What to check around a Richmond home
Check 1
Check every surface inlet
Clear debris from private drainage grates, catch basins, gutters, and downspouts where safe. Photograph water levels before changing anything so a contractor can see which route was restricted.
Check 2
Review grading near the house
The City advises owners to identify ground sloping toward the home and direct water toward proper drains or ditches. Any regrading plan should avoid sending water to adjacent property.
Check 3
Plan for extreme rain
Ask how a sump, drain, or exterior system behaves when the municipal system is under pressure, the power fails, or the outlet is temporarily submerged or restricted.
Local drainage and permit context
Richmond advises owners to keep drainage paths clear and notes that intense rain can temporarily pressure the wider system. Public-road flooding can be reported to the City; private seepage still needs a source-specific assessment.
Municipal guidance changes and a rule for new construction may not apply to a maintenance repair. Confirm the address, scope, permits, and inspections directly with the municipality before work begins.
Official Richmond references
Use these municipal sources to verify drainage, flood, and permit questions. Wet Basement Repair BC is an independent research directory and is not affiliated with the municipality.
Repair approaches to compare
The right scope should follow the diagnosed source. Compare proposals by the water path they address, the drainage outlet they rely on, required inspections, restoration exclusions, maintenance, and written warranty terms.
Wet basement repair
A problem-first repair path that starts with the water entry mechanism instead of jumping straight to a single product or method.
Basement waterproofing
A broad term for controlling recurring water intrusion with interior, exterior, or combined drainage and sealing methods.
Foundation crack repair
Focused repair for leaking or stable foundation cracks, with the method chosen according to whether the crack is only leaking or also moving.
Exterior foundation waterproofing
Excavation-based waterproofing that stops water before it reaches the wall by rebuilding the foundation’s outside protection layer.
Interior drainage systems
A perimeter collection system that catches seepage inside the basement and moves it to a sump or discharge point.
Crawlspace encapsulation
A moisture-control approach for crawlspaces that combines sealing, drainage, and humidity management instead of leaving the space open to soil moisture.