Did you know that the windl in metro Vancouver varies and because of this, it is the associated location, topography, obstruction, type of building, type of overhang, wind speed and direction that matters when analyzing rainfall on your property?  

  

A report by Hug Ge, Ph.D., P. Engineer and Ronald Krpan, P. Engineer from British Columbia Institute of Technology titled: “Wind-driven Rain Study in the Coastal Climate of British Columbia”, studied the effects of rain, wind-driven rain, horizontal rain, its speed and direction,  as well as the overhang on eight different building sites in metro Vancouver.  These site buildings were chosen to reflect a variety of construction types (high rise, medium height and low rise), building geometries, and surrounding topographies. Buildings with different types of roofs ( sloped roof, flat roof, low sloped roof with or without an overhang) were also included for comparative purposes.  

 

Topography and surroundings were also studied, with obstruction types classified as sheltered, moderate and exposed.  Properties that had moderate and sheltered obstructions benefited because the obstructions acted as a barrier from the wind-driven rain.  For example, a high rise building adjacent to a low rise building, experienced less wind-driven rain on the lower floors of a high rise building because the low rise building acted as a barrier from the wind driven rain for the lower floors.  

 

The report also stated that, in general, the east and southeast facing walls have the highest wind-driven rain exposure. It was noted that for some building sites that were monitored, walls facing northeast and the north may receive a comparably high amount of rain. It was further noted  these walls may have a higher risk of moisture damage due to lower solar radiation received on a north or northeast facing wall.  

 

Buckets of wind-driven rain when going on a tour and searching for a property?  All the better!  This is a great time to look closely at the exterior walls and window flashings, overhangs and roof (when possible), to see if the rain is seeping in or being diverted out of the property.  

 

Let’s face it- it rains a lot more in some areas than other areas.  It is always much sunnier in Ladner and Delta than downtown Vancouver. There’s a reason why this happens. Learning about British Columbia’s coastal wind and weather helps engineers build better rainscreen protection systems for properties.  For buyers, knowing how rain patterns affect your property, makes you a better and smarter buyer.  For more information, go to:  For more information, go to:    https://www.hpo.bc.ca/files/download/Report/WindDrivenRainStudy.pdf.  

 

Attend our home buying seminar November 19th at the RE/MAX Crest Realty (Westside) office from 7-8:30pm to find out more!

 

Good luck! I hope this helps!

 

 

 

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