Flooding of properties

Apart from the major flood events around the world which continue to hit the media headlines, the matter of overland flow from neighbouring properties continues to be a vexing problem in all towns and cities. Constantly many areas are put to the test in that respect. At the time, there is often general acceptance of the view that flooding is inevitable. However, in cases we are called in to advise on, the problems generally result from identifiable short-falls in meeting acceptable construction details.

It is important to keep in mind that all drainage systems require a secondary overland flow path to cope with the more extreme storms which cannot be designed against. Having a clear understanding of the location and form of that flow path is important to ensure that it is not dammed by such things as fences, buildings or built-up gardens.

It needs to be kept in mind that landscaping can lead to additional problems of flooding. We see many cases where ground and pavement levels are built up too high, so that water is then able to enter buildings.