Water Damage in Manitoba

Prevention Tips for Your Home

Unexpected weather is a major source of claims throughout Manitoba. As water damage to property is one of the largest concerns related to weather activity, we have compiled a number of prevention tips to help you reduce your risk of loss.

Exterior Home Protection

Protecting the exterior of your home is important during rainy seasons. Disconnect your downspout from your weeping tile or sewer drain. Extend it so that water is directed away from your home’s foundation. You should also check the lot grading around your home, a gentle slope away from the foundation will help divert water away from your property. Ensuring water from your weeping tile is directed to a sump-pit and pumped out using a sump-pump is important to protect your home from flooding.

Hiring a licensed plumber to conduct a detailed plumbing investigation on your home minimizes any threats to the system and your safety. Avoid pouring fats, oils and grease down household drains, they may congeal and clog your plumbing. During heavy rainfall, reduce household water-use to help prevent overloading your sewer system. Use water alarms to detect leaks and overflows. Install near water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, sump-pump and other areas that could be a potential risk.

Sump-pump Selection tips

It is also important to select the right sump-pump for your home, ensuring that the motor is large enough to support it. It is also recommended that your sump-pump has its own outlet and circuit breaker, as well as a battery backup in the event of a power failure. Make sure your backwater valve is maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. Installing a mainline backwater value guarantees that your plumbing is protected, including the catch basin. Avoid storing items directly on the basement floor, and move valuable items and important documents from the basement to the upper floors. Use a water alarm to detect water build-up in your sump-pump. It is also important to seal creaks in foundation walls and basement floor to reduce your risk of infiltration flooding.

Rebates

Rebates may be available from your local municipalities. For example, The City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba have introduced a basement flooding protection subsidy program. Manitoba Hydro also offers various programs such as the Residential Propane and Oil Furnace/Boiler Replacement Program and the Power Smart Residential Loan.

Please contact Wyatt Dowling Insurance Brokers to discuss these preventative tips and your additional coverage options.  Leave your worries at our door.