Extreme weather and aging plumbing contribute to an increasing risk of water damage.

RSA's property experts have provided these simple pointers to help minimize the risk to your home. These tips can have an immediate impact on protecting your home and your valuable possessions.

Tips for Preventing Outdoor Water Damage

• Check your eavestroughs and downspouts every spring and fall to ensure that they are not blocked.
• Downspouts should discharge at least 3 feet from the side of your home, away from your neighbour's property.
• Disconnect any downspouts that are connected to the sewer system.
• Install window wells on basement windows at or near ground level.
• Have a licensed professional check your weeping tiles in case they are damaged or blocked.
• Older clay piping can get blocked with tree roots and water can get into your home. Consider having them replaced with metal, PVC, or ABS pipes.

Tips for Preventing Indoor Water Damage

• Have a licensed plumbing professional install a backwater valve to help prevent sewer backup. Check with your municipality regarding any permits required or by-laws that may exist.
• Install a sump pump to prevent ground water from entering your basement. Check the sump pump regularly to make sure it is functioning properly. If you choose to install an electric sump pump, consider installing a battery operated back up in the event of a power outage.
• Keep your drains and toilets free of household grease and other foreign objects that can cause blockage.
• Check with your municipality to see if they offer plumbing inspection services or a subsidy for installing a sump pump or backflow valve.

Protect your home when you are away

If you go away for 3 or more days in the winter, follow these easy steps to help prevent water damage:

• Turn off the water supply and drain your pipes.
• If you can't turn off the water supply, install a temperature alarm to help prevent your home's temperature from dropping too rapidly and freezing the water in your pipes.
• Get someone you trust to check your home every three days to make sure it's adequately heated.
• Don't leave appliances like washing machines on when you are not at home.

Basement Flooding and Sewer Backup

During heavy rainstorms, the main sewer line can become over loaded, pushing raw sewage and waste water up through the drains and into the basement. Other factors that can cause basement flooding include:

• Sump pump failure
• A blocked connection between your home and the city sewer line
• Deteriorated weeping tiles
• Inadequate lot grading
• Malfunctioning appliances
• Frozen Pipes

Sewer backup is an optional coverage. Call your broker for more information on sewer backup coverage.

What to do when water damage happens

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you will experience water damage in your home. Don't panic, make sure everyone is safe, call RSA claims adn follow these steps:

• Do not touch electrical wires, appliances or devices.
• If the sanitary sewer backs up into your basement, don't flush the toilet or turn on any taps, even if you installed a backwater valve. This will only cause further flooding.
• Separate damaged property from undamaged property, and prepare an inventory of what has been lost or damaged.
• Take photographs of damaged property. If the property is covered, RSA will reimburse you for the cost of developing the photos.
• Keep receipts of any clean up costs incurred (i.e. wet/dry vacuum rentals, cleaning supplies, etc).

This article is for informational purposes only and is the property of Royal & Sun Alliance.

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