Storm fallout: Flooding basements, damaged roofs, more cold ahead

Article content

Snowbanks left by storms that blanketed the London region, combined with this week’s rising temperatures, are resulting in a big melt that’s flooding basements and damaging roofs across the city, London property restoration companies say. LFP reporter Beatriz Baleeiro digs into the details.

Article content

Article content

WHAT DOES THE DAMAGE?

Cracks in foundations, pump failures, and ice damming after last week’s heavy snowfall are causing headaches for a number of households faced with basement floods as temperatures well above freezing arrived over the past couple of days.

Article content

“Melting snow loads on roofs are probably the most pressing concern, especially if we have a cold snap,” said Christopher Rutledge from All Perils Response and Restoration.

One example of the problem was at the Metro store in east London, Rutledge said, where the snow load was damaging the roof.

“That’s when we’re going to have real problems, and if it doesn’t fully melt and drain away, as soon as there’s a cold snap, you can have an ice dam across the roof,” Rutledge said, referencing the build-up on sloped roofs that freezes at the eaves.

When snow from the roof melts, the water falls to the ground. And if there’s too much snow piled against the house, the water can start leaking into the home.

CAN YOU PREVENT IT?

The good news is, most of these problems are preventable, although prevention needs to happen ahead of snow storms.

No property is immune, said Shawn Abei from Super Team Restoration Experts.

“I woke up in the morning and had some water in the basement. I had the trucks pump it out and set up humidifiers and fans,” Abei said.

His advice to prevent flooding? “Keep an eye out on the basement. Look around the house for built-up snow, and shovel it away from the house,” he said, adding homeowners should also ensure their sump pumps are working.

Article content

Article content

Make sure the shingles on the roof are intact, noted Daniel Ayoub from Across Canada Restorations. The company attended about 50 flooded basements during the past few days and several leaking roofs, Ayoub said.

HELP FROM CITY HALL?

Some tips from city officials include ensuring flood “preventative devices” such as sump pumps are working properly. The city also offers safety tips near waterways and while driving during melts – including being especially cautious in low-lying areas and being aware of slick spots on city streets.

The city also offers the basement flooding grant program, which provides financial assistance for property owners whose basements flood and also bankrolls eligible flood-protection measures.

Qualifying homeowners can get money to cover some of the costs of disconnecting their weeping tiles from the city’s sanitary or storm systems and redirecting them to a new sump pit and sump pump.

It’s been “relatively quiet” over the past few days for Brad Weber, city hall’s division manager of sewer operations, with only a “handful” of calls about basement flooding.

Article content

“But those have been classified as private issues and not related to backed-up or overloaded city sewer mains,” Weber said. “We’ve had a few calls relating to blocked catch basins (on Monday), which were largely due to snow cover, and anticipate calls to remain relatively low, considering the forecast.”

Visit london.ca/flooding for more information about preventing basement flooding.

LONDON’S FORECAST

Warmer weather will accompany as much as 10 millimetres of rain, and the temperatures are expected to melt some of the snow piles, causing runoff and elevated water levels throughout the week, according to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA).

“UTRCA is encouraging the public to be cautious around local watercourses as snow melts with warming temperatures. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with fast-moving cold water, pose a serious hazard,” officials said.

Environment Canada expects temperatures to remain above zero through Wednesday. But the national weather agency is forecasting a steep drop Wednesday night, when temperatures will hit -8 C – and that deep freeze is expected to continue until Saturday.

bbaleeiro@postmedia.com
@BeaBaleeiro

Article content