Built on a floodplain, Brisbane is highly vulnerable to flash flooding. Three of the most significant flood events in Brisbane occurred in 1974, 2011 and 2022. 

During the 2011 floods, 94 suburbs were impacted which is more than 20% of all Brisbane suburbs. In 2022, the unprecedented “rain bomb” impacted 68% of Brisbane suburbs, with 23,200 residential homes and commercial properties reported to have experienced flood damage.

So with a history like this, it’s important to understand the ways your Brisbane property may have been affected by flood waters. Some damage can be plainly seen such as water marks on the walls, internal plasterboard walls falling apart, or warped wood flooring. Some damage can be smelled including the presence of mould or musty mud. 

But as John Salmon from Salmon Plumbing explains, it’s the damage you can’t see that may cause you the biggest headaches.

How Flooding Can Affect Your Plumbing

Shifting foundations

The biggest risk to your plumbing during a flooding event is shifting foundations. Saturated soil can move, causing your home’s foundations to move, too. Not only is this a safety risk, but it can also lead to cracked and broken pipes. Additionally, stagnating flood water can cause indoor slabs and topsoil to absorb more water and the extra weight can crush underground plumbing systems. Left unchecked, you run the risk of serious structural damage to your property.   

Damaged piping

Flash flooding often carries floating debris that can collide with exposed pipes, loosening or completely disengaging connections, or causing the pipes to break. Damage to external and internal pipes can lead to leaks, blockages, and drainage problems. 

Clogged drains

In addition to floating debris, floodwaters can contain sediment, sewage and other contaminants that can cause drains to clog. If the clog is not resolved, this can lead to unpleasant odours, slow draining water, and over time, an accumulation of water that causes leaking pipes. The longer it goes untreated, the heftier the repair costs will be.  

Damaged or contaminated plumbing fixtures

If flood water enters your property, it can wreak havoc on plumbing fixtures. Not only can floating debris damage or break fixtures, contaminated floodwater can pose significant health risks. Some fixtures may need replacing. Others may need to be disassembled so that all the parts can be properly cleaned and disinfected. This can safeguard against mould growth. 

Get a professional opinion

If your home has been exposed to floodwaters or you suspect it may have been before you owned it, it makes sense to have a plumbing professional assess your plumbing system for possible hidden problems. A proactive approach can save you a future repair nightmare.  


About the author

  
This contribution is by John Salmon, master plumber, entrepreneur and founder of Salmon Plumbing. John’s dedication to advancing industry practices, advocating plumber conditions and standards and actively pursuing sustainability in plumbing has seen him recognised with the 2023 Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) President’s Award. His passion for energy and water-efficient solutions designed for lasting impact, paired with a commitment to customer service, compliance and excellence at the core of his business model since 1991, ensures John’s place as one of Brisbane’s trusted residential and commercial plumbers.  Read John Salmon’s expert profile in full here.