Brisbane is a real soggy city in the summer months. Eventually, ongoing rain can mean there is nowhere else for the water to go but in your backyard and property. You could be one burst of rain away from floodwaters!

So how do you know that your roofwater and stormwater drainage isn’t coping with the rain? How can your Brisbane plumber help? Read on to learn more!

Flooded garage of home.  Talk to a plumber about the correct drainage Brisbane homes need to deal with wet summers and avoid flooding.

Signs Your Brisbane Drainage System Isn’t Coping

Water pooling long after the rain has stopped

Puddles are normal after rain. But if water is sticking around for a while without draining away, your drainage system might not be up to par.

If this happens after most moderate rain events, what could happen after heavier rain? Flooding.

Pooling water can mean that the slope of your drains and yard aren’t suitable. Also check for pooling around your drains. It could mean slow draining or even a complete blockage due to debris, tree roots, incorrect connections, or foreign objects in your sewer line.

Stagnant water and waterlogging can cause mould, mosquitoes and compromised property foundation – so don’t put off fixing it.

Overflowing roofwater drainage

If you notice your gutters gushing during rain, vertical streaks of dirt on your gutters or peeling paint, your gutters need some work. The likely causes are leaf litter and debris, undersized gutters or downpipes or incorrectly installed gutters. Gutters filled with debris lead to corroded and ineffective gutters with holes in them. Gutters with the incorrect fall mean that water cannot efficiently make its way to the nearest downpipe and can instead overflow into your ceiling cavity.

Also check the downpipes connected to your gutters. Downpipes blocked by debris and root infiltration (or a stray tennis ball) will have your gutters overflowing in no time. Check your downpipes for corrosion and holes, and make sure they are all connected to the stormwater system. If your downpipes are dumping buckets of water next to the house, it can soak your foundations and cause water damage and even cracks in your home. Leaking downpipes on timber-clad homes are also a recipe for disaster, eventually resulting in wood rot.

Sinkholes

If you notice that your backyard is lowering in a certain area, you might have a sinkhole. When you have leaking pipes, soil erodes and gets sucked into the plumbing system. Sinkholes can be super dangerous to you and cause a lot of damage to the structure of your home. They usually get worse and worse as time goes on, and your pipes keep breaking. These leaks need to be investigated and repaired as soon as possible.

Sinkholes can be caused by incorrect drainage and leaky pipes.

Tree roots getting in the way

Tree roots are always looking for water. That means that they might find their way into pipes or the surface – leading to broken pipes, blockages and soil erosion. If you have a lot of trees in your backyard or surrounding area, consider installing drain guards.

Can You Prevent Flooding in a Brisbane Property?

In reality, there is no way to fully prevent flooding. Brisbane is built on a floodplain, and if the last few years are any indication, flooding will happen during major rain events. But you can minimise it by improving your roofwater and backyard drainage.

Contact Salmon Plumbing to plan and install the best drainage system for you. Some options to help manage flooding include:

  • Installing wider gutters, downpipes and other pipes
  • Installing more drains or downpipes
  • Installing drain guards
  • Repairing leaks and relining broken pipes
  • Ensuring the slope of your yard is appropriate for your drains
  • Attending to blocked drains as a matter of priority
  • Sizing up your drains and switching to the best drain option
  • Maintaining your stormwater drainage
  • Updating rubble pits
  • Installing a rainwater tank

Extra and more efficient drainage will help the water move a lot quicker and divert it away from your property.

Maintain Your Drainage Brisbane!

Get the most out of your drainage system by scheduling regular maintenance. Not only will it give your property a fighting chance during Brisbane rain events, it will also reduce the risk of you inadvertently causing flooding on neighbouring properties, too. By regularly checking for blockages and cleaning out your gutters, you can make a huge difference.

Remember that the longer you neglect your drainage, the more issues could affect the integrity of your home. Sagging in your gutters, water damage in your walls, or even pest infestations are just a few of the problems you could face. Don’t risk it!

Book Brisbane Drainage Services ASAP!

Don’t be the last Brisbane homeowner to get your drainage sorted! Our premium flood preventative services are in high demand, so contact Salmon Plumbing today to book!