Sudden changes in soil moisture levels beneath your building may weaken the ground and cause subsidence. Our underpinning Melbourne services, combined with proper drainage, rectify such problems by sealing the soil and reducing the likelihood of flooding.
Obvious signs of faulty or inadequate drainage on your property include flooding in your yard and puddles in the sub-floor. Less noticeable but critical signs include:
Gutters direct rainwater from the roof to the drain. A clogged or improperly installed gutter will overflow and dump water at the base of your walls. The force of the falling water from your roof can, over time, weaken your foundation and cause other damage.
Lack of proper drainage leads to the soil retaining water and expanding. Expanding soil lifts buildings and damages basements, sidewalks, driveways, and more.
Without proper drainage, runoff water will have to make its own path off your property. The path made by the rainwater will create gullies in your landscape, which will widen and deepen with each rainfall.
Quick detection of poor drainage allows you to fix the problem before it causes extensive damage to your property.
For reliable draining, you must consider the following when designing your home’s drainage system:
Your drain field must be large enough to handle the amount of runoff water your property experiences. If it is too small, the drainage system may overload and flood your yard.
An on-site detention facility collects rainwater runoff before sending it to the main sewer line. During heavy rains, the installation will prevent flooding in the main sewer line by decelerating the rate at which runoff water from multiple houses enters it.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) maximises the use of stormwater, groundwater, and wastewater by integrating it into your water supply. It reduces pollution by ensuring that the runoff water from your home is clean before it reaches a river, lake, or ocean. If you have a yard with lots of flora, WSUD can also keep your plants watered, reducing your water bill expenses.
Before installing any drainage system, confirm that your intended design does not violate local government drainage regulations.
Most of Melbourne’s soil has a high clay content. Clay is a reactive soil that shrinks during dry spells and swells when wet. Soil shrinkage may cause building subsidence. If your property’s soil is reactive, your drainage system must keep it stable and prevent sudden soil moisture changes that may compromise your home’s structure.
Correct drainage is about more than just preventing localised flooding. Excess water can undermine the building structures on your property and cause serious problems. Use the tips in this article along with expert advice to design and install the right drainage solutions for your situation and location.