Rain and water damage can put a damper on many homeowners this season. Flooding and water damage are not only costly in terms of repair, but can impact homeowners’ health with possible mold buildup and drainage issues. Before dealing with damage and clean up, think ahead to materials that can help prevent flooding and water damage and be sure to assess any areas of your home that may have been impacted by winter’s wrath.
Here are three steps to protect your home from spring flooding:
Take a good look around
Inspect areas inside and around your home that may be prone to snow or water damage. If you had ice dams on your roof this winter, have a professional check for any damage and be sure to inspect and clean out eavestroughs. Ensure catch basins and street drains are clear of any debris and sweep away old salt or ice melt pellets. It’s also an ideal time to check the garden beds around your home to ensure they don’t retain water and create dams pushing water towards your home, just some extra soil can help solve this issue.
Seal your home
Check for any leaks or cracks in walls, windows and the foundation in your home, especially in low-lying rooms and the basement. If possible, grade the landscape of your home to ensure that water drains away and not towards your home. Double-check that your downspouts are clear of any debris so water can drain freely away from the home and not seep into foundations, walls or attics. Install downspout extensions if necessary.
Assess your insulation
Traditional insulation such as fibreglass insulation and cellulose can potentially absorb water as it enters your home, resulting in damp or waterlogged insulation that not only reduces the functionality of insulation but can also become a breeding ground for mold. Closed cell spray foam insulation can expand up to 60 times upon application, filling hard to reach areas and even small spaces that traditional insulation cannot. Closed cell foam can reject bulk water, making it an ideal material for homes in areas prone to flooding, it is even recognized as a flood resistant material by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the US. Soft, open-cell spray foam allows water to pass through it, this allows for easier identification of a problem area for repairs if there is any damage. Spray foam is not just for the walls and your basements, applying spray foam in attics and under roofs can help prevent ice dams the following winter, and the air barrier created by spray foam helps keep warm air in and prevent air leakage – making your home more energy efficient.
After a long winter, you deserve to enjoy the best of your indoor and outdoor space. While rain is inevitable, flooding doesn’t have to be if you take a few extra steps to prep your home to not only be spring-ready, but equipped for all the year’s seasons.
Author: Bruce Young, Canadian Sales Director for Icynene
