Spring is right around the corner and with the heavy snowfall that the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has experienced, which will likely be followed by “April showers,” residents should be prepared for flooding during the spring and the potential need for water damage restoration.
On average, the GTA experiences over 80 millimetres of rain between April and May, with the temperature starting to climb in the latter month.
Humidity often brings severe weather with it and unless you’re prepared, your home may require flood damage restoration.
If you keep any electronics in your basement, you may also be faced with electronic water damage. Flooding can also cause damage to your furniture, walls, and insulation. Luckily, if addressed quickly, you can avoid costly repairs and having to replace any of your property.
If heavy rainfall occurs this spring, there are steps you can take to minimize or prevent flood damage to your home. However, if your home is flooded, it is strongly recommended that you call a water damage restoration company immediately following the flood; most provide same-day service so the damage can be taken care of before it gets worse.
1.Keep an eye and ear on weather reports: Watch TV, listen to the radio, and keep an eye on up-to-the-minute reports on the weather. On social media sites like Twitter, users in your area may use hashtags (#) to provide other homeowners with updates on conditions in the area.
2.Construct barriers: If your area is prone to flooding or located on a flood plain, take the time to construct a barrier around your home.
3.Make sure your basement windows are sealed: This should be your number-one spring cleaning project.
4.Move any electronics to the second floor: Basements are prone to flooding. To prevent electronic water damage, move any electronics to the second floor as soon as a flood warning is issued.
5.Turn off the power in the basement: In addition to moving any electronics to a higher floor, it is also recommended that you cut the power to your basement as an added precaution.
6.Make sure the drainage is clear: Many homeowners clean their eavestroughs in the spring to prevent flooding due to heavy rain.
7.Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning: A flood watch means that while you should be vigilant, a flood may not occur. A flood warning, on the other hand, means that a flood is likely to occur and you should take precautions.
8.Don’t touch any electronics: If the flood is sudden and you do not get the chance to move your electronics upstairs, avoid touching them, especially if they are in standing water.
9.Seal the walls in your basement: One of the best ways to avoid flood damage to your basement is to seal the walls with a waterproof material.
10.Call a flood damage restoration company immediately following a flood: If you have your basement drained and dried immediately following a flood, this will significantly reduce the damage.
If your basement still floods despite taking all the necessary precautions, Flood Services Canada, the leading provider of flood damage restoration in the GTA, can be at your home or business quickly following a flood.
Source:
“Average Weather in Toronto, Canada,” World Weather & Climate Information web site; www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,toronto,Canada, last accessed March 6, 2015.
