(Newswire.net — February 27, 2013) Ottawa, ON — Flooding expected from massive snow melt and how to avoid damage in your home.
According to Francis Plumbing Ottawa, Ontario is experiencing flooding from fast snow melt this week due to very mild temperatures after back to back weeks of heavy snow fall. This large volume of water is just starting to leak into basements of older homes causing more problems than just flooding alone. Wet basements can also cause foundation problems, structural damage to walls and support beams, and even worse mold & mildew growth which can lead to toxic air quality in your home.
Francis Plumbing is experiencing a huge increase in service calls from local Ottawa homeowners who are finding water practically up to their basement steps. Dave Francis, the president of Francis Plumbing, stated that “most of the flooding issues we are dealing with are actually preventable”. Dave Francis shared the following tips for our local homeowners.
If you haven’t already done so here are things you can do to minimize flooding damages:
If you have a sump pump in your basement test it to make sure it is working. The easiest way to test a sump pump is to pour a bucket of water or two in the sump pit. Make sure the pump is plugged in if electrical (test battery if not electrical). If the pump is in working condition it will turn on within minutes of the pit being filled with water – if the sump pump does not turn on it may be time to replace the pump or battery.
Many homes in low lying areas also have back up sump pumps (a secondary sump pump) – test these as well to assure they are in good working condition.
If you do not have a sump pump or are not sure just make sure the floors around your basement floor drain are cleared of any valuables and keep an eye on it once in a while over the next few days in case of back up.
Make sure your gutters are clear and spouts are draining away from your foundation. If water is pooling around your foundation it can seep into your basement causing flooding. Water should always drain away from your home. If you have a broken gutter leaking you can place a large container or even a sheet of plywood leaned against the house under it will force the water to pour away from your foundation.
If you had previously frozen pipes; be sure to keep an eye out for possible leaks as these pipes thaw. Wet spots on walls or ceilings are good indicators that something is leaking somewhere. If you are observant you can minimize damage to your home.
Make sure you have fresh water on hand whenever flooding is expected (bottled or simply fill clean containers). Sewer systems can flood too causing contamination of fresh water sources.
Dave Francis also warns homeowners in Kanata and the Sandy Hill area that they could potentially experience sewage backup if they don’t already have a backflow preventer installed. There are Ottawa City grants available for these higher risk neighborhoods. To learn more about the City Protective Plumbing grants and who qualifies visit http://www.francisplumbing.com/Protective-Plumbing.html
Ottawa residences don’t have to be the victim of our Canadian weather with just a bit of knowledge and some preparation most flooding can be prevented.
To learn more about ways to prevent flooding or if you have questions about this press release contact:
Kay Kinder, Public Relations
Francis Plumbing & Heating
25-174 Colonnade Road South
Ottawa, ON K2E7J5
Office: 613-224-0041
www.FrancisPlumbing.com