Preparing, protecting homes from spring thaw

Watch above: As residents welcome a warming trend, the snow begins to melt causing headaches for homeowners. Meaghan Craig finds out what you should do to keep your home dry during spring runoff.

SASKATOON – So far, so good. This year’s spring melt, although only days in, has been an ideal one.

Most of the province is looking at normal to below normal spring runoff with the exception of central Saskatchewan.

“As a result of some snow in the central part of the province and some new data that we’ve collected during snow survey’s we’ve upgraded the central part of the province to an above normal runoff,” John Fahlman, with the province’s Water Security Agency (WSA), said on Monday.

READ MORE: Central Saskatchewan could see ‘above normal’ spring runoff

The above normal range shouldn’t cause any significant issues.

“We’re not expecting major impacts from this unless of course you get a lot more snow or a rainstorm on top of it.”

Nonetheless, officials with WSA say they’ll continue to monitor this year’s spring melt closely.

Homeowners should be doing the same when it comes to their properties and prepare before any sort of spike in temperature. Double digits are not forecast until the weekend.

“Seepage and leakage isn’t covered but the things that are covered would be water escape and rupture so if a pipe freezing and bursts that’s going to be covered,” said Tanya-Lynn De Delley, a commercial insurance broker at Galon Insurance.

Sewage backup is covered as long as it’s part of your plan, so make sure you haven’t declined this option.

“Even if the city drains are overwhelmed and so the water has no where else to go so it comes back up, that’s going to be covered under that sewer backup,” explained De Delley.

READ MORE: City of Saskatoon crews prepare for spring snow melt

There are other ways people can do to guard against water damage, according to De Delley.

“You would want to shovel or remove snow away from your house foundation because if it melts and it’s near your house foundation that’s where the water’s going to pool but if you can move it away that will definitely help.”

Use an ice chipper to create a channel down the driveway, removing excessive water away from the house.

Buy an extender for your downspouts and if you already have one, make sure it and the gutters are clean of any debris.

“If it’s just dripping off the side of your house, it’s going straight beside your house and next to your foundation.”

De Delley adds that if you think you have a claim on your hands do everything you can to minimize further damage, contact an insurance broker as soon as possible, take items out of the basement, take pictures and keep any items that have been damaged.

“If you do have things that are damaged they’re going to want to see that because that’s going to be part of your claim.”

Make sure to keep track of all your costs since even clean-up can be covered as part of your claim. You may also want to seek advice from a professional on how to properly clean-up a sewage backup to ensure the safety of everyone in your household.