Threats from wind and water

Threats from Wind and Water

In the Caribbean, our greatest persistent threats are from wind and water.

If our recent experiences with Irma and Maria are a guide to our future, then it is time to reassess the way in which we address large volumes of water combined with extreme winds.

That, on the face of it, would appear to be a regional decision, replete with specialists and agencies, discussions and initiatives. While the big concepts are being discussed, we all have an active role to play in our personal future and our sense of security.

A little bad weather always brings a to-do list in its wake. The list is packed full of adjustments; a little leak here and a lock missing there. “We will put in a drain next year”, “that culvert is always blocking up” and “when will they clear that drain?”
We have all heard the cries or made them.

Driving rain and storm winds turn the list and the comments to critical necessities, as extreme weather exacerbates every simple problem.

The discharging of roof and surface water to safe locations,
is the root of a water management plan for your property.

Without it, erosion, destabilisation, rot and rust become commonplace. It is also the first branch of a critical network of channels, to allow expected and unexpected flow increases to safely be dispersed, without risk to persons or property.

As a Regional manufacturer and supplier of quality building materials, ECMIL provides the best possible roof sheeting material, in Colorbond® and Zincalume® steel, to combat heat, wind and rain. Combined with these tried and ‘super tested’ products, are premium industry standard fixtures and accessories, these have had vast global success. However, we recommend that this is only the beginning of a much greater plan, to successfully manage and control water, to keep it away from your home.

ECMIL offers attractive aluminium guttering and connectors, either as a complete new system for your home, or a well needed addition or replacement, which can easily connect with your existing PVC pipes.

There are many advantages to aluminium guttering, including simple installation, reliability and non-rust durability, CastleClad® easy-clean finish and attractive styling, which will enhance your home.

Once you have taken care of you roof water, your external drains should be cleaned, rebuilt or patched and four inch PVC pipe with 90 degree elbows installed, to avoid erosion, when exiting your property. into storm drains.

The second link of a greater water management is your vigilance regarding the condition of public drain, where your water connects. Someone else’s responsibility? Yes. Yours, if it is blocked? Definitely. It’s your connection to the bigger plan, so be proactive, if you need help, find those who are also affected and clear it together. Storms don’t differentiate about responsibility, as they cause floods!

It is a fact that we cannot design for every possible natural occurrence, but, as the only creature on earth who generates huge quantities of garbage, only to have no all-encompassing plan to successfully and permanently remove what we generate, cleanliness is the first responder.

From plastic bags and containers to cut grass and garden refuse, simple everyday items, when gathered together in a drain, spell disaster. These blockages are often overlooked in the dry season, only to create mayhem during
a simple tropical storm.  They also invite vermin, infection and hindrance in post storm reconstruction.

We can learn to live and work with the extremes of weather which we now encounter,
but we must do so together, with better, wider plans, better materials and better habits.

We invite you to review our products and your own home requirements, then contact us at ECMIL to discover how we can enhance your weather plan and your home’s long term security.