01Draw the property water map before choosing components
Sketch the wall, slopes, roof leaders, paved areas, irrigation zones, swales, low points and visible outlets. Add arrows only where flow has been observed during rain, snowmelt or irrigation. Record dates and approximate weather conditions. A water map should show where water arrives, crosses the wall area, ponds and leaves; it should not invent unseen pipes or imply that one observation represents every seasonal condition.
- Observed flow directions and dates
- Hard surfaces and irrigation sources
- Wall toe, crest and downstream areas
02Separate surface drainage from hidden drainage
Create two layers in the project record. The first shows observable grade, runoff, ponding, staining, erosion and outlet discharge. The second lists pipes, drain rock, filter fabric, waterproofing or collection systems confirmed by drawings, product records or qualified investigation. Mark suspected components as unknown. This distinction prevents a proposal from treating an unverified drain as available infrastructure or assuming a blocked outlet is the only possible cause of moisture.
- Observed surface evidence
- Confirmed buried components
- Unknown routes kept unresolved
03Trace every proposed route to a discharge point
A drainage proposal should explain how water is intercepted, filtered, conveyed and discharged, including overflow behaviour when the primary path is exceeded or obstructed. Identify the exact outlet location and whether discharge could erode a slope, affect a neighbour, cross a property line or reach public space. Municipal and professional review may be needed to confirm an acceptable route. Avoid language promising a wall will remain dry under every future condition.
- Collection zone to final outlet
- Overflow and blockage response
- Downstream erosion and property effects
04Coordinate drainage with wall and soil design
Water-management details cannot be separated from retained soil, wall geometry, reinforcement, foundation, slope and nearby loads. Ask who is responsible for coordinating those inputs and what drawings or calculations define the accepted system. The Engineers and Geoscientists BC retaining wall guideline is directed to engineering professionals and discusses retaining wall design practice; it does not replace a project-specific assessment of a West Kelowna property.
- Named design and coordination roles
- Accepted drawing revision
- Assumptions that require field confirmation
05Document erosion, sediment and changing grades
Photograph scour, sediment deposits, voids, displaced surface material, exposed roots, new channels and vegetation changes with safe reference points. Note landscaping, paving or grading work that may have changed surface flow, but do not claim causation without appropriate evidence. Compare conditions after representative weather events. If erosion affects access or suggests material loss near a wall, keep the area clear and obtain qualified direction before probing or excavating.
- Repeatable erosion photographs
- Recent site-work chronology
- Safe escalation when material is being lost
06Specify construction evidence before backfill
List the drainage elements that require product data, dimensions, photographs, field review or testing before they are concealed. Index filter layers, drain rock, pipes, cleanouts, outlets, waterproofing interfaces, surface grading and erosion protection by wall segment and elevation. Record substitutions in writing and link them to the accepted design. Without a planned evidence schedule, the most important drainage components can disappear from the project record when backfill is placed.
- Photographs before concealment
- Outlet and cleanout locations
- Reviewed substitutions tied to drawings
07Create an inspection and maintenance record
At closeout, reconcile the proposed drainage scheme with evidence of what was installed. Record visible outlet locations, access points, surface grades, maintenance tasks and the party responsible for future inspection. Preserve limitations, such as inaccessible buried routes or downstream conditions outside the project. The record should support future upkeep and investigation without representing that the drainage system guarantees wall performance or eliminates the effect of exceptional weather and later property changes.
- As-built route and access information
- Maintenance frequency from accepted documents
- Outstanding limitations retained