You can just worry about flooding, or you can do something

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How quickly you act can make a huge difference when a flood event occurs

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The Canadian Climate Institute observes that “as climate change worsens, Canadians will experience a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of these kinds of flood events.”

A prime example of such an “event” was the 10 centimetres of rain that fell within the span of three hours in Toronto last year, flooding homes and leading to a power outage for 167,000 residents.

In light of rising concerns over climate change, it should come as no surprise that 66 per cent of respondents in the just released Weather and Property Survey – commissioned by First Onsite Property Restoration – say they now worry about flooding.

And certainly the financial impact of flooding can be devastating. The Government of Canada website shares that the average cost of a flooded basement is $40,000.

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As a first line of defense against such a disaster, one action homeowners can take – as emphasized in my last column (Stay Warm, Keep the Lights On After a Power Outage) is to have a backup battery system in the event flooding causes a power outage.

First Onsite’s senior vice-president Jim Mandeville says that even if you can’t afford a whole home backup solution “if you’re going to be without power for several days, what’s really critical, especially this time of year, is that you (at least) have power for your sump pump.” That alone he says “could save you (from having) a really big mess in the basement.”

Other easy to implement defensive measures homeowners can take Mandeville says, include “making sure there’s no snow or debris in the catch basin at the end of your driveway (where the water runs off) or at your neighbour’s driveway (because) if the drain is plugged and it rains and the snow is melting, that water will back up and it will end up in your and your neighbours’ homes.

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Another precautionary measure he recommends is to “take a quick walk around your house and make sure that there are no low areas where water is pooling up against the building. If there’s a negative grade where water is running towards the building, you’re going to have a problem and you’re going to need to contact a professional,” to help regrade the property so that water flows away from your home.

Mandeville is also a big proponent of adding a backflow preventer to your plumbing that prevents water from flowing backwards in your pipes which he says would cost “in the neighbourhood of hundreds or a few thousand dollars depending on the way your house is built.”

While First Onsite devotes a considerable amount of energy educating everyone from everyday consumers to condo building managers about flood prevention, as the company’s name suggests its core business is to provide emergency mitigation, restoration and reconstruction services tied not only to flooding but also to when fires and major storms take place.

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When flooding in a home does occur, Mandeville emphasizes the need for a speedy response to both stop the water damage from getting worse and to reduce the likelihood of mold occurring – which he says could multiply your final costs tenfold.

“You want to try to sop up that water if it’s safe to do so, especially if it’s just some wet carpet.” However he says “if it’s more like a swimming pool, it can be very dangerous,” due to electrical hazards or biological or both,  in which case he says you need to get out of the house and contact the necessary professionals (e.g. plumbers, electricians depending on the problem at hand) as well as your insurance company.

Water-related damage needs to be addressed right away as well he says. “Unfortunately, when we see water damaged building materials like drywall and carpet, cardboard – especially when it’s been wet for from more than 48 to 72 hours – it has a high likelihood of developing mould growth which will ratchet up recovery costs.”

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Costs where stopping the flow of water and mopping things up are just the beginning. From there, First Onsite uses moisture mapping software to detect the extent of the water damage and after that dehumidifiers and dryers are brought in.

Subsequent steps include the application of disinfectants as needed, a controlled demolition, and then finally, restoration that involves replacing damaged materials like drywall, flooring and insulation.

So what’s Mandeville’s advice for homeowners in the event of flooding to reduce the overall damage and final cost? Apart from some of the preventative measures he outlined, how quickly you act can make a huge difference when flooding occurs.

“Hours really matter,” he stresses.

Mark Wessel lives in Ridgeway, Ont. and is a passionate advocate for living more sustainably at home and in the greater community. Visit www.markdouglaswessel.com.

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