Are you looking for ways to protect your home’s value long-term?
Like most homeowners, you probably focus on kitchens, bathrooms and curb appeal. But there’s one area of your home that most people don’t even think about…
Your drainage system.
If not taken care of properly, poor drainage can cause serious damage to your property from the ground up. For example, recent data shows that just ONE inch of water in your average home can lead to upwards of $25,000 in damages.
That’s insane.
The good news is that drainage upgrades are some of the best investments you can make as a homeowner. Not only do they protect your property and prevent thousands of dollars in repairs – but they add serious value over the long-term.
Let’s dig in…
What you’ll learn:
- Why Poor Drainage Hurts Home Values
- The Importance of Drain Defect Detection
- 5x Smart Drainage Upgrades That Add Value
- How To Prioritise Your Home Drainage Upgrades
Why Poor Drainage Hurts Home Values
Poor drainage is a huge red flag for potential home buyers. Nobody wants to buy a house with water pooling around the foundations or mouldy walls. Water damage is a nightmare selling point during any home inspection.
Here’s the thing…
Once water starts accumulating around the property, it causes thousands of dollars of damage in cracks, structural failures and mould issues. Over time, these damages become impossible to ignore… they drastically lower your home’s value and won’t even sell.
Need more proof?
Nearly 28% of all homeowners insurance claims are made for water damage and freezing. That’s the SECOND most common property damage claim. The majority of these claims could’ve been prevented by keeping your home’s drainage system in working order.
Start With Drain Defect Detection
Before you start investing in drainage upgrades, it’s smart to know the current condition of your home’s system.
That’s where drain defect detection comes in.
Drain defect detection surveys are how you can know for sure what problems lie within your system. The most common way of doing this is by using cctv drain surveys. These surveys allow professionals to pinpoint exactly where issues are stemming from using specialised CCTV technology that goes inside your pipes.
It’s like giving your drains an MOT.
If you don’t know what problems you need to address, you’re shooting in the dark with your upgrades. Homeowners often overlook underlying issues by throwing money at things like landscaping and garden paths.
Professional surveys give you and your contractor a birds-eye view of what problems need priority. You’ll know what to focus on and what you can leave till later.
Smart right? Let’s dig into some upgrades you can start making today.
5x Drainage Upgrades That Add Serious Value To Your Home
These home drainage upgrades provide long-lasting value by preventing expensive repairs down the road and keeping your property safe from water damage. Not only will your property be protected year-round but these upgrades offer great value to potential buyers in the future.
Upgrade Your Home’s Drainage Pipes
Older style drain pipes like clay or cast iron are huge problems. They can easily break or collapse with damage over time. Replacing them with new PVC or HDPE piping is one of the best things you can do.
New piping won’t have issues with tree roots and lasts significantly longer. Upgrading your drains won’t just prevent common failures. It’ll save you money on utilities and maintenance too.
Long story short, new piping means you won’t have to worry about nasty water backups or pipe damage for many years to come.
Install a French Drain
French drains are an excellent way to prevent groundwater build-up around the property. By installing a french drain, you can redirect excess water away from your home and minimize the chances of structural water damage.
French drains work by collecting water in a perforated pipe that guides the water away from your house. No pumps, expensive installations or crippling electricity bills. If you live on sloped land or in a heavy rainfall area, invest in a french drain.
Fix Or Replace Your Guttering and Downpipes
This one is an easy fix. But a lot of homeowners look over their guttering when it comes to drainage.
Old or broken guttering can cause rainwater to pour down your walls and pool around the foundations. Leading to:
- Damaged Exterior Walls
- Foundation Erosion
- Discoloured Brickwork
Investing in new gutter systems means your home can properly divert rain away from the property. It’s a cheap upgrade that can pay off in multiple ways.
Install Soakaways & Attenuation Tanks
Soakaways allow surface water to pool and slowly disperse away from the home. They help with excess rainwater from rooftops, patios and driveway runoff. Attenuation tanks work very similarly, but can store higher volumes of water and release it over time.
Most people don’t even realise these systems are installed. But when flooding occurs, they’re a homeowner’s best friend.
Upgrade Your Inspection Chambers
Older inspection chambers can often become damaged or cracked over years of use. Once damaged, they allow soil, leaves and tree roots to infiltrate your drainage system.
By upgrading your inspection chambers, you make it easier for future drain surveys and maintenance. It’s a quick upgrade that can save you thousands in the long run.
How To Know Which Upgrade To Prioritise
If you’re reading this, you likely have some drainage issues. That’s ok! Not every homeowner will need to do everything on this list. You should always start with a drain defect detection survey to see what you’re working with.
Here’s what to do:
- Get a professional drainage survey
- Conduct any urgent repairs like cracked pipes
- Upgrade old pipework and gutters
- Add preventative measures (french drains / soakaways)
- Schedule yearly maintenance checks
The survey will let you know what you need to prioritise most. By working through these steps, you can ensure you’re spending money wisely. Every upgrade builds off of the previous one.
Wrapping It All Up
Home drainage really is one of the most overlooked home upgrades. By keeping it maintained and handling problems quickly, homeowners can save a lot of money and stress. Water damage is no joke. And making sure your home can deal with heavy rains and surface water is critical.
Don’t forget to prioritise drain defect detection before making any rash decisions.
Once again, here’s your takeaway:
- Get a drain defect survey ASAP
- Fix serious defects as soon as possible
- Upgrade old drains and gutters
- Install prevention systems
- Conduct regular surveys
They may not be the most glamorous home improvements. But taking care of your drainage will save you thousands. Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll make. Don’t neglect the important stuff!
