Protect Your Property from Spring Floods

If you felt like this winter was one of the coldest that we have ever seen in the Greater Toronto area, you’re not wrong. It was a bitterly cold winter with record breaking lows right across the country. Now that spring has officially arrived, we’re all ready to pack up the parkas and start enjoying some time outside.

Before you get too far into the celebration of spring, it’s important to know that we’re not out of the woods yet. The big “spring thaw” often brings a lot of rain with it, and that can leave conditions ripe for some serious flooding. To avoid spending part of the season searching for a flood restoration company in Toronto, here are a few things you can do to protect your property.

One Last Trip Outside to Shovel

We get it, everybody is tired of moving snow around, but it’s important to move the lingering snow and ice away from your property, especially around the windows. While you’re at it, see if accumulated snow is blocking any of the storm drains near your property and clear them. Everything that can be done to keep water from gathering in places where it can get into your house will help.

Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clear

Leaves and other debris can block your gutters and downspouts, preventing them from doing the important job of keeping water away from your house. This is especially true if you didn’t get around to cleaning the gutters in the fall. Clearing these areas now will help to keep the water flowing away as it should. If you’re not comfortable taking on this task yourself, it’s relatively inexpensive to have your gutters professional cleaned.

Move Valuable Items Upstairs

The basement often ends up being the catch-all space for stuff that we can’t find a “home” for in the house. Know that if flood conditions strike, this will be the first area of the house that is affected. Consider moving valuable items to higher ground to keep them from being permanently damaged in the event of a flood.

Check Your Sump Pump

If your home is equipped with a sump pump, make sure it’s functioning properly. You can do this by slowly pouring some water into the crock to ensure the pump turns on. If your home is not equipped with a sump pump, consider having one installed. The City of Toronto has a program offering rebates under the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program.

Be on the Lookout for Water Main Breaks

The rapid freeze and thaw cycles that are a fact of nature in early spring are also responsible for a number of water main breaks. If you see signs of a water main break, like a river of water coming up from the ground on your street, be a good neighbour and call the city to report it right away.

Doing everything you can to prevent flood damage is the first step to enjoying a happy spring!