Is your home located near a waterlogged area?

 Is your home located near a waterlogged area?

The initial joy of monsoon is often overshadowed by the dread of waterlogging.  This year was no different with various areas across the country experiencing severe waterlogging and flooding, thus shifting the focus once again to homebuyers’ due diligence before purchasing a property.  While the reasons for waterlogging are plenty, one of the easiest ways to avoid it is by paying extra attention during the homebuying process.

Thus, before buying a home, conducting a preliminary check is important.  For starters, speak to people residing in the locality and scout through newspapers to see if any water logging or flooding incidents were reported in the recent years.

Proper drainage systems:

Ensure the area has effective drainage systems to prevent waterlogging.  This includes well-constructed storm-water drains, regular cleaning and maintenance and features like slope gradients;

Waterproofing:

Confirm with the builder if high-quality waterproofing materials were used during construction, which are important to protect buildings from water ingress.  This includes waterproof membranes, sealants, and coatings applied to walls, roofs and foundations;

Elevated plinth levels:

Buildings with elevated plinth levels help minimise the risk of water entering the living spaces during flooding or heavy rains.  Verify if this feature is in place.

Landscaping and green infrastructure:

Look for green infrastructure such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and retention ponds, which help absorb excess water and reduce surface runoff, thereby mitigating the risk of waterlogging.

Be ready for emergency:

Check if there are emergency response plans and necessary resources such as sandbags, pumps, and emergency evacuation routes, which can help residents mitigate the impact of waterlogging during extreme weather events.

Do not compromise:

Homebuyers come with varied budgets in mind.  At times, when a home fits their budget, they are compelled to buy a home in that area.  “Usually, the water-logging issues persist only for a few weeks or a month at the most; the rest of the year goes by without any problem like this.  I am not implying that it is a comfortable stay or that I am used to issues such as waterlogging.  On the contrary, it becomes difficult to drop my child off to school as there is a large waterlogged pool right in front of our main gate.  Even going to the office becomes quite difficult as I have to move my vehicle around to avoid it being damaged due to the water.  That being said, when I purchased the home, I was running short on budget and as my home is close to the railway station, this was a deal I did not want to let go of.  Additionally, I wasn’t informed about this aspect when I purchased the home back in 2012; this issue came up during the monsoons of the following year, in 2013.  Real estate agents must practice transparency when it comes to issues such as these.”  “Look for signs of poor drainage, such as standing water in the yard, water stains on the foundation, and the presence of sump pumps or French drains, which signal recurring water problems.”  The best that one can do is to visit the site during monsoons to identify cracks, seepages or other drainage-related issues within the flat.