If your basement floods, it could be your fault . Flooding can happen at anytime and to anyone, regardless if there basement has never flooded before. That’s why Glenn McGillivrey with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction says knowledge and planning ahead is key to avoiding a devastating flood.

It’s important to know how you can prevent or reduce your chances of basement flooding

The first thing you should do is remove expensive items or important documents and photographs from your basement.

1. Educate yourself by calling The City of Timmins regarding basement flooding risk factors

2. Inform the city if you have basement flooding and DO NOT enter basement until you know it is safe to do so.

3. Become familiar with your insurance coverage. (While some city’s help pay for back-water valves and sump pumps – Timmins does not)

4. Hire a licensed plumber to inspect your home’s plumbing layout

5. The plumber will determine if you need to install backwater valves / sump pumps

6. Never pour fats, oils and grease down your sink (blocks plumbing and prevents water and sewage from draining)

4. Try to cut back on household water use during torrential downpour

5. Direct downspouts away from the walls of your house, running it at least 6 feet away from your foundation *but not onto anyone else’s property*
-Control the ground water around your foundation by installing weeping tiles, sump pits etc

6. Regularly clear storm drains and catch basins

7. Seal cracks and holes in your wall/floor foundation

8. Seal loose window frames and gaps under doors

9. Keep eaves-troughs and downspouts clear

10. Every 5-10 years receive sewer lateral inspection

11. Be weary of reverse-slope driveways

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION (FULL INTERVIEW)

Photo Source:
http://macombcountyfloodrestoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Flooded-Royal-Oak-MI-House-1024×768.jpg