Driveway Drainage & Grading in BC
Standing water destroys asphalt and threatens your foundation — proper grading and drainage solves it permanently.
Why Drainage Is the #1 Factor in Pavement Longevity
Water is asphalt's greatest enemy. When drainage is poor, water infiltrates the pavement structure, softens the granular base, and saturates the subgrade. Once the subgrade loses its load-bearing capacity, the surface begins to crack, sink, and fail — often years before it should.
In BC's Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, this problem is amplified by rainfall. The region receives 1,000 to 1,800mm of rain per year — among the highest in Canada. A driveway without proper drainage is constantly under attack. Standing water on the surface is the visible symptom; the real damage is happening below, where the base is being slowly undermined.
Proper driveway drainage starts with slope. A correctly graded driveway should have a 1–2% grade directing water away from your home and off the pavement surface. Many driveways settle over time, creating low spots and reversing the intended slope — water that should run away from your foundation now runs toward it.
There are two main approaches to drainage correction: surface grading (reshaping the asphalt surface to restore correct slope) and subsurface drainage (installing catch basins or French drains to capture and redirect water underground). Often both are needed.
Drainage work can be done as a standalone repair — regrading an existing driveway or adding a catch basin — or as part of a new paving project. When we pave a new driveway, proper grading is always built into the job. When we're called in to fix an existing drainage problem, we assess the full situation and recommend the most cost-effective solution.
The cost of fixing drainage is almost always less than the cost of replacing a driveway that has failed due to water damage. Addressing drainage early protects your investment and your foundation.
Our Drainage Services Include
- On-site drainage assessment
- Surface grading and re-sloping
- Catch basin installation
- French drain options
- Foundation protection grading
- Combined with paving or standalone repair
- Residential and commercial properties
Free on-site drainage assessment
Drainage Problems We Fix
From standing water to foundation risk — we diagnose and solve the full range of driveway drainage issues.
Standing Water on Driveway
Low spots that pool after rain, indicating incorrect grading or settled areas that need reshaping.
Water Running Toward Foundation
Incorrect slope directing water at your home — a serious risk to your foundation and basement.
Soft Spots & Sinking
Saturated base causing surface failure — the pavement feels soft underfoot or shows depressions.
Edge Erosion
Water running off the edge and eroding the shoulder, causing the pavement edge to crack and break away.
Our Drainage & Grading Process
A systematic approach to diagnosing and permanently solving drainage problems.
Site Assessment
We walk the site and identify water flow patterns, low spots, drainage failure points, and any risk to your foundation. We assess both surface and subsurface conditions.
Grading Plan
We design the correct slope and drainage path — typically 1–2% grade away from structures — and determine whether surface regrading, catch basins, French drains, or a combination is needed.
Grading & Reshaping
We regrade the surface to the correct slope, install subsurface drainage infrastructure as needed, and ensure all water flows away from your home and off the pavement.
Verification
Before we leave, we confirm water flows correctly across the entire surface. We walk through the drainage path with you and ensure the problem is fully resolved.
Drainage Solutions Across BC
We serve the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley — from Chilliwack to Vancouver.
Drainage & Grading — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about driveway drainage in BC.
Standing Water Is Damaging Your Driveway.
Fix it before it gets worse. Proper grading and drainage solutions across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley — free on-site assessment.