Look before the rains
Most drainage failures are visible weeks before they flood anything. Walk around your compound after a normal rain and check for these signs.
The five signs
- Puddles that last more than a day. Water that does not leave means the ground is low or the drain is blocked.
- Damp or stained walls near the base. Water is sitting against the wall or soaking up through it.
- Cracks or settling in paving. Water washing out the soil underneath makes paving sink.
- Silt and sand at the gate. Muddy deposits show where water has been running and slowing down.
- A drain full of refuse or plants. If you can see it is half full on a dry day, it cannot handle a storm.
Simple fixes
- Clear and flush drains before every rainy season.
- Reshape the ground so water flows away from the building.
- Add a soakaway or planted area for roof water.
- Repair broken drain covers and cracked channels early.
When to call a professional
If water enters the building, if walls crack, or if the same spot floods every year, get a proper assessment. The fix may be small, but it needs to be designed. Write to contact@autobillconst.com.
