01-05-2025
Modern living: You can just worry about flooding … or you can do something
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The Canadian Climate Institute observes that 'as climate change worsens, Canadians will experience a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of these kinds of flood events.'
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A prime example of such an 'event' was the 10 centimetres of rain that fell within the span of three hours in Toronto last year, flooding homes and leading to a power outage for 167,000 residents.
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In light of rising concerns over climate change, it should come as no surprise that 66 per cent of respondents in the just released Weather and Property Survey – commissioned by First Onsite Property Restoration say they now worry about flooding.
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And certainly the financial impact of flooding can be devastating. The Government of Canada website shares that the average cost of a flooded basement is $40,000.
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As a first line of defence against such a disaster, one action homeowners can take – as emphasized in my last column (Stay Warm, Keep the Lights On After a Power Outage) is to have a backup battery system in the event flooding causes a power outage.
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First Onsite's senior vice-president Jim Mandeville says that even if you can't afford a whole home backup solution 'if you're going to be without power for several days, what's really critical, especially this time of year, is that you (at least) have power for your sump pump.' That alone he says 'could save you (from having) a really big mess in the basement.'
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Other easy to implement defensive measures homeowners can take Mandeville says, include 'making sure there's no snow or debris in the catch basin at the end of your driveway (where the water runs off) or at your neighbour's driveway (because) if the drain is plugged and it rains and the snow is melting, that water will back up and it will end up in your and your neighbours' homes.
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Another precautionary measure he recommends is to 'take a quick walk around your house and make sure that there are no low areas where water is pooling up against the building. If there's a negative grade where water is running towards the building, you're going to have a problem and you're going to need to contact a professional,' to help regrade the property so that water flows away from your home.
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Mandeville is also a big proponent of adding a backflow preventer to your plumbing that prevents water from flowing backwards in your pipes which he says would cost 'in the neighbourhood of hundreds or a few thousand dollars depending on the way your house is built.'
