Protect Your Home From Spring Flooding
Spring is on the way, and here in Canada that means snow melt - a lot of it. While it's a welcome sight for many, the combination of melting snow, glacier melt in the mountains, and rain can all potentially cause flood damage to your home.
To help prevent that from happening to your home this spring, we've put together a list of tips:
Determine Your Risk
First things first, it's important to take a survey of your home and surroundings and determine what your risk level is.
Is your yard full of snow? Do you live near a waterway such as a lake, or river, or in the valley of high mountain ranges? These are only some of the factors that may make you more susceptible to flooding.
Move Snow Away From Your Foundation
Move any snow away from your home and foundation to prevent the snow melt from seeping in through any cracks in the foundation. Aim for a clearing of at least 3 feet away from your home.
Check Your Sump Pump
Test your sump pump regularly, especially prior to the spring thaw. It's also a good idea to have a back-up battery or generator in case of a power outage during a storm. Installation of a backwater valve on a municipal system can prevent sewer back-up from flooding your basement.
Ensure Downspouts Are at Appropriate Angles
Make sure that downspouts on gutters are directed away from your home. Downspouts that discharge too close to your foundation can cause water to pool, leading to potential leaks into your home.
Clear Away Debris
As the snow melts or heavy spring rain falls debris in your window wells or storm drains can prevent proper drainage. Make sure these areas are cleared of old leaves, sticks, and other debris from the fall.
Have a CAHPI Home Inspector Investigate Your Home
We generally think of hiring a home inspector during the home buying or selling process, but home inspectors can provide valuable insight at other times as well. A CAHPI home inspector can investigate and identify any potential vulnerabilities where water may enter the home. Find a CAHPI Home Inspector in your area here.
Flooding which occurs from either rain or snow melt can cause significant damage to your property. The physical damage can put a financial strain on your budget in addition to the time and effort required to resolve and restore your home back to the way it was. Following the above flood prevention tips will help you avoid a disastrous situation.
