Flood prevention and safety tips

Protect the foundation

Beware of snow or ice against the side of your home as it can seep into the ground, toward your foundation. Use a shovel to keep snow least two feet away from exterior walls to divert water away from your home. If you spot cracks in your foundation wider than a dime or “step cracks” consider calling a foundation specialist. You can seal smaller hairline cracks yourself with one of the many do-it-yourself products available.

Clean the eaves

Inspect your eavestroughs, downspouts and the drains they empty into around your home. A properly functioning drainage system is critical to preventing melting snow or spring showers from damaging your property. Remove any leaves, twigs and debris that’s accumulated over the winter that can clog up gutters and prevent water from draining properly. Make sure your gutters and downspouts let water flow and deposit in a safe distance from your foundation.

Check the sump pump

A sump pump allows excess water to collect in a pit in your basement, pumping it outside to prevent flooding. If you have a sump pump, ensure regular maintenance so it’s ready when you need it. Common problems include cracks or leaks in the hose, rusting metal parts and broken motors. Clean your sump pump at least once a year by removing the pump and cleaning it and the pit itself. Make sure you have a check valve on the discharge pipe (so water can’t flow in) and ensure the cover fits properly to prevent water evaporating in your basement. If you have an alarm to alert you when it starts running, be sure to check that too.

Remember

A sump pump can’t function without electricity, so if your home is at high risk of flooding, consider getting a backup power source, such as a battery or generator. If power outages are expected in your area, stay informed by using our Outage Tools.

Make the grade

Good flood prevention begins with good grading – ensuring the slope of the immediate area around your foundation angles away from your home. Proper grading helps ensure that excess water flows down and away. If you routinely have water accumulating near the foundation, you should have the property re-graded as soon as possible. Work with a contractor or foundation specialist to ensure you have the recommended 5% downward slope. The key is to divert water from the foundation, so you can divert your attention to more enjoyable spring activities.