Tips To Keep Water Out Of The Home
Shovel Snow. As the days warm up and the snow in your yard begins the thaw, water near the house will start to pool. When snow is right up against the house it will block any drainage and the water can seep into the foundation of the home. The best way to keep this water out of your home is to move it while it’s still in a solid state. Shovelling around the house so that snow is no longer nestled up to the walls will ensure that those snow mounds melt farther away from the home.
Clear The Gutters. When the snow and ice start to melt off of your roof, the water will be looking for a place to go. If the gutters are full, the water will have nowhere to run off and will instead go under the shingles or will overflow and end up running off right beside the house, leading to water near the foundation of the home. Even if you cleared your gutters of leaves in the fall, they may now be blocked by ice and snow.
Check The Sump Pump. Your sump pump is your best protection against flooding, so make sure it’s in working order. A sump pump with a battery backup is best, as a storm that takes out the electricity will render a regular sump pump useless. To check if your sump pump is working, first ensure the exit pipe that drains water out of the home is clear of debris. Then you can either lift the float of the sump pump so that it turns on for a moment, or you can pour water into the sump pump until the float rises and the sump pump should drain everything away.
Examine The Grounds. Your home and grounds should be designed so that water can drain away from the house. Your yard should be graded to direct water away from the home, but this grading can sometimes be minimized by the elements over time. If your yard no longer has an adequate system to direct runoff, you may want to regrade your lawn by adding more topsoil and strategically raking it for water drain-off. A professional landscaper can help you with this task.
Install Backflow Valves. These valves are installed into the pipes so that water can flow one way and cannot flow back, which limits the risk of any sewage backups. This is best to do when you’re having pipes installed, as it may require going into the cement of the foundation.
Flood-Proof The Basement. If for any reason these precautions don’t work, clearing out your basement or raising items off the ground may help. Don’t keep important or sentimental papers in the basement or if you do, keep them in plastic, tightly sealed containers instead of cardboard boxes. Remove any sentimental items that you wouldn’t want to get wet or contaminated by floodwater, including furniture.
Calgary Flood Damage Cleanup
Sometimes even the most prepared homeowners can still suffer a flood. If this spring brings seasonal flooding for your home, call the restoration experts at 24/7 Restoration to clean up any flood damage. Our Calgary owned and operated business is familiar with the damaging effects of a Calgary spring and we are highly experienced with flood damage clean up. We have extensive experience and state-of-the-art equipment to quickly and effectively clean up your home. When flooding strikes, call 24-7 Restoration at 1-403-247-4365 for swift action. If you have any questions, please contact 24/7 Restoration by filling out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: Is there any way to guarantee my basement won’t flood?
A: The preventive steps above are a great way to reduce the risk of flooding and subsequent flood and water damage, but there’s no way to guarantee. Having the 24/7 Restoration phone number handy is another step for preventing flood damage, as the sooner you call, the sooner the damage can be fixed.
Q: Is it safe to walk through a flooded basement?
A: Never walk through a flooded basement unless the electricity has been turned off in your home. The risk of electrocution is incredibly high. Even if the electricity is turned off, walking through a flooded basement is not safe as the water may be contaminated, and there may be objects in the water that can cause bodily harm.
Q: Why do I need professionals to clean up the flood damage?
A: While you could try to clean up the flood damage yourself, flood water can carry contaminants in it that our 24/7 Restoration cleanup crew is equipped to handle. Having professionals fix the flooding also means that the chance of mold growing from improper cleanup is limited.
