Your basement isn’t just for doing laundry or old yearbook storage. It’s the very frontline of your home’s flood defenses.
Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims in Canada.1 And it’s no surprise, with rainfall increasing 12% nationwide over the past 60 years, weather is wetter than ever.2 Fortunately, there are a few straightforward ways to protect your home, finances and keep family heirlooms safe.
Protecting What Matters
Home is where the heart is, and it’s where a lot of Canadians will invest the most financially over their lifetime. So with the average flooded basement in Canada costing $40,0003, the effects are more than an inconvenience.4
Flood protection means protecting your home and your belongings. Water can damage irreplaceable family treasures, like your wedding album or that well-loved comic book collection. But with a properly defended basement you won’t need to worry about the things that matter most.
Check out the infographic for all 10 tips to protect your home from the inside and outside.
Simple Steps to Make a Difference
Luckily, although the risks are real, so are the solutions. By taking basic precautions indoors and out, you can help protect against unwanted water and reduce the impact if flooding should occur.
Start with the low-hanging fruit: Outside, sweeping debris away from storm drains and extending downspouts can keep water away from your foundation in the first place. Inside, store your valuables up high in waterproof containers and keep a clear path to your basement floor drain.
Look at new technology that’s making flood protection easier, too. Simple devices, like the Alert Labs’‡ Flowie sensor, monitor water usage and detect leaks, allowing you to track your system right from your phone. Its companion sensor, the Floodie, can even send an alert if it detects water on the ground.
From there, it’s worth considering a few extra measures that — although they may take a bit more elbow grease — can make a big difference. By correcting the grading around your house, for example, you can help prevent water from pooling and seeping into the foundation.
For more protection, consider bringing in a professional to inspect your sewer lateral (that’s the pipe that runs away from your home), or installing a sump-pump. Many cities will help offset the costs of such home improvements: Search for, “Home flood protection subsidies,” online to find out about local offers.
Get the Full List
Check out the infographic for all 10 tips to protect your home from the inside and outside — and next time it rains you can curl up with a book and listen in peace, knowing your home is prepared for whatever the weather brings.
Sources:
1-4 2017, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Preventing Disaster Before It Strikes, http://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Preventing-Disaster-Before-it-Strikes.pdf
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
