As spring arrives, the strain on your municipality’s drainage system will increase from a combination of winter runoff and rainfall. Unfortunately, this means a greater risk of the system overflowing and causing water to flow into your home.
Imagine discovering your basement has been flooded with contaminated sewer water and your walls, floors and furniture have been damaged. Even worse, irreplaceable items that may have been placed in storage could be lost forever.
Your home is your castle. Take the time to protect it and spare your family from unnecessary hardship by following some simple steps to prevent water damage from sewer back-ups. Many of these are simple enough to perform on your own or can be handled by an experienced landscaper:
- If the ground slopes towards your house, contract a landscaper to use backfill such as clay soil to create a slope away from the building
- Extend downspouts a minimum of six feet away from the foundation of your house and toward your lawn or garden
- Gutters should have leaves and debris cleaned out and run with water seasonally, starting from the highest point
- Hire a plumber to install backwater valves and ensure they are properly sealed, well-maintained and cleaned on a regular basis
- Have a sump pump with a battery backup system in your basement to pump excess groundwater out and away from your home
Following these precautions to prevent sewer back-up not only protects your home, it may also qualify you for a discount on your insurance. Contact your Unica Broker to learn more!
