Do-it-Yourself Home Flood Prevention

The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic is at the forefront of concerns across Ontario and our country. With warmer temperatures coming (we hope) there is another seasonal risk to prepare for – spring flooding. Extreme weather events like torrential rain can cause spring flash flooding. You may hear insurance professionals reference this as overland water. When we say Overland Water, we are referring to things like flooding caused by rain, overflowing rivers and melting snow.

On top of everything else you are likely dealing with, a flood in your home or business would be an added strain financially and emotionally. By being proactive, there are things you can do to greatly mitigate the risk of suffering the consequences of a flood.

Here are some do-it-yourself ideas to help reduce the risk of flooding in your home or business:

Do-it-yourself for $0!

Outside the home

• Do you have municipal storm drains near your home? Remove debris from nearby storm drains on a regular basis to prevent water build-up on the street that can eventually extend on to your property.
• Have you cleaned your gutters? Remove debris from eaves troughs and downspouts to reduce risk of water overflowing and seeping into your home.

Inside the home

• Is it easy for any water in your basement to get to the floor drain? Clear the space around your floor drain that may be blocking the flow of water to minimize water height during a flood.

Do-it-yourself under $250

Outside the home

• Does the grading around your home drain water away from your home? Fix the grading to minimize the risk of water pooling and seeping into your home.
• Is the length of your downspout on the ground adequate to drain water? Ideally the downspout should be over 6.5 feet from your home. You can purchase extensions to help direct the water away from your home.

Inside the home

• Do you have a water alarm in your basement? Adding a water alarm sensing device in your basement can provide you with early notice of a flood.
• Do you have belongings you care about or that have value close to or on the ground? It is important to store valuable items off the ground. Purchasing waterproof containers and storing those on shelving, at least a foot off the ground, will add great protection for those items.
• Do you have a fuel tank in your basement? Ensure it is secured to the floor so it does not topple and leak as a result of a flood.
• Do you have hazardous materials on the floor in your basement? Hazardous waste spills can greatly increase the cost of clean-up post flood. It is best to follow similar advice to your valuable materials and keep paints, pesticides and other hazardous materials off the floor, in waterproof sealed boxes.

Hire a contractor over $250

• Do you have windows close to ground level or below ground level? Installing covered window wells 6 inches above the ground minimizes the chance of water entering through a lower floor window.
• Does your home have a backwater valve already? In extreme heavy rainfalls it is possible for municipal sewage to backup into your home. Reach out to your municipality to determine if it is worth installing a backwater valve.

You can never completely eliminate the possibility of suffering a flood in your home or business but each step you take will greatly reduce that chance. To see about protecting yourself and your home from the financial damage of a flood, discuss overland protection options with our team of insurance professionals today.