Question 1

What keeps bringing moss back to my Vancouver roof every winter?

Accepted Answer

Moss keeps coming back to your Vancouver roof because the conditions that caused it in the first place never went away. Removing moss without addressing the root causes is like bailing a boat without plugging the hole — it'll be back within a season or two.

Vancouver's climate is essentially a moss paradise. With 1,200mm+ of annual rainfall concentrated between October and March, extended periods of overcast skies, and mild temperatures that rarely dip low enough to kill organic growth, your ro

Question 2

Water ponds on my flat roof after Vancouver rain, should I be worried?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you should pay attention to this — but whether it's an emergency depends on how long the water sits and how deep it pools. Some temporary ponding after heavy rain is normal on flat roofs, but water that remains for more than 48 hours after rain stops is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Flat roofs in Vancouver aren't actually flat — they're designed with a minimum slope of 1:50 (roughly 2%) under the BC Building Code to encourage drainage. If water is pooling, it usually means one of t

Question 3

What happens if a Vancouver oil tank is found?

Accepted Answer

Finding an oil tank on your Vancouver property triggers a specific regulatory and remediation process — and it's something you need to take seriously, as it can affect your property value, your ability to sell, and your liability for environmental cleanup.

Oil tanks were commonly installed in Metro Vancouver homes built between the 1920s and 1970s, when heating oil was the standard fuel source. Many were abandoned in place when homeowners switched to natural gas, and thousands remain buried acr

Question 4

Why do Vancouver inspections get delayed?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver building permit inspections get delayed for a combination of reasons — high application volumes, staffing constraints, and the complexity of projects in one of Canada's most active construction markets.

The City of Vancouver's Development, Buildings and Licensing (DBL) department handles thousands of permit applications and inspection requests annually. Vancouver's construction boom — driven by multiplexes, laneway homes, secondary suites, and major renovations — has put serious press

Question 5

How do I stop my hardwood floors cupping every Vancouver rainy season?

Accepted Answer

Hardwood floor cupping in Vancouver is almost always a moisture problem — specifically, the bottom of your boards absorbing more moisture than the top, causing the edges to rise higher than the centre. The good news is it's very manageable once you identify and control the moisture source.

Cupping happens when there's a moisture imbalance through the thickness of the board. In Vancouver's rainy season (October through March), relative humidity indoors can swing dramatically — especially in olde

Question 6

Why does my kitchen exhaust fan push air back into the house when it's windy?

Accepted Answer

Your kitchen exhaust fan is likely experiencing backdraft due to inadequate exterior termination or competing air pressures during windy conditions. This is a common issue in Metro Vancouver homes, especially during our frequent winter storms and strong Pacific weather systems.

When wind hits your home's exterior, it creates pressure differentials that can overpower your exhaust fan's ability to push air out. The most common culprit is a missing or inadequate backdraft damper at the exterior wa

Question 7

Why is water pooling under my new deck instead of draining properly?

Accepted Answer

Water pooling under your new deck is typically caused by inadequate slope, poor drainage design, or improper grading during construction. This is a common issue in Metro Vancouver's wet climate and needs to be addressed quickly to prevent moisture damage, rot, and foundation problems.

The most likely culprit is insufficient slope away from your house. The ground under and around your deck should slope at least 1/4 inch per foot (2% grade) away from your foundation. Many contractors focus on the

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