Slow but sure, the snow in the area is melting. To ensure that the water from the snow doesn't end up in the basements of area residents, the City of Yorkton teamed up with SGI Canada to present some tips on how to keep the spring runoff outside where it belongs.
Rick Barks, assistant vice-president of personal lines underwriting with SGI Canada, says there are many ways that homeowners can prepare for the spring thaw. They can clear neighbourhood catch basins to help the water drain, shovel or remove snow around the home to allow it to drain away from the foundation, and clear channels to help it drain away. Downspouts should be extended to discharge rain or meltwater at least two meters away from the foundation. The goal of all of these measures is the same, to direct the water from the spring melt away from the home where it does less damage.
Inside the home, residents can ensure their sump pumps are working or consider installing one if none exists. Barks notes that sump pumps can be prone to corrosion, so checking if switches work could make the difference between a dry basement or a wet one. In order to check, homeowners lift the float on the sump pump to see if the pump turns on as needed. If water enters the basement, that float rises and turns the pump on automatically, so the test ensures the pump does the job without supervision.
"The time they don't work is the time you absolutely need them, so the time to check them is right now," Barks emphasizes.
Sewer Backwater Valves are another device that could help save a basement, as they protect against sewer backup. Residents are also encouraged to regularly check if basements are wet, and consider installing a water-sensing alarm to keep vigilant.
While this year is a special case, due to the late spring and the potential for a fast melt, Barks says that these tips apply for every spring, and people should always try to move snow away from their foundations.
Barks notes that while water ruptures are covered under insurance, seepage and over land flood are not covered under insurance policies. SGI has been touring the province providing these tips to help prevent the seepage and flooding, in the hopes that people do not have to worry about these things happening in their homes.
This has been a rare year for SGI, and Barks says that in his thirty-two years with the company he has only seen one other year compare with this in terms of flooding and sheer amount of moisture. He adds that people are familiar with the damage water can do in their homes, so the importance of being vigilant should be fresh in people's minds.
