Spring Flood Prevention

When spring arrives, it sometimes brings the perfect conditions for flooding. The combination of heavy rainfall, snow and ice melting and frozen ground can produce large amounts of runoff in a short period of time, overflowing bodies of water and flooding homes. As we experience more extreme weather conditions, the risk of damage from spring flooding is on the rise. Just last year, a total of 17,494 dwellings in Canada were flooded or were at risk of flooding (Statistics Canada).

The best way to protect yourself and your home is to be proactive. Follow these 5 tips to help prevent your home from flooding this spring.

Learn From the Past

If your house has leaked before, it will likely leak again. Before the heavy rains and melting snow find their way into your home, make sure you repair any cracks in your walls or foundation that have previously caused flooding.

Clear Out Debris

Built up debris in your gutters, eavestroughs and window wells can keep water from draining away from your home properly. Keep these areas free from debris and build-up before heavy rain comes.

Get Your Pump Ready

Make sure your sump pump is ready to go before the storm hits. Test your sump pump regularly and make sure you have a battery or back-up power source in case your power goes out in a storm. In addition to having a sump pump, installing a back-water valve will prevent flooding from sewer back-up.

Check For Leaks From Above

Damaged shingles or worn out skylights can be an easy entry point for water during a storm. Inspect your roof to make sure you don’t get water damage from a leaky roof.

Give the Water Somewhere to Go
Make sure that you have methods in place to direct water away from your home. If you notice water pooling around your home, try getting your yard re-graded, using downspout extensions, installing a foundation drain tile or removing plant debris that can prevent soil from draining properly.