With global climate change impacting our weather systems we all need to take proactive steps to protect our property.
Taking opportunity when the rain slows, residents are encouraged to make sure two simple things are addressed to prevent property damage.
Our public storm drains are an essential part of our storm water management system. They, along with our curbs, direct rain runoff into the storm sewers and into our streams and rivers and away from your homes. But they only work when they are clear and free of debris.
A drain like the one above can quickly contribute to a build up of water on any given block. The result below is not at all uncommon and can be prevented by taking a rake or shovel and removing any leaves or trash blocking the grates.
Additionally, you can keep your basement dry by ensuring you have two safeguards in place.
First make sure your downs spouts are sufficiently away from the foundation of your house 4-6 feet away if your basement gets wet.. Directing water away from your home will allow the water to be absorbed by the soil and into the water table rather than your basement. See the example below.
.png)
Further, if your basement has a floor drain and water comes up through that floor drain, you should consider installing a special back flow preventing drain. Water that comes through the floor drain is especially bad because it can be storm water mixed with raw sewage and that can pose a serious health risk to those living in the house. A back flow drain will prevent this from happening. They are not expensive but they do need to be installed by a professional plumber.
Taking these preventative steps will help keep you high and dry when the waters rise!