Going Places

istock S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 57 N othing excites Manitobans more than seeing the mounds of snow melt away into puddles come spring- time. But nothing can take that thrill away faster than having those puddles find their way into your basement. Water damage from spring or overland flooding, even a small amount, can be costly to homeowners. It is also something that many people don't realize isn't covered in their home insurance policy – meaning they are on the hook for any cleanup, restoration and prop- erty damage. "I hate to say it but 'an ounce of preven- tion is worth a pound of cure' when it comes to spring and overland flooding," says Tiffany Ritchot-Marsden, property and casualty insurance supervisor for CAA Manitoba Insur- ance. "People have to implement preventative measures on their own because they are not covered." Simple House Maintenance Measures • Shovel any excess snow away from your home. • Clean eavestroughs on a regular basis. If they overflow even when clean, replace them with larger size eavestroughs and downspouts. • Place downspout extensions far enough away from foundation walls to prevent water dam- age or seepage back into your house. • Ensure window wells drain properly. • Grade your lot so that water flows away from your house but does not affect neighbouring properties. Build up the ground around your house so that water flows away from base- ment walls. • Examine sidewalks, patios, decks and drive- ways. ese can settle over time, causing water to drain back towards your basement walls. • Don't throw garbage down sinks or toilets. This can clog your sewer and cause backup. Also, avoid pouring fat, oil or grease down your drain. As these liquids harden, they can also cause blockage. • Don't leave grass clippings, leaves or other debris on the streets. They can plug the drains and prevent proper drainage, particularly dur- ing heavy rainfalls. Plugged drains cause water to build up on the street; the water could then drain into the sewer system through manhole covers and increase your risk of basement flooding. So Sewer Me Spring showers can bring more than f lowers. Sewer backup occurs when the city or municipal drainage system overflows and sends water back through the pipes into your home. This may happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common is heavy rainfall or excess snowmelt overwhelming the system. e water and sew- age can come from various sources, including a septic tank, sewer or storm drain. Along with a great deal of mess, sewer backup can contribute to mould problems and, of course, bacteria from sewage that has entered the home. It requires immediate, proper and sometimes expensive cleanup and can also damage carpets, walls, furniture and other personal property. Ritchot-Marsden says sewer backup coverage is not automatically included in home insurance policies, but can be added as optional coverage when home insurance is first purchased or when you renew. While policies vary from provider to provider, coverage can range from $5,000 to $50,000. The cost can depend on location and pre- ventative measures installed, she explains, but considering how much it would cost to clean and repair a basement, including the replacement of damaged property, the expense of adding sewer backup coverage is minimal in comparison. Homeowners should also consider install- ing equipment to help counter the effects of sewer backup and to potentially help with obtaining coverage and/or better rates: • Have a licensed plumber install a backwater valve in the main sewer line in the basement. This device automatically closes if sewage backs up from the main sewer. • Install a sump-pump drainage system that includes a sump pit, sump pump and pump discharge pipe, which should lead away from your house, preferably onto a grassy area or non-paved surface. • Invest in batter y-operated sump-pump backup. Whether it's a mechanical failure, power outage or clogging, battery backup pumps handle the water the primary sump pump couldn't. Ritchot-Marsden reminds homeowners that while these elements do provide peace of mind, it's important to check and test pumps each spring before the rainy season begins and before you leave your house for long periods of time. By investing in a little extra care around the home and some added coverage, you won't let puddles put a damper on your spirit this spring. GP Do you have sewer backup coverage? For a free no-obligation quote, call CAA Manitoba Insurance at 204-262-6010 (in Winnipeg) or toll-free 1-855-779-0677 and let us find you the right protection. Are You Backed Up? How to protect your home from water damage by Carly Peters YOU'RE COVERED Have a water sensor installed to make sure you're alerted if your basement begins to flood. Call CAA Rewards partner ProTELEC Alarms (see ad on page 61).

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