The weather in New Zealand is changing. More and more properties are feeling the effect of our record rain fall as storms like Gabrielle become the norm in this decade. In fact, Aucklanders suffer the wettest month in history! Article Here by NIWA.
This ultimately means that many conventional methods of managing stormwater in the Auckland area may need to be reassessed, revalued and improved.
This of course starts with our Public Systems that are already struggling with the volume of water being managed. Our overwhelmed Stormwater systems are also affecting our Sewer system in the Auckland areas. During heavy rains, this leads to overflowing gully traps and sewage flooding onto lawns and even into properties.
Watercare and council have been tackling cross connection issues for years using methods such as smoke but as they continue to successfully separate stormwater and sewer they are faced with the consequences of this ongoing extreme wet weather.
In the images below, Watercare is testing a suspected private line to ensure SW and SS are not connected together. The apply smoke to the sewer line and if smoke exits the stormwater then there is evidence that the two are connected. It is the home owner’s responsibility to remedy the problem.
Whilst planning and action is underway, it takes time for our councils and government to improve NZ’s infrastructure and in the meantime, where does that leave you as a property owner?
If you property is affected by one of the following scenarios, then you will also be affected by the record rain. Especially homes that were built pre 2000.
Scenarios:
- If a portion of your property is below ground. E.g. The ground outside is higher than the floor inside. The more sides of the property below external ground level, the more flood prone the property is.
- Your property is located down the hill or down a shared driveway. The saying goes, “The property down the hill pays the bill”. Subsoil Solutions required.
- Your property operates a charged water discharge system where downpipes are sealed pushing water upstream.
- Your stormwater discharge is going into a soakhole. Most likely installed in the 70s and most likely never serviced.
- You don’t have a public connection and your SW and SS is combined integrating a Buchan trap.
- Your Garage floor is the lowest point and does not offer a step up.
- You rely on external channels and residential cesspits that are not doing a great job.
- Damaged and blocked drains needing constant Drain Unblocking.
If any of the above applies to you, you have come to the right company to assist with solutions that are not only permanently effective but also affordable.
Thanks to our expertise, over 100 homes in the Auckland area alone will never flood again!
Our engineered solutions are unique and designed to give you confidence. Give us a ring on 0800 DRAINLAYER and solve your flooding problems once and for all.
We also provide insurance report and provide building inspections services to identify flood risk prior to buying a property.
Current Jobs, Drainage NZ is providing solutions for:
Flooding Garage Remuera (channels)
Flooding Basement West Auckland
Subsoil Drainage To Flooding Granny Flat in Panmure
Flooding Under Home In Grey Lyn
Flooding inside Home North Shore