How to flood-proof your basement
By Fiona Wagner
• Bankrate.com
The next step is to remove all standing water, soaked materials and debris before hosing down, cleaning and rinsing all dirty walls and furnishings. Depending on the severity of the flood, you may have to remove all ceiling tiles and walls that have absorbed water, at least 20 inches above the high-water line. Carpets must be professionally dried within two days while sewage-soaked carpets must be discarded.
"If you have a long flood or a significant sewer back-up, be well prepared to disassemble the basement," adds Fugler. "You can do half-measures and they may seem less expensive at the time, but you're probably going to have moisture and mould problems afterwards."
For more information, read the CMHC's "After
the Flood" checklist for getting started on a post-flood
cleanup.
How to prevent flooding
The unfortunate part is most homeowners don't think about the risks of basement flooding until after the damage is done. Even then, your home insurance policy doesn't always stop you from getting soaked.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, flood-related coverage usually includes damage arising from "sudden and accidental escape of water" from failures of an indoor plumbing system, water heater or water main.
Damage due to floodwater, repeated seepage (such as
that from a foundation crack or unrepaired pipe) or damage arising
from frozen pipes is excluded. That's why it's important to discuss
your policy options with your insurance representative and read
Bankrate Canada's story "When
it rains, it pours" for more information.
That said, there are many preventive steps you can take to stop or lessen the flow of water into your home:
- Position downspouts to extend six feet from basement walls to ensure water doesn't land beside your home's foundation and overload the drainage system.
- Clean debris from eavestroughs regularly to ensure the proper flow of run-off.
- Ensure the grade of your home slopes outward to reduce the amount of water flowing to your home's foundation drainage system (weeping tile) that connects to the municipal main sewer system.
- Consider installing flood-proofing devices such as a sump pump or back flow valve to help prevent water from entering the home. Ensure both are properly installed, maintained and tested to ensure optimal operation.
- When finishing your basement, consider installing impermeable floor or wall finishes, such as ceramic tile, to lessen the potential damage from flooding and to make clean-up easier. Choose area rugs over wall-to-wall carpeting. Think twice about the types of items you store in the basement.
- Seal window wells and any foundation cracks to prevent water seepage.
- Check that the service connection pipes between your home and the municipal sewer main are in good condition and are free of debris or tree roots.
- Review your homeowner insurance with your agent or broker to ensure adequate coverage and keep a detailed inventory of items in the basement.
"Floods are a major event and people are
usually unprepared for them," says Fugler. "If you have
nothing in your basement besides a furnace and washing machine,
a minor flood may not cause any problems besides inconvenience.
But most people have stuff stored in their basement and any sort
of significant flood will affect that."
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