Building defects database - Drainage problems

Record details

© Copyright Philip Santo	(a) The upward slope of the site continues behind the property, although rather less steeply than the front section. The remaining photos are of an area at the rear of the property which is not properly drained. Incidentally, the absence of any safety railing in front of the first floor window was reported.
© Copyright Philip Santo	(b) This small recessed area lies at a lower level than a patio and between a conservatory to the left and a rear porch, to the right. In exceptional conditions rainwater runs off from the sloping rear garden and patio and accumulates in the recessed area. At its maximum height, the water level reaches one brick course below the bottom of the vent, which is at damp proof course level. The property has a solid ground floor throughout, despite the presence of vents positioned above damp-proof course level.
© Copyright Philip Santo	(c) The view from beside the porch towards the conservatory, showing the various levels and the general slope of the site against the patio base brickwork, all descending towards the recessed area. There is no provision for drainage within this area and water cannot run away until the accumulation is sufficient for the excess to flow around the porch, see (d) and (e).
© Copyright Philip Santo	(d) Rear of porch, with driveway to right, showing the high ground level against the porch and the fall towards the recessed area, out of shot to the left of the patio. Water cannot drain from the recessed area until it rises above the path level at the right-hand corner of the porch, from which point it can drain away down the driveway. In addition, the angle of the path actively channels rainwater run-off from the rear garden towards the recessed area, rather than down the driveway at the side of the house.
© Copyright Philip Santo	(e) Corner of the porch by the recessed area, showing the raised ground level that prevents drainage around the porch until the depth of water reaches the base of the downpipe at top right.