Here's How to Prepare Your Home for Floods

Floods are the number one natural hazard in Canada.

Whether limited to your basement or extended throughout the community, a flood can be devastating. Preparation is key to minimizing flood damage and ensuring a safe cleanup afterwards. Here's how get prepared for flood prevention and cleanup.

Flood Prevention

Flood Cleanup

Flood Prevention

A good flood prevention strategy includes long-term and emergency planning.

Long-term Planning

Flood-proofing your home includes both minor maintenance and major renovations. Some of these updates and upgrades are simple DIY tasks, while others may require professional assistance.

TIP: You don’t have to tackle your flood-prevention action list all at once. Prioritize upgrades based on need and budget.

Home Protection Products

Gear up with the essential equipment and supplies you’ll need to flood-proof your property and deal with emergencies.

TIP: Prioritize your first line flood defense. That includes everything you need to board up windows, vents and doors, plus equipment like a water detector and sump pump.

Emergency Preparedness

Here’s What to Do if There’s a Flood Warning or Evacuation Order

You may only have hours to prepare following a flood warning. Once an evacuation order is issued, you must leave quickly. Plan ahead so you can make the most of your time in each scenario.

TIP: Water can short out electronics, creating a potential fire hazard. Keep a fire extinguisher readily accessible on each floor, and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

If you need to evacuate, you may not have time to gather essential items. Plan ahead and keep everything together in a large bin, backpack or hockey bag, so you can quickly load your vehicle and head out. Here are some of the essential things you can add to your kit.

Flood Prevention

A good flood prevention strategy includes long-term and emergency planning.

Long-term Planning

Flood-proofing your home includes both minor maintenance and major renovations. Some of these updates and upgrades are simple DIY tasks, while others may require professional assistance.

TIP: You don’t have to tackle your flood-prevention action list all at once. Prioritize upgrades based on need and budget.

Home Protection Products

Gear up with the essential equipment and supplies you’ll need to flood-proof your property and deal with emergencies.

TIP: Prioritize your first line flood defense. That includes everything you need to board up windows, vents and doors, plus equipment like a water detector and sump pump.

Emergency Preparedness

Here’s What to Do if There’s a Flood Warning or Evacuation Order

You may only have hours to prepare following a flood warning. Once an evacuation order is issued, you must leave quickly. Plan ahead so you can make the most of your time in each scenario.

TIP: Water can short out electronics, creating a potential fire hazard. Keep a fire extinguisher readily accessible on each floor, and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Here’s What You’ll Need For Up to 3 Days Away from Home

Create Your Emergency Kit

Flood Cleanup

Before attempting any cleanup, be sure local authorities have given the all-clear to return to your home. Here’s how to deal with the aftermath of a flood, from assessment and damage control, to cleaning and repairs.

Returning Home After a Flood

Here’s How to Assess & Minimize Flood Damage

Be cautious when returning home after a flood evacuation. Be on the lookout for hazards, such as loose debris, unstable decks and porches, downed power lines and wandering animals.

Check off these top priority action items before starting your cleanup process:

Conduct an exterior inspection of your home: If you see damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines, contact authorities before entering
Keep the power off until the authorities have given the green light
Mark all outlets and appliances that were under water as “Not to be used” until they’ve been examined and/or repaired by a qualified electrician
For insurance purposes, list and photograph all damaged or lost items, and take photos of the water if it’s still in your home
Prevent mould development by opening windows, doors and vents, and encourage ventilation until all walls and floors have been cleaned
Check with your local municipality to ensure all external drains are working

TIP: Use fans, dehumidifiers and air conditioners to dry out your home as quickly as possible, as mould can start growing within a day or two of floodwaters draining.

Safe Cleanup & Repairs

Here’s How to Clean Up After a Flood

Before beginning your cleanup, make sure you have personal protective gear to stay safe. This includes dust masks, goggles, safety boots, rubber gloves and long-sleeve shirts and pants.

TIP: Dry your carpets as fast as possible to avoid mould and mildew, but let your wood dry slowly to help prevent it from warping or splitting.

Here’s How to Drain a Flooded Basement

Step 1:

Don’t pump the water out too quickly, as pressure from the waterlogged soil outside can cause your basement walls to cave in.

Step 2:

Pump the water down to three feet, then check it the next day. If the water level has risen, wait another day and then pump the water down to three feet again. Repeat this process until the water level remains stable.