New Drainage Installations for North Vancouver Homes
French drains, yard drainage, foundation drainage, and stormwater management systems designed for Vancouver's heavy rainfall and the North Shore's unique terrain.
Drainage Systems Designed for Your Property
Every property on the North Shore has unique drainage challenges. The combination of steep slopes, heavy clay soils, dense tree canopy, and Greater Vancouver's extraordinary rainfall demands drainage solutions that are engineered specifically for your site conditions.
At Lord Mechanical, we don't install generic, one-size-fits-all drainage. Before we dig, our team assesses your property's topography, soil composition, existing drainage patterns, and the specific water problems you're experiencing. We then design a system that addresses the root cause of your water issues — not just the symptoms.
Whether you're dealing with a flooded backyard, water pooling against your foundation, hillside erosion threatening your home, or stormwater runoff overwhelming your existing infrastructure, we install drainage solutions that perform reliably through Vancouver's wettest storms and stand up to decades of North Shore conditions.
All installations meet BC Building Code requirements and comply with North Vancouver and West Vancouver municipal bylaws. We handle permits, inspections, and all regulatory compliance so you don't have to.
Types of Drainage Systems We Install
French Drains
A gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects subsurface water. Ideal for yards with standing water, areas along retaining walls, and properties where groundwater seeps to the surface. We install French drains at the proper slope with filter fabric to prevent sediment clogging, ensuring reliable water management for decades.
Yard & Surface Drainage
Catch basins, channel drains, and underground piping networks that collect surface water from your yard, driveway, patio, and walkways. These systems prevent pooling and erosion by capturing runoff at strategic points and channeling it to a safe discharge location — the storm sewer, a dry well, or a downslope discharge point.
Foundation Drainage
Comprehensive perimeter drain systems installed at the foundation footing level to prevent water infiltration into your basement or crawl space. Includes waterproofing membrane application, dimple board, perforated pipe in a gravel bed, and connection to the storm sewer or sump system. The gold standard for foundation protection.
Stormwater Management
Comprehensive systems that manage the entire water flow across your property during heavy storms. This may include multiple catch basins, underground pipe networks, detention systems, dry wells, rain gardens, and grading adjustments. Essential for larger properties, hillside homes, and new construction projects on the North Shore.
Hillside & Slope Drainage
Specialized drainage for the steep terrain common across the North Shore — from Deep Cove to the British Properties. Includes interceptor drains, swales, retaining wall drainage, and slope stabilization systems that manage water flow downhill without causing erosion or overwhelming lower areas.
Sump Pump Systems
When gravity drainage isn't possible, a sump pump system collects water in a pit and pumps it to a safe discharge point. We install reliable, high-capacity sump pumps with battery backup systems to protect your home even during power outages — critical during the severe winter storms common on the North Shore.
From Assessment to Completion
Site Assessment & Design
We visit your property to evaluate topography, soil conditions, water flow patterns, and existing drainage infrastructure. Using this data, we design a custom drainage solution tailored to your property's unique characteristics and your specific water management goals.
Estimate & Permits
You receive a detailed written estimate with material specifications, labour breakdown, and project timeline. We handle all permit applications with the City or District of North Vancouver and coordinate any required inspections throughout the project.
Professional Installation
Our experienced crew executes the installation efficiently, following precise grading specifications, BC Building Code requirements, and industry best practices. We protect existing landscaping, structures, and utilities throughout the project and clean up each day.
Testing & Handover
Every drainage system is water-tested to verify proper flow, slope, and capacity. We provide complete documentation including as-built drawings, warranty information, and maintenance recommendations to keep your new system performing at its best.
Drainage Installation FAQ
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from a specific area. Water flows into the gravel, enters the perforated pipe, and is channeled to a safe discharge point. French drains are ideal for eliminating yard flooding, protecting foundations, and managing hillside water runoff — particularly common on the North Shore's sloped terrain.
Signs you need a new drainage installation include persistent standing water in your yard after rain, water pooling against your foundation, erosion on slopes or hillsides, a soggy or unusable lawn, basement or crawl space moisture, and flooding during heavy rainstorms. If your property was built without adequate drainage — common in older North Vancouver homes — a new installation can solve chronic water problems. Contact us for a free assessment.
We install French drains, catch basins with underground piping, channel drains (trench drains), yard drainage systems, foundation perimeter drains, hillside drainage systems, rain garden drainage, dry wells, and complete stormwater management systems. Each installation is engineered for the specific soil conditions, terrain, and water flow patterns of your property.
Most residential drainage installations take 2–5 days depending on the complexity and scope. A simple French drain along one side of a home may take 1–2 days, while a complete foundation drainage system with multiple catch basins and connections to the storm sewer can take 4–5 days. We provide a detailed timeline during your free estimate.
In many cases, yes. The City and District of North Vancouver require building permits for drainage work that connects to the municipal storm sewer, involves significant excavation, or changes the property's grading and water flow patterns. Lord Mechanical handles the entire permit process for you, ensuring all work meets BC building code and municipal requirements.
More Drainage Solutions
Drain Tile Systems
Perimeter drain installation and replacement to protect your foundation.
Learn MoreDrainage Maintenance
Keep your new drainage system running efficiently with preventive care.
Learn MoreReady to Eliminate Water Problems?
Stop fighting standing water, soggy lawns, and foundation moisture. Lord Mechanical designs and installs drainage systems that solve your water problems permanently — built for the North Shore's demanding conditions.