Spring is on its way, and it’s safe to say property owners in Saskatchewan could use some helpful tips on protecting your home in the spring-melt after the heaps of snow the province recently received.
“There’s a lot you can do to make sure that when the snow melts, that water makes its way to the drain and not into your home,” SGI Canada chief operating officer Don Thompson said.
“A little time spent now could save you a big headache as the weather warms up. This much snow so late in the season could result in a very fast melt.”
Here are some flood prevention tips from SGI Canada:
- Rake remaining snow off of roofs.
- Check eavestroughs and gutters for signs of ice dams and/or remove debris that could slow the flow of water.
- Shovel snow away from the foundations of homes.
- Check the grading in the yard to see that it is sloping away from the foundation, allowing melt water to lead away from homes.
- Extend downspouts away from the home by at least two meters.
- Check backwater prevention valves on the main line of your sewer, if your home has one – is it in working condition?
- Check sump pumps and pit to make sure everything is in good condition and ready for melt water.
- Check basements regularly for signs of water.
SGI said that when it comes to water damage, be sure to check with your insurance broker to see if you have coverage for overland flooding and to contact your insurance broker immediately to file a claim if you incur flooding.
While you wait for the adjuster to come out and assess the damage, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent your property from further damage or loss, if it’s safe to do so.
SGI Canada has the following tips:
- Clean up as soon as possible. Seek professional advice on how to clean up and take whatever reasonable steps you can to minimize the extent of the damage.
- Don’t throw anything out. Store damaged items in a reasonably safe place so the adjuster can see them when he or she arrives.
- Have any appliances (including furnaces) that have come in contact with water checked by a qualified electrician, dealer or service person before you use them.
- Do not touch any electrical systems or panels until you know it is safe to do so, especially in wet or damp conditions.
- Move damaged belongings to a dry area with good ventilation.
SGI is reminding people to keep track of cleaning expenses as they are considered part of the insurance claim and to take pictures or record a video of damaged property to give to the adjuster.
As always, you can visit www.sgicanada.ca/tips to learn more about how you can protect your home.
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