Summer in Toronto is here and it’s easy to just enjoy the mild temperatures and sunny days without a worry in the world about the weather. However, it is often during the summer that record amounts of rainfall occur. Just take a look at this article, which lists some of the major centres for rainfall in North America – if you look closely enough, you can see Toronto, bathing in a healthy amount of precipitation. If you check the dates for annual rainfall, you will see that a good number of rainfall events took place during July or August.
This is where you need a reliable plumber to take some simple steps to protect your home from flood damage. While you can do this yourself, it really takes a professional to do it right. Any reliable plumber in Toronto should offer round the clock service and should perform this service without charging a great deal. Put a trustworthy, round-the-clock plumber in the contacts on your phone, and if your basement floods, you call them immediately. They will come and inspect the damage, and will then do their best to determine the cause and suggest a course of action.
So what exactly will they do? Well, there are a number of things they can do. Whenever flooding occurs, it is mainly your basement that is at risk, so that is what they concentrate on. If the water is going to get higher than that, you should probably evacuate. One thing a plumber can do is install a sump pump in the basement, to pump water out of the basement if necessary, which will keep water from building up and flooding the entire basement.
Another thing they can do is install a backwater valve – this is simply a valve that closes automatically when the water is about to come up through the drain. They can also inspect both basement and foundation for cracks, sealing them if needed. Drain backup is one of the main causes of basement flooding, so, if you’re a homeowner, it certainly pays to be proactive.
Sometimes, a flooding issue can be caused by something as simple as a clogged downspout, clogged roof gutters, or a blockage in the connection between your home and the main sewer line. Grading and Drainage can also contribute to flooding problems. This is one reason that you should always keep your gutters and downspouts clean and clear. Another thing you should do is install some shelving in your basement, so that all items and valuables can be kept off the floor. But even with all these precautions, it is possible that some water will get in.
Summer in Toronto is relatively nice, but don’t sit back and get lazy. You need to get prepared! If you think you might have this problem, find a good local plumber with round the clock service and cross this one off your list.