Find the water path
Map grading, gutters, low windows, cracks, drains, sumps and backup points.
Water resilience
Keep water out — and limit damage if it gets in
Start with where water comes from: surface, sewer, groundwater, roof or plumbing.
Important: If water reaches or threatens electrical equipment, do not enter a hazardous area; follow public-authority guidance.
Permanent protection
Fix grades and outlets; add pump, alarm, backup, backwater protection or waterproofing based on cause.
Resilient materials
Use assemblies that can dry, be inspected or be replaced locally in risk areas.
After water or fire loss
Separate documentation, drying, contamination, structure, electrical, soot/odour and reconstruction.
Intervention level
Green — homeowner
- Clean gutters/outlets
- Test pump and alarm
- Raise sensitive storage
Yellow — caution
- Add pump backup
- Evaluate backwater/drainage
- Choose recoverable finishes
Red — professional / stop
- Water near electrical
- Foundation movement
- Sewage backup
Official sources
Related path
Continue with the right tools
These links connect this page to the next useful checks and decisions without repeating the full content.
Start from a symptomOrganize plausible causes, observations, urgency and the right professional.Open →Track water useCompare meter readings and flag unusual changes.Open →Review water resilienceConnect flooding, drainage and future events to building adaptations.Open →Score home resiliencePrioritize water, outages, fire, climate, health and records.Open →Plan site, drainage and utilitiesCoordinate access, water, sewer, wells, septic, grading and site constraints.Open →
Tools related to this issue
Manage the project through closeout
Explore: Edge systems to integrate into the project
Edge systems to integrate into the project
This section covers interfaces that become important when multiple home systems interact.
Explore: Legacy conditions and resilience systems
Legacy conditions and resilience systems
Check these before enclosing, excavating, modernizing or automating an existing system.
Explore: Advanced systems and special cases
Advanced systems and special cases
Checks that change sequencing, risk or which professionals must be coordinated.
Explore: Deep retrofit and envelope interfaces
Deep retrofit and envelope interfaces
Measure, sequence, drain, dry and verify interfaces before concealing work.
Explore: Often-overlooked service interfaces
Often-overlooked service interfaces
This section connects systems that cross utility, plumbing, HVAC, envelope and metering boundaries.
Explore: Post-disaster and legacy systems
Post-disaster and legacy systems
This section connects contamination, storm damage, legacy materials and recommissioning before rebuilding.
Explore: Invisible constraints before work
Invisible constraints before work
This section checks electrical, legal, environmental and climate constraints that can block a project before demolition starts.
Explore: Before finalizing the project
Before finalizing the project
This section checks that can change drawings, permits, construction methods or structure.
- Professional plans: architect, engineer or other designer?
- Permit closeout, final inspection and occupancy
- Variance, design review and discretionary planning approval
- Temporary construction heating and drying
- Hot work, permits and fire watch
- Infrared thermography and moisture mapping
- Well yield, recovery and storage
- Snow drift at additions and roof steps
- Balloon framing and continuous cavities in old homes
- Wetlands and watercourses before construction
Explore: V45 decisions to verify before locking in the work
V45 decisions to verify before locking in the work
Explore: V47 interfaces not to miss
V47 interfaces not to miss
These details are small on a drawing but can control water, structure or durability.