A solution to water logging in apartment premises
Water logging is a common problem in apartments, especially during heavy rain. If remained unchecked, water logging can have serious implications including weakening the foundation of the entire building. You need to take steps to prevent water logging before the monsoon sets. Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) can play a vital role with PWD or Municipal Corporation to improve the drainage system in the area or locality and avoid water logging problems.
The Key reason for water logging
Stormwater: During heavy rainfall, water may enter your premises due to improper stormwater management in your locality or Stormwater outlets are choked by encroachment, dumping of garbage or silt. Ensure the de silting of the storm water drains are done in your neighborhood and taken measures to eliminate the cause of flooding.
Basement flooding: Common problem in the apartment during monsoon is basement flooding and this may be due to municipal storm and drain sewers gets overloaded or due to improper downspouts.
Improper rainwater harvesting: Some apartments have successfully installed rainwater harvesting system, but they are improperly managed.
Solution for water logging issues
Downspout extensions: This helps to disperse rainwater away from your foundation. Using downspout extensions and good stormwater management can work to prevent basement flooding. Installation of a proper drainage system can offer a complete solution for all apartment water logging issues.
Dry well: A Dry well is one of the most basic drainage systems that can be useful to counter water logging economically. Standing water flows to the dry well which can be filled with gravel to make sure water does not seep back into the yard. Dry wells are usually 3 to 4 feet in depth and are covered with a landscape fabric to make it appear common with the surrounding areas. Any water accumulating in the yard would automatically flow to the dry well keeping the outdoor areas clean, dry and free from water logging.
French Drain: If you are unable to find the slope of the yard and the lowest point to dig a dry well, the next best solution is to make a French drain. French drain needs adequate study of the elevation and slope of any yard to determine the lowest point of the area. Once the lowest point is established, a trench must be minimum one foot in depth. French drain is best filled with sand and gravel. A layer of sawdust and sand must be topped off at the top of the trench to make it more functional. French drain is far more effective fro largest areas compared to dry wells.
Sump Pump: Sump pump, as the same suggests, is an effective pump that drains out any excess water from the water logged area. Sump pumps can be either automatic or manual depending on their constituents. The accumulated water is drained out through sump pump which works as with a vacuum action suckling the excess water through special pipes. The water sucked by the sump pump is then routed to dry wells or a storm drain, leaving the area free from any water logging. Sump pumps are effectively used during monsoon season when water logging is far more prevalent and frequent due to excessive rains.
Rain Gardens: It reduces rain runoff by allowing storm-water to soak into the ground. Rain gardens work best when constructed in well-drained or sandy soils. It has no risk of getting blocked and better than having storm water drains. Residential complex, campuses, public buildings etc are ideal for rain gardens. In cities, with the rise in high-rise building, residential apartments can play a vital role in adopting the system to capture storm water and can contribute to less water logging in the city.
