For groundwater or other water runoff to drain properly on any property, it must be able to flow into the proper channels, and gutters and downspouts must be free of debris. Whether at home or on a commercial property, the effects of accumulating water will be the same, causing damage to the foundation of the building.
There are many different reasons people don’t perform regular maintenance to keep these locations clean, including cost, time, and effort. Prioritizing this upkeep will prevent gutters from accumulating the dirt that clogs downspouts and drains. When drainage is impeded, it causes the water to stagnate, which can lead to property damage, pooling and standing water, and the possibility of water pollution. The longer water stagnates, the greater the chance it will become contaminated.
What is Drainage?
Drainage is the process of eliminating excess surface or subsurface water from your structure or property. Rain, snow, ice, and nearby water bodies like lakes, rivers, and ponds can all contribute to an overabundance of water on your property.
The water that is visible on the ground is known as surface water. Subsurface water, because it is underground and cannot be seen, easily has the potential to become surface water. Both types require the appropriate drainage system solutions to remain in check.
Essentially, proper drainage solutions are required to avoid damage to any property, let alone a commercial property. Let’s discuss a few problems that arise from improper drainage since drainage may be a serious problem for you (as it is for many other business owners!). Therefore, it is crucial to address drainage issues as they arise by properly maintaining them or having them repaired.
Obstruction
Drainage obstructions come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The water flow must be considered while designing and constructing buildings. You wouldn’t want to construct anything that prevents flow since water damage would result. Furthermore, blocking naturally occurring or artificially created channels can lead to flooding problems and expose runoff to contaminants. Before beginning any construction, observe how the water moves and, if required, locate alternate routes.
Runoff From Various Properties
Runoff from neighboring properties can create a significant drainage concern for some commercial properties. If the surrounding lots don’t have adequate drainage systems either, then some serious difficulties may arise. Commercial drainage requires the teamwork of adjacent lots to help knock out the problem since water doesn’t discriminate!
When considering how to handle storm runoff, all nearby regions must agree and be in tandem with the solution process. If your property is located downhill from another, this can be a formula for a rather dangerous situation. As a result, you will have to deal with the repercussions of water damage, even if it wasn’t your fault.
Landscape Planning
It is crucial to check local surveys before adding landscape elements to a commercial property whenever feasible. An extensive survey may cost money, although if you are lucky enough to come upon a survey with topographic lines, you’ll have plenty of data to help guide your decision-making. Finding out about the land’s slope and the water’s flow direction is worthwhile when considering proper drainage system solutions. You’ll be able to decide where it makes sense to build particular landscaping improvements.
Permeable Surface
Utilizing porous surfaces can be a lifesaver when striving to direct or limit the restriction of natural water flow. There are various alternatives to traditional concrete or asphalt for lots and patios. Utilizing permeable materials enables water to percolate through the top layer of soil and filter contaminants while renewing the water cycle.
There are several techniques you can use to identify typical drainage issues with commercial buildings. The simplest thing to do when there is heavy rain is to maintain your focus on problematic parts of the land. Knowing how water moves and its surroundings may be impacted is crucial. Drainage experts like those at BARRIER Waterproofing Systems can evaluate the issue and recommend fitting solutions. Give us a call today if you start to see signs that runoff isn’t draining properly. We are here to provide the finest assistance to you in preventing water from damaging your property.
Improper Grading
For an appropriately managed property, much thought has been put into the land’s slope to enable appropriate drainage and prevent pooling. For example, water may become caught up in places where you don’t want it to accumulate due to improper grading. Adequate grading can alter the slope or flow of a flat region to direct water away from structures. The slope doesn’t need to be very steep to move runoff away from your foundation, buildings, and yards. A professional can help determine just how much slope is needed.
Final Thoughts
If you do not improve the drainage system of your property, then water damage and other moisture intrusion issues can become common problems. Contact your local waterproofing and drainage system experts at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168 for more information about how to improve the state of your property. Schedule a FREE evaluation today to take one step closer to a healthy and dry commercial property.
