(NC) Your home is your castle. But rather than building a moat around your sanctuary, your focus should be on how to keep water from rain, melting snow and flooding out of it. Climate-driven disasters are very stressful events. Insurers like Aviva Canada have been looking at new ways to help minimize the impact on Canadians and help their homes become more resilient against climate change.
Here are four ways to prevent water from invading your castle.
Interior inspection
Before winter arrives, you should inspect your roof to make sure there aren’t any missing shingles or gaps in the flashing around the chimney. If you can’t safely do it yourself, contact a local roofing company for an inspection and to make any necessary repairs. Inspect all windows, exterior doors and other openings (dryer vents, garden faucets, etc.) to make sure they are properly sealed with caulking.
Clean your eaves
Your eavestroughs and downspouts are essential fixtures that protect your home from water damage. At least twice a year (spring and fall) you should clear any leaves and other debris that gather in them to ensure the water can flow freely. The end of each downspout should be located at least four feet (1.2 metres) from the foundation. Make sure the water coming out of it flows away from the building. If not, you’ll need to regrade the soil so that it does.
To minimize build-up, consider installing gutter guards on your eavestroughs to block anything from clogging them.
In winter, don’t allow snow to build up against the foundation. This will help prevent flooding if there’s a rapid snowmelt in spring.
Equip for success
If you don’t already have one, consider installing a backwater valve. These devices prevent sewer water from flooding into your house through the main drain if there’s a clog on the sewage line. If your home has a sump pump, make sure it has a backup battery system so it can continue working even if the power goes out.
Get help with improvements
Both older and new homes could benefit from some renovation projects that help improve resiliency against flooding. Fortunately, you may not have to foot the entire bill yourself – many municipalities across Canada offer subsidies for eligible improvements. Some projects that could be covered in addition to a backwater valve and sump pump installation include downspout disconnection and disconnection of foundation drains (weeping tiles) from the municipal system. Check in with your local municipality for details.
Find more flood-prevention tips at aviva.ca.
