Enjoy Spring With a Flood Prevention Plan

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Remove snow and ice from your roof.

When spring temperatures signal the close of winter, many White Bear Lake, MN, business owners and customers look forward to getting outside and enjoy the sunshine. It's important to recognize, however, that the spring thaw often leads to flooding. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent a visit from your local water damage repair company, starting with fall and winter chores.

Steps to Prevent  Spring Flooding 

• Keep runoff points, such as rain gutters, free of snow and ice.
  
• Insulate any pipes on or near the exterior of your buildings.
  
• When shoveling snow, pile it up away from the foundation of your building.
  
• Arrange for snow and ice removal for the protection of your roof and rain gutters.
  
• Complete sump pump maintenance to be sure the pump can handle rising water levels from a frozen pipe or spring flood.
  

The care you take in doing these tasks before the spring thaw are effective ways to protect your building if floodwaters do rise.

Turn Your Attention Outside

After making sure that you won't suffer from a frozen pipe on your property, you can turn your attention outside. For example, if there's a street drain on or near your land, such as in the parking lot, take time to clean it off. When water isn't allowed to run freely, the resulting overflow could cause damage to your property. Pay similar attention to the gutters around your property.

Take a Community View

After all your preventative methods, there may still some risk of flooding in your community. Prepare for this eventuality by stocking up on sandbags. If water begins to accumulate due to melting snow or other causes, position sandbags where they can prevent water from getting into doorways, basement windows, and other openings around your foundation. You may also want to reach out to community leaders if you recognize issues that should be addressed by road crews, etc.

It isn't unusual for the spring thaw to lead to flooding, but this doesn't mean that your business needs to suffer. Your preventative actions in the fall and winter and ongoing actions can set your mind at ease.