Calgarians are aware that flooding can occur at any moment due to our unpredictable weather, particularly during Chinook winds. One day, we can get three feet of snow, and the next day, it can rain, causing not only the snow to melt but also excessive water from the rainfall, which can affect the sewer system and overwhelm it, leading to flooding. When this happens, there is a risk to your property, and it can cause your basement to flood.
It can be stressful to think about everything you need to do to protect your home, but don't worry—Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary is here to guide you through the tips and tricks for protecting your Calgary home from basement flooding.
Below, you will find the safety measures you can take to protect your home and how a local Calgary plumber can help ensure that flooding doesn't cause water damage to your property.
Why Does Basement Flooding Happen?
We know you're eager to get to the solutions, but we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't break down all the reasons why you might experience a flood as a Calgary homeowner.
- The snow has melted at a rapid pace, and it can overwhelm the city's drainage system.
- We might not be Vancouver, but Calgary can experience heavy rainfall that can overwhelm your system and cause a sewer backup.
- Your home has been set up with improper grading, which means that water isn't going away from your home but towards your home.
- The age of your home plays a factor, and sometimes the infrastructure can't handle excess water due to the age of your pipes and system.
Unfortunately, heavy rainfall and other factors are hard to prevent from having a negative effect on your home, and more specifically, your basement. Without the proper tools and knowledge, you are leaving your basement at risk for not only water damage to the floor and walls, but also for furniture that can be ruined. Additionally, mould and mildew can grow and cause significant damage.
Now that you know why flooding around your home and in your basement can happen, we can go over how to resolve these issues, or at the very least give you the tools and resources to mitigate the effects of a spring thaw flooding your basement.
How to Protect Your Home from the Spring Thaw and Your Basement Flooding
Flood damage is something that no one wants to deal with, especially in their home. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary will give you all the tips and tricks to ensure that the runoff from the snow and ice melt won't ruin your home.
Maintain the Quality of Your Downspouts and Eavestroughs
You can reduce the risk of experiencing a flood or damage to your home by ensuring that your downspouts and eavestroughs are maintained. You can do this by doing routine inspections, typically between the seasons. You will want to inspect for damage and remove any blockages that need to be cleared. You will also want to ensure that water is being taken away from the foundation of your home.
Review Your Grading
Not a lot of people spend time thinking about the grading of their home and how, over time, the soil around their foundations will settle and create grooves that can direct water to their home, putting them at risk of flooding.
Get a Sump Pump Installation
This is probably your best line of defence against your basement flooding. When the presence of water that has backed up in your home appears, a sump pump will automatically pump it out of your basement and away from your home. The installation process isn't incredibly difficult for a licensed plumber. We simply would create a sump pit and install your sump pump. This way, you can get peace of mind that if a flood in your basement does occur, the water will be taken away without effort on your part.
Install a Backwater Valve
If a sump pump removes the water, a backwater valve will help prevent sewage from coming into your home. It sounds terrible, but flooding causes issues like this, no matter how gross it is. Most new homes already have this installed, but older homes in Calgary will want to have this installed.
What to Do When Flooding Happens
The causes of basement flooding can be not only stressful but also detrimental to your home. When it happens, not only are you left with damage to your home, but you also have to deal with flood restoration services. That damage can be mitigated, though, with the steps and installations we mentioned above. Additionally, you can prevent further damage by taking the following steps when a flood is already in progress.
- Turn off any power to the affected area.
- Take your valuables from your basement to avoid damage to them.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you can.
While these don't fix the problem at hand, they can at least aid you in keeping your home as safe as possible and keep your losses as low as they can be.
Be Prepared for the Next Flood with Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary
Floods are something that Calgarians know well. Each year, the same set of issues arise, and each year, people suffer from a flood that they weren't prepared for. Be aware that you understand the common causes and how to take proactive steps in addressing them. Our team of local Calgary plumbing experts will be happy to install a sump pump for you or a backwater valve to ensure that you have the best possible safety measures in place when the next flood happens.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary has years of experience working with Calgary's plumbing systems, making us the ideal team to provide you with the solutions you need. Whether it is for preventing flood damage to your home or business or for plumbing upgrades, we are here to help you. Whether you’re in Acadia, Haysboro, or another part of Calgary, contact us today to book your appointment!
