# Mobile grooming vans for Richmond groomers ProVanWorks builds mobile grooming vans in Langley for groomers who work in Richmond and Steveston. Richmond is flat and sits at sea level on Lulu Island, so a van there deals with rain, wind off the water and muddy dogs far more often than snow, but it still needs real heat for the cold snaps. ## What is winter like for a grooming van in Richmond? Richmond gets less snow than the cities further up the Fraser Valley, but it is rarely sheltered. Wind comes in off the Strait of Georgia and across the open farmland in east Richmond, and on a damp day just above freezing that wind pulls warmth out of a parked van quickly. When Arctic outflow does reach the coast, the flat streets freeze over and side roads in Steveston and Terra Nova can stay icy for days. A ProVanWorks van holds the work area at the thermostat setting with a small diesel, gas or electric heater under the seat. The heat moves through in-floor and in-wall piping and heat exchangers around the cargo area, so the whole space warms up rather than one corner. Wet dogs dry faster in a warm van, which matters on a route where most dogs arrive soaked. The [cold-weather design](/mobile-grooming-vans/cold-weather-design/) page explains how it is put together. ## Why do Richmond dogs use so much water? Richmond is ringed by dykes, and the dyke trails and fields are where a lot of local dogs get walked. For much of the year they come to the van wet and caked in mud, and that means a pre-rinse before the real bath. A ProVanWorks van carries a large fresh water reservoir in the utility area at the back, so a day of extra rinsing does not leave you hunting for a tap by mid-afternoon. A separate grey water tank holds the muddy run-off until you can empty it at an approved site. The [water system](/mobile-grooming-vans/water-system/) page covers how the tanks and hot water work. The waterproof floor helps here too. Mud and water end up on the floor no matter how careful you are, and a floor that can be hosed down and wiped dry keeps the van in shape for the next client. ## Where do Richmond groomers park? Richmond housing ranges from condo towers along No. 3 Road and the Canada Line to townhouse complexes, single-family lots with wide driveways, and farm properties in the east. Tower parkades are usually too low for a grooming van, so plan on street parking or a surface lot. Townhouse complexes often have narrow internal roads with tight visitor parking. In Steveston village the streets are narrow and busy with visitors, and spots near the waterfront fill up early on weekends. Check with the City of Richmond about limits on commercial vehicles in residential areas. ## How do you get from the Langley shop to Richmond? Richmond is on an island, so every trip in or out uses a bridge or the George Massey Tunnel. From the Langley shop, groomers usually head west on Highway 10 or the South Fraser Perimeter Road, then cross into Richmond by the Alex Fraser Bridge and Highway 91 or by the tunnel on Highway 99. Rush hour at the tunnel can add a lot of time, so a midday pickup is easier. Most Richmond groomers drive the finished van home themselves after we go through every system with them at the shop. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I empty grey water into a ditch in Richmond? No. Richmond's ditches and storm drains carry water to pump stations and out to the Fraser River, so grey water from a grooming van has to go to an approved disposal point or the sanitary sewer. Ask the City of Richmond which sites accept it. ### Can I see a grooming van before ordering if I live in Richmond? Yes. Email info@provanworks.com to book a visit to the Langley shop and stand inside a van that is being built. Seeing the tub, table and cabinet layout in person is the quickest way to decide what fits how you work. ### Does a Richmond grooming van need air conditioning? Yes, on sunny days. Richmond is flat and open, so a van parked on the street or in a surface lot sits in full sun, and a dryer running inside adds more heat. The front fan in a ProVanWorks van also runs the A/C, on the same thermostat as the heat. Read about [van fans and A/C](/van-fan-and-ac-installation/).