Spring Melt: Help Protect your Home from Water Damage

Environment Canada is predicting rising temperatures and rain for many regions in the coming days and weeks. While most Canadians are ready to welcome the spring and warmer temperatures, we should also remember it may come with potential risks. The combination of heavy snow accumulation that occurred in many parts of the country this winter and a rapid thaw could result in significant water flow, leading to potential moisture intrusion, water damage and even localized flooding. Here are a few tips from Allstate to help protect your home and family: Now: Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and around foundation walls. Uncover and clear a path to storm drains on the street. Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and debris. Check walls, floors, windows and foundations for cracks or leaks and arrange for necessary repairs immediately. Move valuable and important items out of the basement to upper floors of your home. If it looks like water intrusion may occur: shut off electricity – unless you have a sump pump (you want to keep that working!) – and stay out of water if it appears! If community flooding occurs: Keep out of any standing water. Hazards from floating debris, sewer contamination, live electrical wires and slippery footing can make flood waters dangerous. Listen for the latest emergency information. If told to leave your area, grab your emergency kit and go to your designated shelter. Be sure to follow recommended evacuation routes. Never go near or touch fallen power lines or downed trees that may have power lines tangled in them. Stay at least ten metres away and call your local energy utility to alert them to damage. If outdoors, climb to high ground in a highly visible and safe area. If while in your vehicle you come to a flooded area, turn around, head for elevated ground and park. As little as 60 centimetres of water can carry a car away. Getting things back in order: Keep the power off and ask your hydro company for assistance. If possible, record details of any damage before you clean up. Take photos or video to help with your insurance company’s assessment. Once you’ve assessed damage as best you can, contact your insurance company. More tips, advice and information can be found at: https://blog.allstate.ca/preparing-for-the-big-melt/

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