31st October 2010
It was raining heavily last night. The news today even report that a few places were hit by flash floods. However, we never thought that the bad weather would have effect on us as well.
The story began when my wife was about to take her shower. She then heard a dripping sound and she began checking for loose taps but to no avail. She looked closer and noticed that the sink counter was wet. She looked up - and to her horror, the dripping sound actually comes from the ceiling!
She immediately called me; I was just about to finish up dinner with the kids downstairs. I ran upstairs and was surprised by what I saw. We began to wonder, is there a hole in the roof? Then my wife went into the study room and saw the water was dripping there as well.
Okay, we thought. Two holes in the roof is unlikely... there must be another reason.
It was raining heavily last night. The news today even report that a few places were hit by flash floods. However, we never thought that the bad weather would have effect on us as well.
The story began when my wife was about to take her shower. She then heard a dripping sound and she began checking for loose taps but to no avail. She looked closer and noticed that the sink counter was wet. She looked up - and to her horror, the dripping sound actually comes from the ceiling!
She immediately called me; I was just about to finish up dinner with the kids downstairs. I ran upstairs and was surprised by what I saw. We began to wonder, is there a hole in the roof? Then my wife went into the study room and saw the water was dripping there as well.
Okay, we thought. Two holes in the roof is unlikely... there must be another reason.
While we were trying to figure out the house plan - trying to check out the plumbing connections, etc. - my maid informed that there was also water dripping downstairs outside the kitchen area.
Then it struck me. Above that is our first floor balcony. I immediately opened the door and was alarmed after seeing a mini pool. Apparently the drain hole was covered by debris (it's amazing how a thin piece of plastic can almost halt the water flow). After clearing it up, I realise something else; the drain hole is the same as the ones installed at our concrete gutter. Our logical conclusion: the gutter is blocked and the heavy rain worsens the problem even more.
Then it struck me. Above that is our first floor balcony. I immediately opened the door and was alarmed after seeing a mini pool. Apparently the drain hole was covered by debris (it's amazing how a thin piece of plastic can almost halt the water flow). After clearing it up, I realise something else; the drain hole is the same as the ones installed at our concrete gutter. Our logical conclusion: the gutter is blocked and the heavy rain worsens the problem even more.
To check on the problem, I called my contractor this morning and he sent his "roof man" to the rescue. Our theory was right, the drain pipe was covered with debris. It took the single worker almost 2 hours to finish up cleaning and thankfully the gutter is now good as new.
Check out the before & after picture below. Notice the drain hole?
We learned a lesson. Have the gutter checked, at least twice a year. I'll put that in my reminder, definitely!
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