Most Common New Build Drainage Problems

Moving into a new build is an exciting time for home buyers. It’s the start of a journey to make a house a home and make a lasting impression to look back fondly at memories made. The emphasis being on fond memories, no one wants to move into a new home that is riddled with drainage issues. The last thing a homeowner wants to do is be on the phone with consultants/the company who built the house looking for a remedy. These issues can be avoided by using an expert drainage engineer to ensure all of your new builds; whether doing it yourself or as a company project, meet all requirements and ensure a safe home for buyers.

You may already have a drainage issue on your hands, or perhaps you’re looking to protect yourself from any unsuspecting surprises before you start the construction process, in either case, we’ve put together a list of the most common points for consideration when constructing a new build.

Drainage Planning for New Builds

Creating and maintaining a drainage system plan for new builds is a fundamental way of protecting properties from unneeded expenses and inconvenience.

Long Term Planning

A drainage system should always be planned for the long term and future proof for many years to come. This can be done by building with the correct hydraulic capacity for future demands, particularly if there are plans for future construction. The addition of multiple access points to facilitate maintenance will also create easier inspection and maintenance, which will then reduce costs.

Consult SuDS Before

There has been an industry-wide push to embrace sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), this being a modern method of channeling surface water through a series of pipes to a dedicated water source. This method reduces environmental impact and preserves natural water bodies. New builds are highly recommended to incorporate SuDS, in fact, if you’re located in Wales then it is compulsory that your new build project uses a SuDS system. If you’re in charge of your new build project and your drainage consultant hasn’t mentioned a SuDS system, you’re most likely using the wrong person – feel free to contact us to speak to an expert instead.

Existing Pipe Consideration

If your project requires you to connect with a pre-existing drain/sewer, make sure that the system is situated at least 0.9m below ground floor level. This avoids any water flow issues or blockages.

The Surrounding Flow of Water

Understanding the flow of water around your property and in which direction of travel it pursues will greatly relieve issues. The roof size of your property needs careful consideration and planning. Understanding the amount of surface water that it will generate will allow you to plan for where exactly that level of water needs to run off. Patios and driveways are somewhat easier to consider, and should always (when possible) run towards permeable ground rather than areas where water will hold.

The Key Benefits of High-Quality Plans

Producing a high-quality plan of your drainage system will pay itself off ten-fold in the future. With new builds, you’re creating the first copy of drawings for the site, therefore they need to be as accurate as possible for future work to go without a hitch. This will save you time and money in the long run, whilst making it easier to maintain your drainage system.

Remote Camera Surveys (CCTV Survey)

A bit of background: a CCTV survey is the process of examining a drainage system condition with a remotely controlled camera system.

By using a CCTV Survey, you’re able to get a highly accurate overview of any mistakes that may have been made during the construction of the new build.

Routine Maintenance

When moving into a new build property, residents are able to make use of the fact they have a brand new drainage system, with no wear and tear or blockages. Like buying a new car, your drainage system should be treated with the same care, and maintenance. Getting in the habit of using drainage best practices will improve the longevity of your system for many more years.

This means avoiding flushing items such as; wet wipes, grease, fat, oil, sanitary products, bandages, nappies etc.

If you’re looking into a new build project but first want to ensure a proper drainage system, or have an existing drainage system for a new build property you believe isn’t done correctly, reach out to our team directly and speak to an expert today. Or give us a call on