With rain falling in Windsor Wednesday, the City has provided tips on how you can protect your home from flooding.
The forecast from Environment Canada called for 15 to 25 millimetres of rain. While that may not be enough to trigger significant basement flooding, the City said homeowners can take precautions to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
According to the City's engineering department, homeowners are encouraged to keep their home's downspouts out of public drainage systems and have excess water guided to lawns or rain gardens. Grading around your home's foundation should be away from exterior walls to make it easier for water to pool and drain naturally.
The City also recommends keeping eaves troughs clear of leaves and other debris so water can flow easily. Cascading water can affect your home's foundation if the water flow is strong enough. The same thing goes for catch basins near your property.
If your home has a sump pump, check it regularly to ensure it is on and working properly. An investment into a backup system may also save money for cleanup in the long run.
The City offers a service called "eeling", during which a blocked sewer lateral is cleaned out up to three times in 24 hours. After that, the lateral will need to be replaced. Call 311 if you'd like this service performed.
The Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy is also available for residents, providing a subsidy of up to $2,800 to install a sump pump with overflow, backwater valves, and-or disconnect foundation drains from the floor drain. Complete information on that can be found on the City's official website.