Flash Flood is not new to all countries worldwide. Flash floods are a stronger form of flood caused by intense rainfall. Unlike the usual floods you all know, they are caused by not only heavy rainfalls but can also be caused by broken dams and overflowing lakes. It quickly spreads on roads, homes, buildings, and other places that can occupy water.
Recently, Singapore has experienced a strong overflow of water across the country. The continuous episode of heavy rainfall caused them to close other roadways and caused severe traffic. It even has affected the interior of Singapore’s Bukit Timah plaza. The said rainfall is the next strongest flow recorded for the month. Furthermore, the rainfall recorded on Bukit Panjang Road was the maximum rainfall registered in Singapore in a single day since 1981.
What Causes Flash Floods?
Every rainy season, in many countries, floods and flash floods are a huge problem that affects every resident. It affects people living either in luxurious villages or on the streets. A natural occurrence that no one can neither stop nor avoid.
Flash flood is basically from the word “flash”, the quick response of heavy rainfall. In a short period, the water can increase up to inches depending on the situation. Whether it might be an overflow of lakes or dams, clogged rivers, and water canals, or any water passage that cannot accommodate more water.
In Singapore’s recent flash flood incident, the flood was caused by a clash of winds blowing from the north and the south. Adding too much pressure and water to the clouds has led to heavy downpours. The consistent flow of water to the ground has left not enough room to let the water circulate and flow in other areas causing it to create high levels of floods.
Based on the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) weather and climate scientist, Koh Tieh Yong, when a strong wind from two different directions comes across each other, some of its air is forced upwards. This force of air creates conditions that facilitate the formation of rain clouds, leading to heavy rainfalls.
Flash Floods can also be caused by sewer floodings. Sewer flooding can be caused by several factors, such as clogged pipes or pipe blockages and heavy rainfall. A common reason why it causes floods, either on both public sewers and home drainage pipes, is because of some people who flush personal used items that are not supposed to be flushed. Common items such as feminine napkins, tissue, and baby wipes or newspapers. It stacks together on drainage pipes causing blockages, and flooding.
Flooding of Singapore’s Bukit Timah Plaza
Shoppers from Bukit Timah plaza have posted on social media different angles of the causes of heavy downpours in Singapore. The videos showed the water dripping from the ceiling and wet floors all over the mall.
In a news article by CNA, they mentioned how shop tenants inside were sweeping the wet floors of the mall and using blowers to get the grounds dry. Since there were carpet floors on some areas of the mall, these too were soaked wet because of the heavy rainfall that started from 10:30 am, non-stop.
One of the employees from the plaza also mentioned that one of the ceilings below the escalators had collapsed the same morning. The plaza’s management also decided to stop the escalator from operating due to the damage caused by the flood.
The flood has started to enter the Bukit Timah plaza from the pedestrian walkway nearby. It gradually started from the ceiling of the mall until it eventually collapsed, which had led to more area for water to get inside the mall’s vicinity.
Because of the incident, the National water agency PUB issued flood risk warnings to cover four different locations where water levels in local drains and canals had peaked up to 90 percent. These areas include Upper Bukit Timah Road from Hazel Park Terrace to Chestnut Drive, Kranji Expressway at Woodlands Road exit, Sime Darby Centre, and Sunset Drive/Sunset Way.
What Can I Do to Prevent Leakage in My Home?
Even though you don’t live in as big of a space as the Bukit Timah Plaza or your drainage system is not as wide as the whole country’s, it is still important to keep your interior safe from any water damage. Doing so is preventing leakage. Even, let’s say, you live in a high-rise building, water leakage can cause as great damage as floods.
Water leakage is hard to prevent from houses because there are so many possible passages where water can get through. It can get through walls, floors, and roofs. However, you may think that as of now, there is not much moisture or water penetrating through these places, but take note, that these small amounts of water may be the start to cause bigger damages. This includes molds and structural damages.
Nevertheless, you can worry less if you follow a few simple tips to waterproof your home’s surroundings.
- Repair and inspect the roof
The roof is the primary part of your home that keeps you protected from all weather. Therefore, having a properly maintained roof can help prevent leaks. Try to do roof check-ups especially when rainy days are ahead. Replace parts that need replacements, and, if possible, create a passage for water to get through.
Some households have roof gutters. This gutter catches the water that falls into the roof. This can also catch dried leaves, small branches, and other stuff that falls to the roof. Because it can accommodate both, this causes the gutter to clog. With that in mind, make sure to clean the gutter to get rid of the dirt and prevent the stocked water from getting into your walls and possible interior leaks. - Waterproof foundations
If you can notice small cracks on your walls, you must be quite worried. These small cracks are already an opening for water to cause leakages.
Make sure that you make a full check-up around your house and look for cracks that might need repair. Either it may need minimal repairs like using seals or hydraulic cement, or a complete wall restoration. - Leak Proof your doors and windows
Doors and windows are easily accessed by heavy rainfalls, especially for houses that have high windows and are near the ground. For windows and doors, weather stripping seals are used to prevent water from entering your home. This is also used in other countries that experience snow.
This is also done not only to protect your home from leakage, but this can also be helpful to improve thermal efficiency. - Inspect the plumbing system
You might wonder how water is getting inside your house after everything else is fixed. Maybe you should start considering checking on your pipes. These pipes are where your water flows all over your house. These are connected to your kitchen sink, toilet bowls, bathtub, and other areas where there is access to water.
Restoration for plumbing may cost a lot when not fixed early. To avoid further expenses, replace damaged or rusty pipes that can no longer withstand more water flow, including old valves, as soon as possible. - Find a water restoration expert
In instances that you have no other way to solve leakage issues at home. There are available water leakage professionals that can come in handy. These people will fix the problem for you. They can also guide you to simple and practical tips on how to make your house leakproof.
Waterproofing your home as early as possible is the best way to prevent leakage, which eventually may cause more trouble. If you have no idea how to fix the damages on your own, you are always free to seek help from professionals. This is also great if you need further assistance on how to find minimal leaks around the house on your own.
M3M: “The Leakage Expert”
M3 Multiservices Pte Ltd is a professional waterproofing and coating company and has been providing customers with works in construction, waterproofing, and other general contract work. The company has always maintained high standard services for the past 9 years.
M3M offers an on-site analysis to figure out the solutions that will best suit the needs of your property. Aside from waterproofing, the company also offers other services such as painting and coating, minor works in construction, and other general contract work, to ensure that ceiling leaks will not be a problem for a long time.
Up to this date, M3M is one of the leading waterproofing companies who is specialized in various waterproofing solutions based in Singapore. M3M always makes sure to provide the best services by using advanced and high-quality technology that can help give their clients the service that they deserve.