Can You Build a Patio or Retaining Wall in Winter in the Lower Mainland?
Hardscaping doesn't have to stop in November. Here's what works in a Lower Mainland winter, what doesn't, and why it's a good time to book.
Short answer: usually yes. We're Adam and Ben, and we build patios and walls out of South Surrey all year. A Lower Mainland winter is wet far more often than it's frozen, so rain is what we plan around, not snow.
What works in winter
Excavation, base work, paver laying and block walls can all carry on through most of the winter here. Crushed gravel drains well and compacts well, which is why a properly built base handles wet weather better than the native soil underneath it.
Rock and gravel can be placed in light rain. Block walls go up course by course, with drain rock and perforated pipe behind them, and that work doesn't need a dry week to get done.
What has to wait for the right day
Some steps are weather-dependent, and a good contractor will tell you which ones.
Saturated subgrade. If the soil at the bottom of the dig has turned to soup, we stop and deal with it instead of building on top of it.
Frozen ground. We don't compact or build on frozen material. Cold snaps here are usually short, so this tends to cost days, not weeks.
Polymeric joint sand. It needs dry pavers and a dry forecast to set properly. On a winter job we may finish the patio and come back on a dry day to do the joints.
Mortar and concrete. These need protection or a warmer day when temperatures drop close to freezing.
Sod and planting. These are better left for spring in most cases.
Why winter is a good time to do this
You can see the water. If your yard has a drainage problem, November is when it shows up. Standing water, soggy corners and runoff toward the house are all easy to see, and that makes the drainage plan better than one drawn up in a dry August.
The schedule is easier too. Spring fills up quickly. Starting a patio or wall over the winter means the mess is gone and the yard is ready when you actually want to use it.
One thing to be clear about: we don't discount winter work. A wall built in January gets the same base, the same drainage and the same 1-year workmanship warranty as one built in June. What you get is a better shot at the dates you want.
What to expect on a winter job
Expect the schedule to move around the forecast. We'll tell you when a day is a no-go and why. Expect some mud on the access route as well, which we protect against where we can and clean up before we leave.
If you're thinking about a patio, driveway, wall or drainage fix for next year, now is a good time to get it on the calendar. The site visit and written quote are free.
