Home resilience: How to prepare your home for torrential rains and flash floods

You may have heard your insurer mention these terms, but exactly what is the difference between overland flooding and sewer backup? 

Water that flows over land that’s usually dry is what’s referred to as “overland flooding.” It can occur after a heavy rainfall, quick snowmelt or overflow from a river or lake. Unlike sewer backups, which often result from broken, blocked or overloaded municipal drainage systems, it happens when water can’t be absorbed by the ground or contained by local sewers.

How can you help protect your house from flash floods and heavy rains? For starters, keeping up with regular maintenance on your home and property is a good habit to get into. A simple storm preparedness checklist of yearly (or twice-yearly) tasks can go a long way to helping you safeguard what you hold dear.

• Gutters
  Clean gutters and downspouts twice a year (spring/fall) to reduce the risk of overflow and minimize damage.

• Gutter extensions
  Add an extension to the end of the eavestroughs to allow water to drain at least 2 metres (6 feet) from the foundation.

• Ground slope
  Consult an expert about the grading around your foundation, and see whether it angles away and downward (at a negative slope of roughly 2 inches per foot) from the base of your home. 

• Basement window protection
  Seal basement windows to prevent leaks, making sure to use materials more resistant to water, such as a plastic cover to the window well, for extra heavy rainfall protection.  

While some of these measures can be easily done yourself, some may require the help of a professional. Don’t hesitate to consult an expert for advice on how to conduct these tasks and strengthen any other potential weak spots.

To help protect everything that’s precious inside your home, you’ll want to add indoor checks to your routine. Inspect your sump pump as well as any backwater valves you may have inside your home, ensure drains and sinks are flowing freely, and make a habit of keeping your one-of-a-kinds outside the basement.

Backwater valves, also known as check valves or backflow preventers, are typically equipped with a special flap that prevents sewage or wastewater from flowing back into your home in the event of an overload on your city’s drainage system. Ideally, one should be installed on the drainage pipe of each plumbing fixture in your basement – think toilet, sink, shower, washing machine or floor drain. And to ensure regular checks and maintenance, make sure any backwater valves in your home are easy to access.

Don’t have a backwater valve? Certain municipalities or utility providers offer a backwater valve subsidy for eligible homes. Find out if you qualify by calling your local information line.

Is your home equipped with a sump pump? This handy device pumps water that may collect in your sump basin after a snowmelt or heavy rainfall, for example, to a safe location away from your home. 

As heavy rainstorms often go hand in hand with power outages, make sure your sump pump has a backup battery. You can also purchase a sensor that lets you know when the pump is in use and keep tabs on water levels inside your sump basin.

• Floor drain
  To promote its proper functioning, ensure your floor drain is unobstructed. Avoid storing anything on or near the drain.

• Sinks
  Avoid pouring fats and oils down your sinks to prevent drain clogging.

• Valuable or irreplaceable items
  Avoid storing precious items in the basement. If you do, place them in watertight containers and keep them off the floor. And keep an inventory! This is always handy should you ever have to file an insurance claim.

If severe weather is imminent, there are several things you can do to help ​​strengthen your protection External link. within a short time frame.

• Ensure all your windows are firmly shut
• Check your gutters for any blockage
• Free your drains of any obstructions
• Move your valuables out of the basement
• See that your sump pump is functional
• Ease up on your water usage so as not to overload your drains

Safety first. Always. Before you enter your basement after a flood, make sure the electrical supply is disconnected. If you’re not sure how to do this, or if you’re unable to access it, get help from your local electricity supplier. And make sure to wear rubber boots any time you may need to stand in water. 

For more detailed information on immediate actions to take after flooding has hit your home, see ​our handy guide on water damage. And once you’re ready to file your insurance claim, be sure to check out our claims page for advice.

Recovery after a disaster is never simple. But once you’ve cleared the water, tidied up and reached out for help, it’s also an opportunity to think ahead about making your home more resilient against future flooding.

• Upgrade your sump pump
  Install a combined sump pump and emergency power source with outdoor water discharge to limit damage caused by indoor water infiltration.

• Install backwater valves
  If need be, install backwater valves in the basement. ​Check with your municipality to see if it offers subsidies to offset installation costs.

• Consider a water detection system
  Install water sensors combined with an intelligent valve that automatically shuts off the water supply network if leaks are detected.

• Install window wells
  Install window wells if your basement window is less than 6 inches above the ground to prevent water from seeping through.
• Opt for water-resistant flooring
  Water-resistant floor coverings such as vinyl can reduce damage from moisture.
• Elevate your flooring
  Water-resistant materials like ventilated joists improve drainage and airflow.

Standard home insurance rarely provides complete water seepage coverage, so it’s important to discuss flood protection with your insurer. For instance, while many Canadian homeowners may believe their insurance covers repairs and rebuilding after overland flooding, only ​​10% to 15% of households are actually covered External link.. To find out what types of coverage best suit your needs, visit our web page or speak with a certified agent. 

Knowing what to do to prepare for flooding is an essential step toward prevention. The next steps are up to you. While a few simple DIY precautions, such as cleaning and upkeep, can go a long way, you may need to seek advice from an expert, such as a contractor or plumber, to make your home more resilient.

No matter what you decide, rest assured that your insurance provider is there with valuable advice about your coverage. A great place to start? Check out the ​Desjardins Insurance page on natural disasters.