Nobody wants to experience floods in their home. Unfortunately, they happen quite often. In Canada, rain and snow are more frequent than sunshine and this only makes the situation worse. Professional plumbers are always on call during the rainy seasons and flooded basements are a part of their daily routine.
However, some homes don’t experience floods at all. This is mainly due to proper preventative measures. If you want to reduce chances to a minimum, you must make sure that your home is protected in every way.
Here are the most effective ways to prevent your house from flooding:
- Basement Waterproofing
No home is safe without a basement waterproofing system. The term waterproofing can be confused with sealants and insulation foam, but when companioned by the word “system”, one thinks of a vast network of weeping tiles connected to a sump pump.
With the help of “least resistance”, excess water (whether from rain, underground springs or faulty piping) is collected through the weeping tiles and transported to a main sump pump. From there, it is pumped out to a disposal area like a sewer or downhill.
Basement waterproofing systems, whether placed around the exterior or in the interior, are the only mean for preventing foundation cracks, leaks and severe floods.
- Backyard Drainage
Another option for reducing water levels in your home is with preventing water to accumulate in the first place. During rain or snowstorms, soil soaks in excess water. This enlarges already existing water levels, traveling below ground, resulting in severe pressure against your walls and foundation.
There are tons of ways to save your backyard. Some homeowners even decide to change the soil and make it more water resistant, however, the situation can be easily solved with French or Trench drains. Be wary that all plant life will get destroyed and that basement concrete will break before a flood starts to occur.
- Roof Replacement
Roofs are far more important than one might think. We tend to take their large lifespans for granted and not show them proper care. Even though metal roofing can last a maximum of 100 years, difficult weather and lack of maintenance can significantly cut that number and reduce efficiency.
Having an Energy Star roof, without damaged or missing shingles, not only prevents floods, but also protects you from mold growth, rot, pesticide, roof collapse and high energy bills.
- Maintain Gutters
An important part of your roof’s structure are the gutters. These have only one role: to gather rainwater and direct in a proper disposal area, something similar to a waterproofing system. But, with time, leaves and other debris can build up inside the gutters and create massive clogs.
This disrupts the water flow, resulting in immense pressure on the roof and damaged backyard. To avoid clogged or detached (overweight) gutters, you must clean them at least 2 times a year and after each storm.
