With spring just around the corner, it’s a good idea to inspect your home for any damage that may have occurred over the winter months.
This is also the time of year to prepare your home for potential rain storms and help reduce the risk of basement flooding.
Here’s a checklist to get you started on the road to flood proofing your home.
- Inspect your walls, doors, windows, floors and foundations for any cracks or leaks, and make repairs.
- Ensure downspouts are disconnected and drain water properly away from the basement and foundation walls (also check to make sure your downspout does not drain directly onto neighbouring properties, lanes or sidewalks).
- Clean out your eaves troughs and window wells and check for leaks.
- Consider soft-surface landscaping that allows stormwater to soak into the ground away from your home.
- Examine the grading of your property. The ideal is for your property to slope away from the house for at least two to three metres.
- Inspect your home’s flood-proofing devices, such as sump pumps, floor drains or backwater valves, to make sure they’re working properly.
- When in doubt, contact a professional such as a licensed plumber or drainage contractor.
- Make sure your home insurance policy is up-to-date and that you are familiar with the type of flood damages covered under your policy.
