Flooding is something that is likely to become more commonplace as factors like climate change and building new homes contribute to the risks of flooding. This is a problem which can happen anytime – although more commonly in the winter months, flooding has been known to happen in the summer. In 2007, Gloucestershire was badly hit by extensive flooding, and many people were evacuated, as well as the fact that water and electricity were both shut off to many homes around the county.
When a home floods, it can cause a lot of damage. There are things that you can do to be prepared for a flood, such as keeping sandbags and flood barriers ready for use, as well as ensuring that your drains are in good repair. It is also wise to keep a lookout on the environment agency website for flooding alerts in your area.
Drains are something that can be badly affected by flooding, so getting a professional like this drain lining company www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/news/drain-lining-no-dig-repair to come out and inspect them regularly is a good way to ensure that your flood risk is not going to be worsened by blockages or damaged drain pipes. Flooding itself can also cause damage to the drains, some common examples of this include:
Blockages – Although blockages that are already in the pipes can make matters worse when it comes to flooding, flooding can also cause blockages. Water can wash debris into the drains and cause it to become blocked, and the water itself will usually contain silt or dirt which can make its way into the drain during a flood.
Damaged Pipes, Underground or Above Ground – Because of the debris, as well as the sheer volume of water, pipes that are both above and below the ground can become overloaded and start to crack or warp during a flood. The saturated ground can also crush the pipes underneath it during and after a flood.
Damage to the Foundations – When water rushes into and around your home, it can also get into the ground. When it does this, it can cause the foundations of the home to shift, which is also another way that the pipes and drainage systems underneath the home can become damaged or weakened.
Clearing mud from outdoor drains
Garden and rainwater drains easily fill with mud, soil and leaves, and a drain that is left blocked can cause flooding when heavy rain arrives. A small blockage can often be cleared by hand. Put on sturdy gloves, carefully lift out the drain gully, then pull out as much mud and debris as you can and put it in a bin. Any standing water should then drain away.
Drain rodding is another job you may be able to do yourself. Push the rod in until it meets the blockage, break it gently into smaller pieces, then flush water through to clear the rest. If that does not work, roots may have broken the pipe and professional help is needed. Drain jetting uses a high powered jet of water that can clear blockages around bends and even break up tree roots.
To stop mud building up again, fit a drain guard and check your drains regularly, especially after heavy rain.
Why homes flood and what floodwater leaves
Whether a home floods depends largely on its location, its elevation and whether it sits on a floodplain. Inside the house, problems can also come from a burst pipe, a broken appliance, poor basement waterproofing or a drainage system that cannot carry water away fast enough.
Floodwater is destructive and unsanitary. It carries mud, chemicals and micro organisms into the home, and that sludge collects inside walls, behind sockets and switch boxes, and in appliances and light fittings, where it can cause short circuits. It smells, encourages mould and can affect the health of anyone living there.
After a flood, make sure the building is structurally safe before going in. Drying out matters, so use dehumidifiers or desiccants to bring humidity down and stop damage becoming permanent. Basements need particular care, as saturated soil puts pressure on walls and floors. Finding the cause is the final step, and inadequate drainage is often to blame, so it is worth having the drains checked.
