How to Flood-proof Your Homes
- As the winter sets in, stormy weather frequently occurs, causing the threat of stormwater runoff to rise which leads to flooding. As we know, floods are a threat to anyone all year round, whether it is caused by a sewer backup, burst pipe, or your area is amongst those with higher vulnerability to flooding. Regardless of the cause, floods can inflict devastating destruction. And as the level of stormwater rise inside your home, so does the amount of damage.
- To stave off flooding or water damage to your home, it pays to know the actions you need to take. At Revolution Pipe Relining, we recommend taking one step ahead of flooding by making suitable preparations so you can breeze through the winter flood-free.
How does stormwater runoff cause floods in your home?
- Stormwater can get into your home and cause a flood through poorly conditioned drain pipes. All that water that rolls off of your roof can find its way through doors, windows, cracks in ceilings, walls, and basement instead of flowing through your stormwater pipes to rivers, lakes or the sea. That is why it makes perfect sense to have a well-conditioned and well-designed stormwater drainage system.
How likely your home might be at risk?
- The first step towards a flood-proof home is to assess how likely you are to experience a flood in your area and how well your stormwater drainage system can cope with the overwhelming downpour.
- Costly repairs are not because of the devices and supplies used, but rather the extra cost involved in the excavation. But, since Pipe Relining is a dig-free method, any possible extra cost is avoided. When you reline, you’re not paying for the price, but for the long term benefit.
Find out how stormwater might find entrance in your home by paying attention to the surface runoff next time you experience significant snowmelt or heavy rain. Keep in mind that whether the course of water is heading towards or away from your home, it will help to understand the risk that might be beneficial in flood-proofing your homes. You can also inspect your homes for any weak points, staying on top of all necessary upkeep and repair.
Don’t miss out on identifying any leaks that need to be fixed on your stormwater pipes. The downspouts that filter the water from the gutters to the ground should be clog-free. Clean out the gutters, inspect your roof for any weak points or fractures. These simple checks are a total life-saver if you want to reduce the chances of flooding and water damage in your home.
If you live near a major stormwater drain, a river, a creek, or in a low‐lying area, you may be at risk from floods. You can confirm this with your local community to check the level of risk in your area. Flood level is the point at which stormwater runoff or floodwaters could rise during severe weather conditions. So aside from flood-proofing your homes from inside by making sure your stormwater drain pipe is in the best shape throughout the winter, you can also flood-proof from outside to ensure surface runoff from nearby does not get a chance to enter your home.
Work with the experts to assess the current condition of your stormwater drainage system. Stormwater pipe relining Sydney experts like our team can advise whether your stormwater requires cleaning or complete repair.
Issues that can arise due to poor conditioned stormwater drainage
- Water backing up into the roof cavity – Blocked gutters can lead to water backing up into the roof cavity and crawl down to your ceilings and wall. An impassable gutter filled with water can be very heavy, often causing itself to break away from the roof either to some extent or altogether.
- Structural damage – A slight drop of stormwater by a roof leak may not be that alarming but it can turn your prized valuables into fusty relics that only look good for the waste bin. Severe cases of a roof leak can seriously jeopardise the structural integrity of a property.
- Foundational damage – Damage to foundations, driveways, paths, and paving from water pooling around the house is another great concern of people suffering from the flood. It is both a pain in the neck and wallet. Waiting to fix a leak in your stormwater drainage system, can turn a simple repair into a full-blown renovation job.
- Mould and mildew growth – Damp walls as a result of stormwater not escaping from your home can create the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow. Moulds thrive in a damp area and feed on organic matter such as wood and paper. As it feeds and grows, it can cause unsightly damage to your home’s interior and the surface.
Flood-proofing actions
- Safety is always more important than recovering your prized valuables so, be wise as you plan out the needed flood-proofing actions, taking into consideration your area, your plumbing system and how well it can cope up with stormwater runoffs.
- If your property is in a flood-prone zone or not designed to withstand stormwater runoff, you may need to consider some flood-proofing project to reduce flood damage. Here are some steps you can take to protect your home.
- Install crawl space vents or a sump pump – Foundation vents or crawl space vents allow water to flow through your home rather than puddle around it. It provides an exit point for floodwater and lessens the significant pressure it put on your basement foundation. Sump pumps are used to suck the water out in the basement, where flooding usually occurs. We recommend battery backup sump pumps in case the power goes out, which is common during severe storms.
- Seal your homes – During a flood, water can seep into homes through cracks in the siding and foundation, causing basement floods, leaks, and other significant structural damage. Apply coatings and sealants in these water passages to help keep the stormwater runoff out of your homes.
- Point your downspouts away from your home – The placement of your downspouts plays a vital role in making sure the stormwater runoff does not pool at the corners of your house. Make sure it is pointed away to avoid leaks in your basement.
- Improve Drainage – Your home’s drainage and gutter systems must be cleaned on a regular basis to function properly. Failure to do this will result in standing water near the foundation as well as leaks inside the home. To get away from this problem, clean your gutters at least regularly or once a year, depending on the rate at which debris builds up on your property. If it’s in your budget, it would be a good investment to install gutter covers to maintain proper drainage with less professional cleaning.
- Consider stormwater pipe relining Sydney – In addition to the suggested measures above, consider stormwater pipe relining when your stormwater pipe has fractured. Relining stormwater pipes makes your stormwater drainage system work optimally.
Prepare your homes to withstand flooding
Once you’ve figured your home’s overall risk level, take any needed actions before extreme weather conditions happen again. Flood-proofing your home can vary depending on your home’s risk level and how well your home is built to stand against flooding. You can go for an expensive home renovation if you see it more fit, or simple upkeep and repair, like stormwater pipe relining.
Flood resiliency is the key, so we highly recommend stormwater pipe relining services Sydney if the problem in the drainage system is not beyond repair. Our pipeline relining in Sydney solutions restores your drainage systems like it’s brand new, so you will never have to worry about flooding situations either during the winter season or not.