Protect your property against heavy rain
This is a basic list of ideas for protecting your home against the common intense rain events that we experience in Bellingen.
Controlling your roof water
This is paramount! Roof structures often collect large volumes of water, similar to the undeveloped parts of your property. The difference is that all of this water is being funnelled into one spot, at one time, either to your gutters and down the stormwater system - or not. If your gutters and downpipes don't have the right profile and aren't protected by high-quality gutter mesh, there's a high chance that leaves will accumulate. This can cause large volumes of water to overflow and into liveable areas.
THE SOLUTION
To have adequately profiled gutters (half round in shape, a minimum of 150mm in width but preferably 200mm).
Have external gutter brackets (unlike internal brackets, these are positioned outside the gutter, ensuring they do not obstruct the water flow within the gutter).
Ensure you have sufficient downpipes installed. On average, there should be one downpipe per 10m stretch of gutter. However, this can vary depending on the size of the roof that the gutter is servicing.
The gutter should be protected by high quality aluminium gutter mesh (defined as: one made of solid aluminium mesh which is fixed tight to both to the gutters edge and the roof structure). The leafy surrounds that we all love come at a cost! Leaf litter is terrible for gutters and stormwater systems, they take up a large surface area however have little mass so they are not easily digested down the pipe and cause blockages quickly during rain events.
Adequate profiled gutters
Specifically half-round in shape. The minimum width of these gutters is 150mm, although a preferred width is 200mm.
Making sure your stormwater outlet is appropriately designed
This seems like a simple step, however sometimes simple is best. We frequently visit properties where the owner or tenant is unaware of the direction of their stormwater flow.
Location: Typically, your stormwater is directed to the street via the kerb. However, due to the hilly terrain of Bellingen, your stormwater system may be situated below street level. That means your stormwater is discharged out in the backyard. Make sure you know where it is!
It is important that this pipe remains free of obstructions.
If your stormwater pipe does flow to the street it is important that the pipe in the nature strip is intact, often vehicular traffic will damage the pipe and reduce the flow, this can be resolved by using a rectangular steel pipe to go between your property and the kerb.
Stormwater sizing
Traditionally, 90mm stormwater pipes have been used for stormwater installation due to their cost-effectiveness and suitability for normal circumstances. However, in the rich red clay soil of Bellingen, these pipes, due to their brittle nature and thin wall thickness, struggle to withstand the rapid expansion and contraction of the soil. This often results in significant deformation of the pipe. Once the pipe is deformed, the flow capacity is permanently reduced.
THE SOLUTION
Use only 100mm sewer pipe underground. If possible, opt for 150mm as it has significantly thicker walls and offers superior resistance to compression.
Make sure it is backfilled using crusher dust or gravel (no bigger than 10mm). This backfill does not expand or contract and allows water to pass through it.
Ground water
Given the hilly surroundings, most houses are constructed on a slope. Typically, these houses have existing subsoil drains, which are perforated pipes laid in gravel or rubble that collect water below ground level and divert it away from the affected area. However, over time, the outlets of these drains tend to get lost and forgotten.
THE SOLUTION
Always have subsoil drainage expire into a pit before it enters your stormwater system. This allows for access to the pipe, it allows for visual inspection to make sure that the drain is operating as it should and it allows for the sediment collected in the subsoil drain to be caught before it enters the stormwater system and causes blockages.
Subsoil drainage
Ensure that subsoil drainage always discharges into a pit prior to entering your stormwater system.
Considering a roof upgrade? Now is the perfect time!
If you're fed up with roof leaks, cold nights due to insufficient insulation, overflowing gutters, or simply the outdated appearance of your old roof, don't hesitate to contact us for a complimentary quote!
Get in touch for a free quote.
