Spring is here! But sometimes those “spring showers” can be a bit too much! Every home is at risk of basement flooding, even if it hasn’t happened before. Water in your basement is most likely to occur during heavy rains or when snow and ice melt. The good news is that you can take steps to help reduce or prevent it from occurring. Restoration mate is one of the 24 hour water damage removal and restoration companies in Toronto.
Proper Gutter Installation To Prevent Basement Flood Damage In Toronto
Before you begin, consider these important guidelines:
- Water should drain away from the foundation of the building.
- Make sure the water flow doesn’t cause damage to your neighbor’s property or your driveway or sidewalk.
- Use a splash pad to help direct water flow and protect against erosion.
- Avoid tripping hazards; do not add extensions over a sidewalk or in front of a gate or door.
- The water flow can freeze in winter; do not create dangerous conditions.
- Consider using a rain barrel to catch and store rainwater.
- During the winter months, remove the rain barrel to prevent it from freezing and breaking.
- After removing the rain barrel, add a downspout attachment to ensure proper drainage away from your home.
- Consider extending downspouts under a deck, patio, or lawn or garden area.
- Consider creating a rain garden or removing hard surfaces such as concrete paths or patios to allow water to percolate.
- After disconnecting, cover the sewer connection – the open pipe that remains after the drain is removed. This prevents water and dirt from getting inside and prevents animals from falling into the opening.
- Proper gutter and downspout maintenance is important to ensure they function properly to prevent basement flood damage in Toronto.
- Clean gutters at least twice a year and check all bends and outlets for debris to prevent clogging.
- Fix any leaks and repair any low spots or sagging areas along the gutters. Finally, make sure all parts are securely fastened.
Steps To Protect Your Basement From Flooding
You can take steps to protect your basement from flooding. To avoid having to clean out basements in Toronto after a flood, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on what steps you can take. Here are some examples.
- You can prevent foundation wall leaks and basement water damage by installing proper downspouts and making sure they extend 4′ – 6′ from your home.
- Clean gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris that impede drainage.
- Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system where possible (without negatively impacting neighboring properties or creating an area where water will collect on the sidewalk or driveway).
- Make sure your disconnected downspouts drain properly, ideally two meters from your foundation walls.
- Make sure the slopes around your home slope away from the foundation wall to help drain water away from your home (without negatively impacting neighboring properties).
- Increase the green space around your home with native plants and shrubs and install porous paving to help absorb rainwater and snowmelt.
- Check the corners of your basement regularly and if the floor is damp/wet, your soaking tiles may not be working properly and may need to be repaired or replaced to prevent water damage in your basement.
- If your wet tiles are connected to the sewer system, we recommend disconnecting it and installing a sump pump and/or check valve.