough, downspouts and rainwater leaders (if applicable).

Remove leaves and debris from window wells.

Summer

Inspect the foundation, basement or crawl space for cracks or abnormal conditions. Minor cracks due to minor settlement
or shrinkage is normal.

Inspect irrigation or sprinklers for leaks and direct all spray heads away from the home’s foundation.

Check for damaged downspouts or leaks in the eavestrough and repair immediately.

Do not allow trees or shrubs to grow near the foundation. Planters or gardens should not be located near the home.

Check for leaks from the hose bib when connected to a garden hose or attachment.

Check all landscaping and outdoor features to ensure good drainage away from the home.

Fall

Check for leaves, debris and any blockage in gutters, eavestrough, downspouts and rainwater leaders (if applicable).

Remove garden hoses and any attachment from the exterior hose bib before freezing temperatures.

Drain and winterize inground sprinkler systems before freezing temperatures.

Remove leaves and debris from window wells.

Winter

Check for ice dams on the overhangs of the roof in freezing or snow conditions.

Do not pile snow against the side of your home.

If adding an outdoor element like an ice-rink, provide for drainage away from the home before it melts in the spring.

Keep downspouts clear from blockage from snow or ice buildup.

Inspect concrete flatwork, asphalt or pavers for signs of frost heaving. These areas will likely require attention in the spring or summer as frost heave is often due to insufficient surface water management or proper grading.