How To Prepare For The Great Regina Flood of 2013

1. Mind your eaves and Q’s

Keep your eaves-troughs clean. If snow melts on your roof and the resulting water has nowhere to go, it will very sneakily try to get into your house. Eaves-troughs are your friend, keep them clean.

2. Downspouts are to eaves-troughs as hockey is to Canada

If all you do is fix your eaves-troughs and you do not connect your downspouts, you’ll be looking at wet spring. Downspouts should exit from your house onto a splash pad or be connected to an extensions at least 1.8 metres (6 feet) away from the foundation of your house. As funny as it would be to lead your downspouts into your neighbors yard, please, for the sake of the neighborhood, direct your downspouts to the back lane or the front of your house.

3. Don’t get stumped by a faulty sump pump

Check to make sure that your sump pump is working. If you do not have a sump pump, consider installing one. If your basement does end up taking on water this spring, you’ll be thankful for installing that sump pump. Also, consider installing a mainline sewer backwater valve to protect against sewer backup if you do not already have one. Contact a plumber if you even remotely need help with installing a mainline sewer backwater valve.

4. Create a Family “Flood check” Schedule (or For You Singles), Consider installing a Water-Sensing Alarm

In the spring season in Regina you need a schedule to ensure you’re periodically checking for a leaky basement. If you want to get all technical, you can install a Honeywell Water Defense Water Leak Detection Alarm.

This is from a review on Home Depot’s website:

“This is simple and easy to install. When moisture touches the detection cord, the unit sounds a high pitch alarm similar to a smoke alarm. It is excellent insurance in providing protection for those areas that are not visible, i.e., water heater, refrigerator water line for ice maker, washing machine and dishwasher, etc.”

Seems like a small price to pay for the peace of mind of a dry basement.

5. Water + Electronics = You're in Trouble

Every spring my roommate and I forget to take important electronics out of the basement. A waterlogged Xbox later we’ve decided to get everything worth something off the floor in the basement. Trust me, electronics don’t work very well in an aquarium.

This step is often overlooked and is a crucial part of flood proofing your house. Water may get in, but would be much easier to explain to your 7 year old that he can still play Xbox this spring, but they will have to do it upstairs.

Have a flood prevention tip? Let us know in the comments below!

For more information on flood protection, see the City of Regina's Flood protection page.