How to Prevent a Flooded Courtyard
Winter is coming, and in Auckland that generally means rain, rain and more rain. For many homeowners with a brick or tiled courtyard, this can lead to excess surface water that doesn’t drain properly.
Flooding is a major problem on tiled and brick surfaces because stormwater that’s left to sit for long periods of time can cause shifting, sinking, erosion, chips and cracks. At the very least, it can result in slippery, mossy pavers.
You might not want to use your courtyard for outdoor entertaining over winter, but it’s important to protect your property and avoid long-term damage by ensuring that you have adequate drainage in place to funnel rainfall into the public stormwater system.
When it comes to hard surfaces like brick and tiles, channel drains are usually the most effective option.
What is a channel drain?
Drainage channels can be installed in any hard, man-made areas on your property, such as tile, brick, concrete or asphalt surfaces. They’re minimal in appearance and highly effective for surface water management in courtyards, patios and outdoor dining spaces.
Channel drains are narrow grates made from plastic, stainless steel or galvanised steel. The grates are often designed to prevent heels slipping into the drain and to catch excess debris, such as leaves and soil, before it enters your drains.
Drainage channels are a simple, affordable way to protect your property from surface water damage.
They’re not only useful for residential properties but commercial premises too. For example, many cafes and restaurants choose to install channel drains in their outdoor spaces to ensure that they can be used whenever the weather is warm enough for alfresco dining.
Can I install channel drains myself?
We wouldn’t recommend it. While channel drains can be purchased from most hardware stores, it’s difficult to install a drainage channel properly and safely without any experience.
Why?
Channel drains must empty rainwater into a cesspit to prevent debris from overflowing into the private or public lines
The trench for the drainage channel needs to be prepared at the correct gradient to avoid any pooling of water
To encourage water runoff into the channel drain, concrete must be poured carefully around the drain
As channel drains click together, many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that channel drainage is an easy DIY project they can tackle themselves, but an experienced drain layer can make sure the drains work efficiently and safely.
Autumn is an excellent time to speak with us about channel drains, before high rainfall over winter damages the bricks or tiles in your courtyard any further.
Ready to fix your flooded courtyard with a channel drain? Get in touch below for a no-obligation quote.