Damp or wet ground

Causes

Unusual rain event

Site unable to cope with heavy rain runoff

High water table

Leaking drain, stormwater drain, water supply pipe, underground water tank

Water seeping from adjacent property from leaking drain, water pipe, stormwater

Natural runoff from adjacent property

Blocked drain, gully trap

Blocked stormwater drain

Overflowing on-site stormwater or potable water storage tanks

Common

Listed under: plumbing, pipes, drains, Section, moisture, leaks

Cause

Unusual rain event

Repair

  • allow the site to dry naturally, improve site drainage

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Cause

Site unable to cope with heavy rain runoff

Repair

  • install perforated drainage pipes in the ground to improve drainage; drain into the stormwater system

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Cause

High water table

Repair

  • install perforated drainage pipes in the ground to improve drainage; drain into the stormwater system

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Cause

Leaking drain, stormwater drain, water supply pipe, underground water tank

Repair

  • identify the source and location of the leak. Make a permanent repair, or call a licensed or certifying plumber to make permanent repair. Work on waste pipes and drains must by law be carried out by a licensed or certifying plumber

  • establish whether the leak is likely to be a one-off problem or stems from old deteriorated pipework/drains. If the latter, discuss potential long-term solutions with a licensed or certifying plumber or NZIBS building surveyor

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Cause

Water seeping from adjacent property from leaking drain, water pipe, stormwater

Repair

  • confirm that water is coming from a leak on the adjacent property, alert the owner of the property to the problem and ask them to fix it

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Cause

Natural runoff from adjacent property

Repair

  • confirm that surface water originating from adjacent property, alert the owner of the property to the problem and ask them to fix it

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Cause

Blocked drain, gully trap

Repair

  • identify the location of the blockage. Make a permanent repair, or call a licensed or certifying plumber to make permanent repair. Work on waste pipes and drains must by law be carried out by a licensed or certifying plumber

  • establish whether the blockage is likely to be an ongoing problem from old deteriorated pipework/drains, tree roots blocking the drain or some other cause. If this is the case, discuss potential long-term solutions with a licensed or certifying plumber or NZIBS building surveyor

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Cause

Blocked stormwater drain

Repair

  • locate and clear blockages

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Cause

Overflowing on-site stormwater or potable water storage tanks

Repair

  • check reason for overflowing (insufficient capacity, blocked overflow) – ensure storage tanks have an overflow to permitted stormwater drain or natural watercourse

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