Water damage is a homeowner’s problem no matter what the season. It is the top cause of damage in the home and one that can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Do you know that 51% of all property claims in Canada is due to water damage? In the past decade, there was also an 84% increase in the cost of water damage in Ontario. There is no doubt that water damage can be very expensive!
Snowmelt is one leading cause of water damage. With only a few weeks to go until spring, now is the perfect time to prevent water damage brought on by snowmelt. Here are our 5 tips to keep your home safe from water damage from snowmelt.
Keep Roof in Tip Top Shape
Make sure that you deal with snow accumulation on your roof and eaves. You can use a roof rake to get this done and help you keep snow out of gutters. It is best to clean gutters as you do this to prevent debris from blocking gutters and causing snowmelt overflow. By doing this, you will also prevent the formation of ice-dams when the weather cools again.
Position Gutter Downspouts Strategically
Make sure that your gutter downspouts are positioned away from your foundation so any water, snowmelt, or rain won’t find its way to your basement. To prevent water from seeping into your basement, it is best to position downspouts 6 to 8 feet away from your basement. Should this not be possible, place a splash block under the downspout to make water flow into the lawn and not your foundation.
Get a Sump Pump
A sump pump will remove excess water and prevent flooding in your basement. Some sump pumps come with alarm that lets you know when the water level is rising or when the pump stops working. This can be a bit expensive but is well worth the investment because of how much damage it can prevent.
Shovel Snow Away from Your Foundation
Heavy snowfall near your foundation is equivalent to flooding damage. If you see snow within 10 feet of your foundation, it is best to take a proactive role in preventing water damage by shoveling it away from your foundation. By doing this, you will prevent this snow from melting into the soil and seeping towards your foundation.
Insure Against Water Damage
It won’t hurt to check your insurance policy to see if you’re already covered against snowmelt damage. If not, you can call your insurance to request for extra coverage or get another insurance specific for water damage. This won’t be free but doing this will give you peace of mind and help take care of your home for years to come.
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