Our Building Inspectors Look at Site Drainage Concerns as Part of a Sydney Building & Pest Inspection

Based on experience, Our Building Inspectors Know How to Identify Major Site Drainage issues, So you don’t need to worry.

Site drainage considerations are one of the most important things to look at, when assessing a building for major defects and potential termite or timber pest activity.

But before we go into the building problems related to bad site drainage, we should explain what ‘site drainage’ includes and how we might inspect it during a routine building and pest inspection.

When we talk about ‘Site drainage’ we are thinking holistically about the overall vulnerability of a particular property to stormwater ‘inundation’, flooding or excessively damp areas either on site or around the buildings.

There are several key aspects which include:

a) Is the property located in a ‘Flood Risk Zone’? Or are there other special considerations such as stormwater easements on site?

b) What is the local topography around the site? Especially on the ‘high side’ of the property in neighbouring areas.

c) What is the relationship between the building and the landscaping on site? This is the most imortant consideration.

d) What surface drains exist? are provisions for stormwater collection and discharge installed and in working order?

e) What condition is the roof plumbing in? Are the gutters and downpipes connected, clear and free flowing?

Beware the property with Major Site Drainage Defects

Common building defects found relating to poor site drainage obviously revolve around ‘water related issues’. Asside from the obvious like flooding or innundation, major defects include: Structural movement such as settlement cracks and tilted piers, Damp penetration such as rising or penetrating damp, Swelling or distortion of timber floors, Damp conditions promote the development of Mould and Mildew, Damage to internal fixtures and fittings such as timber decay, corrosion of metal components, Damp conditions attract Subterranean Termites which need a constant moisture supply.

A Sydney PrePurchase Building and Pest Inspection will include a general assessment of the site drainage considerations.

Please understand we are builders not Plumbers. We cannot make detailed comments or test the drainage services as part of a Building Inspection.

The drainage lines below ground should be checked by a licensed plumber with a drainage camera, especially if the property is old and may have terracotta pipes or if large trees pose a threat.