10/15/2021
There’s no denying that water can be messy, costly, and dangerous. In fact, water damage is one of the most common reasons people make a home insurance claim. But with a little preparation, you can ensure that your home and your loved ones stay high and dry.
Here are a few tips to help protect your home from water damage:
Inside your home:
• Have a licenced plumber inspect your pipes for corrosion or leaks and make any necessary repairs.
• Keep floor drains in your basement clear of obstructions.
• Fill any gaps in your basement walls, around windows, doors and all entry points for pipes and cables.
• Store your most valuable possessions on shelves or higher floors in airtight containers, rather than the basement floor (whenever possible).
• Ensure electrical system components, including service panels, meters, switches, and outlets, are at least 30 centemetres above from the basement floor.
Outside your home:
• Grade the property surrounding your house to encourage water to drain away from your home’s foundation.
• Use all-weather sealants around basement windows and ground floor doors and be diligent about sealing cracks in your foundation and exterior walls.
• Install window well and well covers on basement windows.
• Regularly clean and maintain your eavestroughs so that they’re not blocked.
• Keep storm drains near your home clear of leaves and debris.
• In winter months, clear snow away from your home’s foundation following every snowfall.
