Be Prepared For Possible Water Damage
This post is originally from The Co-Operators Insurance E-Alert and I’m sharing these great tips!
During spring, rising temperatures, rainfall and melting snow could cause water damage to your property. Strong winds are also a possibility. We encourage you to take care of what matters most and follow the necessary precautions to avoid injury and minimize property damage.
If you are one of our property insurance clients whose property has been damaged, contact us as soon as possible. When it is safe to do so, take pictures of the damage, both inside and outside your home, as well as any significant items.
Please take the following precautions:
- Move your important possessions to a higher level to protect them from water damage.
- Make sure your backwater valves/sump pumps are working properly. Watch for falling snow and ice from roofs; remove icicles or block areas where icicles may fall.
- Clear gutters and areas around downspouts and exhaust vents so that melting snow can flow away from the house.
- Shovel snow away from foundation walls.
During and after the thaw:
- Keep children and pets away from waterways. Channels, small creeks and rivers can fill up quickly and banks may erode resulting in unstable ground.
- Never try to drive through pooled water. Roads covered by water can be dangerous. If your car stalls in pooled water, get out quickly and move to higher ground.
- Ensure a qualified technician examines your electrical panel for safety if it becomes submerged.
- Avoid electrical shock; wear rubber boots, keep extension cords out of the water; shut the power off at the breaker box; ask your electrical utility company for help if needed.
- Appliances that are sitting in water pose a risk of shock or fire when turned on. Do not use any appliances, heating, pressure, or sewage systems until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried, and inspected by a qualified electrician.
- Beware of any damaged power lines, gas lines or electrical systems, which present risks of electrocution, explosion and fire. Report electrical hazards to the authorities.
- Remove standing water within your property as soon as it is safe to do so; dry any wet areas thoroughly and remove soaked building materials, including drywall and floor coverings.
- Mould contamination can appear within 24 hours of exposure to water. For more information on safe cleanup, visit the Health Canada website.
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