As the recent tragic floods in Queensland and Victoria have shown, much needed rain can quickly turn into so much more, overwhelming homes and businesses and causing great damage.  But what if there was a way to drain at least some, if not all, of this water away so that it doesn’t cause serious damage to your foundations or other structural walls?  Read on for more.

What is Vertical Drainage?

A vertical drainage system is designed to create a cavity between a structural component (such as a foundation or retaining wall) and the soil surrounding it so that moisture or water cannot pass through the soil to the structure and cause damage.  Instead, the water passes from the soil into the drain where it is filtered and disposed of through a special pipe.  The filters are used so that soil does not clog the pipe or panels.  There are three main components to a vertical drainage system – the wall panels, the drainage pipe, and the geotextile or free draining materials that stop soil from passing into the drainage system and causing blockages.

How Vertical Drainage Helps to Prevent Flood Damage

Essentially, vertical drainage systems help to prevent flood damage to your home by keeping the water away from your foundations, retaining walls, and basements.  Of course, they will not always be successful at doing this, but it can mean that you suffer little or less damage than you otherwise would have.  If you are building a new home or rebuilding or renovating your home after recent floods, it could be a very good idea to install a vertical drainage system where appropriate.

The vertical drainage system works by installing a structural cavity between the wall (such as a foundation or retaining wall), and the soil surrounding it.  Water that would otherwise seep into the wall through the soil instead goes into the cavity created by the vertical drain where it then drains away.  The vertical drainage system is capable of draining away significant amounts of water (that enter the soil through prolonged rainfall etc) which means that there is much less pressure from the water on your structural walls; that your waterproofing membranes are more likely to stay intact; ad that you are less likely to suffer from serious damage once all the flood waters have drained away.  Basically speaking, the vertical drainage system gives the water somewhere else to go other than sitting around your foundations or retaining walls, where it can weaken the structures.