One of the factors that make it possible for large numbers of humans to co-exist in our cities is the effectiveness of our plumbing infrastructures. Whether you own a commercial or residential property it’s crucial to have an effective and well-designed stormwater drainage system.
A reliable drainage system has several advantages, all of which prevent issues such as flooding. If you’re not sure about how effective your current drainage system is, it’s crucial to consult a civil plumber to give your commercial or residential property an assessment.
Why Do you Need a Stormwater System?
Without a stormwater drainage system in place, water will just pool up all over the place. When water collects and builds up on a piece of land that has no drainage system it can be detrimental to the people, animals and property.
Stormwater contains bacteria, trace metal, pesticides, sediments or even oil and with nowhere to go, this dirty water can run anywhere and cause havoc.
Reasons Why Your Commercial or Residential Property Needs a Drainage System
With the considerable amount of rain that some parts of Australia are currently experiencing, it’s just common sense to ensure that your property has the best possible drainage system. Some of the advantages of a reliable stormwater drainage system include the following.
Eliminate the Potential of Flooding
An effective drainage system throughout your property ensures that there’s minimal risk of flooding during times of severe rain. This is especially crucial in areas prone to extensive rain. In areas where your property is close to motorways or streets, flooding can have dire consequences on the entire area.
Limit the Risk of Water Contaminants
Besides contaminants found in stormwater, there’s also the possibility of water becoming even more polluted when it pools on the ground. Such filthy, contaminated water has the potential of spreading diseases to humans and animals, with risks including:
- E.coli
- Legionella
- Salmonella
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Harmful algae
Reduce Damage to Infrastructure
Infrastructure of the surrounding area runs the risk of being severely damaged if vast quantities of water pool on your property. Adjacent highways, sidewalks, cables, underground pipes and neighbouring buildings can suffer considerable damage. When it comes to flooding, the contents inside the surrounding buildings are also at risk of damage.
Prevent Damage to Fauna & Flora
If your property is surrounded by grass, this is likely to be destroyed by flooding. But an effective drainage systems can prevent collected water from damaging the surrounding fauna & flora. So, it protects the eco-system in general.
It can be quite costly to repair if the pooled-up water results in damage, so the right infrastructure has financial benefits too.
Collected Water Can Be Reused
In some areas, advancements in infrastructure technology enable stormwater to be filtered. In conjunction with a rain collecting system, this water can easily be reused for watering gardens, putting out fires and, in some instances, even drinking if filtered correctly.
Reduces Soil Erosion
As water accumulates on and around your property, it becomes stagnant. This leads to the surrounding soil becoming muddy and leading to potential erosion. Soil erosion can have a negative effect on crop yields in the area as it results in the loss of topsoil.
Depending on the area and the amount of rain a particular region gets during a season, it may lead to mud and landslides. This can result in natural disasters and can easily cause people in surrounding homes or properties to become displaced.
Tips to Keep Your Stormwater Drainage System Clean
A blocked drainage system is almost as bad as no drainage system at all! Our expert plumbers have a few tips to keep the stormwater drains clean and debris-free:
- Keep a watchful eye on your storm grates as they can get covered with stones, leaves and other types of debris. This can hinder the smooth flow of water and result in blocked drains.
- Always keep a pitchfork and rake on the property in case you need to clean up the leaves and debris in a hurry.
- Avoid using salt and sand in your driveways as this will wash down into the drains and result in blockages.
- In areas where external stormwater drains seem to be overflowing or become blocked, report this to the necessary authorities before the next rains come!
- If you have stormwater drainage systems on your property, rinse them regularly and check that the water flows smoothly.
- Both residential and commercial external drains should be checked for leaves, soil and other debris.
If all else fails, be sure to contact a civil plumber in your area!
Final Thought
Australian legislation is very strict about having a reliable stormwater drainage system on your property. Further good news is, certified civil plumbers in your area will gladly assess, repair or replace to resolve any issues you’re experiencing with your drainage system.
An effective drainage system will keep your commercial or residential property safe! But it also affects those around you. So, does yours need some attention at the moment?
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