It’s starting to look like spring has arrived. Following a winter with precipitation levels which were 40% above the average, and with plus zero temperatures predicted for most days over the next couple of weeks, it’s about to get wet. The City of Saskatoon has issued a warning that a little preventative maintenance is in order if you’d like to keep the spring melt-off from ending up in your basement.
Here are the tips they’ve provided to prevent a basement flood.
- Remove snow from around your foundation and window wells.
- Most lots drain along the outside edges. Remove snow from these areas.
- Keep the snow in your yard because shoveling it onto streets or lanes could block drainage.
- Clear snow and ice from around the bottom of your downspouts and extend downspouts at least two metres so water drains away from your foundation.
- Where possible and safe, help clear snow, ice, and debris from the catch basins in your area.
- Check your roof and eaves troughs for excessive snow.
- Consider hiring a professional to clear snow from your roof.
- A roof rake may help you to clear snow and debris from the edge of your roof.
- Consider using sandbags to block water from entering low lying areas besides your foundation.
- If water is getting close to your foundation, use an appropriate pump to drain it to the gutter or back lane.
- Please use all equipment properly and follow safety guidelines.
Best wishes for a dry spring.
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra