7 tips to protect your home during the Spring thaw

Every Spring, we should prepare for a thaw that could cause damage. And while the snow is a normal part of a Québec winter, large amounts of it can present risks of water infiltration and flooding for homeowners.

Here are our top seven tips to help you prepare for the spring thaw and snow runoff.

1. Pay special attention to your downspouts and gutters:
   • Ensure they are clear of debris and that they direct water away from your foundation and home (2 metres);
   • Repair leaks at the joints and junctions of the gutters and clean them regularly;
   • Make sure they are securely installed on the eaves, correctly sloped towards the downspouts and in sufficient quantity;
   • Use gutter extensions when necessary and ensure they discharge on a negative slope (away from the foundation).
2. Keep your basement floor drains clear.
3. Clear the snow and ice from your walkways and driveway to give thawing snow a path to drain away.
4. Remove the snow from window wells and shovel the snow away from the foundation.
5. Clear street storm drains of leaves, debris, and ice to aid in proper street drainage.
6. If you believe you are at risk of infiltration and imminent flooding, move valuable items out of your basement to higher levels in your home.
7. If flooding is imminent, use sandbags or other types of built-up barriers to help prevent water from entering through basement windows and doors. If it is safe to do so, shut off electricity to the areas of the home that may be affected.

Most of these tips are relatively easy to do and are little things that can save you a lot of trouble. 

Key insurance coverage you should know about

• Water infiltration resulting from melting snow or water accumulation on your land: Such damage from water infiltration through your roof, foundation or doors or windows is insured if you have added the required endorsement to your policy.
• Damage caused by an ice dam:  Policies generally cover sudden and accidental water damage caused by ice dams.
• Damage caused by the overflow of a body of water: This type of damage is covered if you have purchased a flood coverage endorsement. However, if you live in a known flood zone, such coverage may be limited or unavailable.
• Sewer backup damage: Water damage in a basement due to sewer backup is only covered if you have purchased an endorsement.

Other content to read up on the same subject 

• Floods | Featured file
• Resilient home | Featured file
• The interactive house
• Insuring your home against flooding