Flooding can cause major damage to your property or business, but often the issues go unnoticed.
South East Queensland’s most recent floods have severely affected businesses and residences throughout the state.
The visible effects of water damage are glaring and confronting, but what often goes unnoticed when considering flood damage is the effect that flooding can have on your plumbing system. Damage to drainage, exposed pipes or even your underground plumbing network can be devastating to an already waterlogged area in the aftermath of flooding. Here are three key areas of your plumbing system to inspect following a flood.
Damaged Exposed Pipes
Exposed piping is particularly susceptible to damage from floating debris brought about by flood waters. When water brought about by flooding has nowhere to go, the pressure this water puts on your pipes can cause damage and fracturing, resulting in tainted freshwater flowing into your home.
Usually if you notice damage to piping as a result of debris in one area of your exposed piping system, then it is highly likely that there has been further damage somewhere along your connective piping. Key indicators of damaged piping are brown or strange-tasting tap water or the scent of mould throughout your residence.
Damaged Underground Pipes
Flooding can compromise the stability of your driveway, verandah, backyard and even the foundation of your home. Large pools of stagnating water in low points and dips in your residence result in extra absorption of water into indoor slabs or topsoil, adding additional weight to the area above your piping which can crush your underground plumbing system. This can lead to cracked underground pipes which can further exacerbate your excessive water and drainage problems.
It is important to check your property for uneven areas of lawn or topsoil which are key indicators of damaged piping. At Find Leak Detection, we specialise in finding these problem spots using state-of-the-art leak detection technology (How do you tell if slabs are leaking if they aren’t sunken in).
Damage To Your Home’s Foundation From Slab Leaks
A slab leak is a leak in the plumbing underneath the foundation of your home, which is typically a large portion of concrete. Flood water can devastate your home’s foundation, with the soil disruption underneath this slab causing misalignment, cracking or damage to your plumbing system. Slab leaks can lead to mould build-up, and in severe cases the formation of sinkholes which can ruin the flooring and foundation of your home. If you notice unexplained wet spots or bodies of water on your carpet or wooden flooring, these are tell-tale signs of a slab leak.
If this is the case, immediate repair is recommended as your wooden flooring will warp when wet and a moist carpet is a ripe source for mould growth.
Need professional help with Water Leak Detection?
At Find Leak Detection, our professional plumbers have years of experience in the plumbing and water leak detection industry, and are experts at locating and fixing leaks quickly and efficiently.
Our cutting-edge water leak detection technology ensures that we get the job right the first time round, and we pride ourselves on being transparent with all our clients and never charging hidden fees.
If you suspect you may have a leak, get in touch with us through our website or give us a call on (07) 3287 1553.
