A lot of planning goes into designing a commercial building. Without proper preparation, many things can go wrong. Commercial properties often face drainage issues that lead to flooding, vegetation loss, soil erosion, and structure damage. This type of problem often originates from improper site development. However, this mistake can be avoided with accurate land surveying during the planning stages. The following guide outlines some common commercial property drainage problems to beware of.

What Causes Drainage Issues In Commercial Buildings?

1. Drainage Obstructions

Commercial lots often have natural drainage channels that develop over time as rainwater finds its way downhill. The last thing you want to do is to obstruct these pathways with manmade structures, like storage buildings, flower beds, berms, and other landscaping elements. 

Proper planning can help you avoid installing these obstructions in problematic areas. Hire a land surveying company to identify natural channels. Site developers can also help you place designed paths throughout the building plans. The better drainage you have, the fewer problems with flooding and erosion you'll face.

2. Blocked Drains

Food service companies deal with an enormous amount of waste, including fat, oil, and grease (FOG). You must keep as much FOG out of your sewage system as possible. Otherwise, these substances can collect along the insides of the drain pipes and cause wastewater to back up into your facility. 

Always install a grease trap, if necessary. This device removes fat, oil, and grease from plumbing after they've been flushed down the sink but before they reach the sewer line. Monitor the trap and have it professionally cleaned once it is one-quarter full.

3. Faulty Grading

The grade of your commercial property refers to the slope at which the land falls away from the building. It should be steep enough to encourage swift water flow away from the structure's foundation.

Unfortunately, some lots have faulty grading, which means the land around the building has a shallow or level grade. It might even slope back toward the building. This can lead to expensive foundation damage, inconvenient puddling, and soil erosion that damages plants and spreads dirt across your hardscaping. Proper planning and hiring an experienced land surveying company at the start of the project can help you avoid these types of issues.

If you need land surveying to ensure proper site development, reach out to Berling Engineering in Covington, KY. They serve commercial and municipal clients throughout Kenton County, northern Kentucky, and the surrounding areas. They specialize in construction, topographic, and boundary surveys, as well as site development and utility mapping. They are known for their professionalism, accuracy, and meticulous customer care. Learn more online, or call (859) 331-9191 to discuss your land surveying needs.