ᐅ Heavy Rain Protection – Practical DIY Ideas and Experience Sharing
Created on: 21 Jul 2016 23:34
H
hfechtGoal: Exchange/collection of good (DIY) ideas against heavy rain / intense downpours (not primarily focusing on flood-prone areas – e.g., along the Rhine, etc.)
What do you consider to be the typical weak points?
Light wells, basement stairwells, underground garage entrances,
ground-level front doors / patio doors
What solutions have you found or implemented for your weak points? DIY or purchased? For example, light well covers, raising the edge of the light well, do you use pumps (how are they controlled?), ...
How do you assess the need and feasibility of ideas such as a water detector in the light well or a sensor for the “water level” of small streams/sewage channels near the house/property?
Thank you very much and enjoy the exchange
Holger
What do you consider to be the typical weak points?
Light wells, basement stairwells, underground garage entrances,
ground-level front doors / patio doors
What solutions have you found or implemented for your weak points? DIY or purchased? For example, light well covers, raising the edge of the light well, do you use pumps (how are they controlled?), ...
How do you assess the need and feasibility of ideas such as a water detector in the light well or a sensor for the “water level” of small streams/sewage channels near the house/property?
Thank you very much and enjoy the exchange
Holger
We have experienced damage caused by flooding on our property because a small creek just before our house flows into an underground sewer (about 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in diameter). During heavy rain, a flood wave about 50 cm (20 inches) high formed on the property. As a result, water rushed in through two basement windows/cellars, as well as under the raised front door, which is elevated by 10 cm (4 inches), getting past the door seal (the door was not forced open).
At first, we considered building a wall on the property to contain the creek. However, using barriers or protective covers for the windows and front door seems less complicated and more practical.
What do you think about the idea of installing a rain/water level sensor at the sewer/creek that triggers an alarm when the water rises? This could be a simple bell to notify the residents.
Since there are 4 households living in our building, it is quite likely that at least one party is always at home to respond in an emergency (heavy rain is noticeable, but it is uncertain whether the creek rises during nighttime...) by securing the front door and basement stairs/windows.
At first, we considered building a wall on the property to contain the creek. However, using barriers or protective covers for the windows and front door seems less complicated and more practical.
What do you think about the idea of installing a rain/water level sensor at the sewer/creek that triggers an alarm when the water rises? This could be a simple bell to notify the residents.
Since there are 4 households living in our building, it is quite likely that at least one party is always at home to respond in an emergency (heavy rain is noticeable, but it is uncertain whether the creek rises during nighttime...) by securing the front door and basement stairs/windows.
We have already experienced problems with heavy rain, so on the affected side of the house, we installed two window wells with special rainproof covers featuring raised ventilation slots.
Additionally, on this side of the house, the landscape gardener installed a gravel-filled drainage channel extending up to three meters (10 feet) to the property boundary. This allows larger amounts of water to infiltrate better and, in case of emergency, directs the runoff away from the house toward the front garden.
These two measures have proven effective over the past two years, and we have had no further problems.
Additionally, on this side of the house, the landscape gardener installed a gravel-filled drainage channel extending up to three meters (10 feet) to the property boundary. This allows larger amounts of water to infiltrate better and, in case of emergency, directs the runoff away from the house toward the front garden.
These two measures have proven effective over the past two years, and we have had no further problems.
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