Unnoticed drainage damage from Canterbury Earthquakes

The Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 had a profound and lasting impact on the region, particularly Christchurch. While much of the visible damage has been repaired or rebuilt, homeowners should remain aware of hidden damage that may still be present, especially in earthenware (clay) stormwater and greywater systems, which are common in older properties.

Earthenware piping, commonly used for stormwater and greywater drainage in properties built prior to the 1980s, is especially susceptible to earthquake damage. The shaking from seismic activity can cause cracks, fractures, displacement, or even collapse of these clay pipes. Unfortunately, this type of damage often goes unnoticed and unscoped during initial EQC assessments due to the hidden, underground nature of these systems.

Unaddressed damage to earthenware systems can lead to significant issues, including drainage failures, water pooling around foundations, and increased moisture problems under and around your home. Over time, this can lead to structural deterioration and necessitate costly repairs if left unaddressed.

Given these potential risks, it’s crucial for homeowners, particularly those with older properties, to consider a comprehensive inspection of their stormwater and greywater systems. Professional inspections involving CCTV cameras can identify hidden damage, ensuring necessary repairs are carried out before issues escalate.

By proactively assessing and addressing hidden earthquake damage to earthenware pipes, you can protect your home’s value, maintain structural integrity, and ensure peace of mind for years to come.

Often, if you have the EQC claim numbers and benefits of the claims assigned to you, and no payouts have been made for the earthenware systems, you can consider having these issues covered under the previous EQC claims, which in turn can sometimes give you quite a substantial renovation to your exterior site particularly if the clay piping is under existing hardscaping, decks, driveways, etc. 

Contact Inspected Residential today to get your drainage issues sorted.