Inspecting and Solving Exterior Drainage System around your Home

There seems little doubt that climate change is having an effect, recent years have seen a he increase in extreme weather conditions, such as the brutal Black Summer fires that has swept through the southeast of the continent. 

But fires are only one end of the issue, at the other extreme, there are hundreds of areas affected by flash floods, both in Australia and across the globe.

A flood can be just as devastating as a fire, and even heavy rain can cause serious damage to your home which might require the services of Storm Damage Restoration Specialists. That’s why it’s so important that you inspect and solve exterior drainage issues today with a residential drain cleaning.

Your exterior drainage is designed to channel water away from your home. If it isn’t working properly then the water can enter your property. It can do this because it is pooling outside your doors, or because gutters are unable to cope with the volume of water and are overflowing. Water cascading down your exterior walls will find a way into your home. When this happens, you will need the help of an emergency water damage restoration company to prevent further damage and do the necessary repairs.

Getting The Inspection Right

The first step is to get the ladders out and check the seamless rain gutters around your property. These can become clogged with leaves, silt, and even bird nests. You’ll need to clear them completely in order to ensure the water is flowing along them and down the drainage pipes. 

Of course, if you’ve got problems in your gutters you may also have problems inside the pipes taking the water away. It’s a good idea to use a pipe inspection camera to look inside these pipes and check they are free of obstructions. If you do use equipment in your pipeline, consider using something like an Electric Submersible Pump Systems

This is also a good time to assess your mains drainage around the home to see if you need drain cleaning, the camera can be used inside all pipes and will alert you to any potential issues. This is important if you want to prevent rainwater or wastewater getting into your property.

Grading

Water coming down a drainpipe needs to be directed away from the house, this can be achieved by adding extra pipes but a simpler solution is to grade the area outside your home. This means making sure the ground outside your door is approximately 6’ higher than it is 10’ from your property. This should create a fairly steep angle that ensures the water is directed away from your home.

Inspecting the Property

It’s also a good idea to visually inspect the outside of your property. Cracks around the base of the walls or in the walls can allow water to get in. The water can then soak through into your house causing damp and potentially undermining your foundations. 

Don’t forget to check around windows and doors, this is where gaps commonly occur. If you find any repair the area immediately.

The key to ensuring the water stays outside your home is regular inspection like a residential drain cleaning, you can also learn more here if you’re staying at a flooded apartment.  Of course, if you find any issues you need to deal with them quickly. This will ensure the exterior drainage system is working properly and your house stays dry even in the worst of weather. 

Don’t forget, it’s worth getting a professional to check everything and deal with plumbing problems, such as clogged drains, if you want a real peace of mind.