Strategies for Safeguarding Your Domestic Space: A Comprehensive Guide
Protect Your Property from Floods: Essential Steps to Consider
Living in a low-lying area doesn't mean you have to live forever in fear of flooding. By implementing several basic measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of flooding and even prevent your sewer network from getting overloaded. However, these solutions should be tailored to your specific situation, as no two properties are exactly the same. Here are some essential elements to inspect first:
1. Backflow Preventers
Backflow preventers are invaluable when it comes to preventing floodwater from backing up into your building. These nifty devices only allow water to flow in one direction, effectively keeping wastewater confined to the sewer system. A property situated in Montreal may require more than one type of backflow preventer in various locations (main collector, toilet or shower return, floor drain). Backflow preventers are mandatory in new constructions, during plumbing work, and even for buildings that have already experienced flooding. Remember, they should be easily accessible and inspected regularly.
2. Enhanced Water Drainage
A crucial aspect of defending your property from flooding is to ensure adequate drainage. This can be accomplished with a submersible pump installed at the lowest point in the basement, typically in a pit or sump. Ideally, this pump should be connected to a backup battery to continue functioning during power outages. It's also essential to enable water to drain through a floor drain while a French drain (also known as perimeter drain) will collect rainwater that seeps along the foundation, effectively channeling it away from vulnerable areas.
3. Exterior Modifications
To repel water, the land surrounding your property should slope downward by at least 2%. Utilizing materials like permeable paving and gravel that promote water absorption through the soil can help decrease runoff, as can vegetated surfaces such as rain gardens where flood-tolerant plants are planted.
4. Garage Entrances
Constructing a garage with an incline is now largely prohibited in new Montreal constructions due to the increased risk it poses during heavy rains. To safeguard your building, consider permanently closing the garage and filling in the incline if local regulations allow it. Alternatively, you can install a watertight garage door with a drain in front along with a hump between the street and the entrance to prevent water from the street flowing into the garage.
5. Temporary Solutions
If permanent modifications are not feasible or do not provide enough protection, temporary sandbags can be used during heavy rain. Research conducted at the National Research Council of Canada indicates that inflatable sandbags are the most effective at keeping water out. These sandbags can be placed in doors and windows to block them and prevent water from entering.
6. Gutters and Downspouts
For homes with sloping roofs, Montreal regulations forbid gutters from being connected to the foundation drain or the sewer to avoid overloading the municipal network. Instead, downspouts should be directed towards permeable surfaces that are at least 1.5 meters away from foundations. In case you have a rain barrel to collect rainwater, the overflow must follow the same regulations.
By integrating these measures, you create a comprehensive flood defense strategy that ensures water remains outside your property lines, minimizing the chance of water intrusion, and efficiently managing drainage to guarantee sewer systems are not overburdened, ultimately protecting your property from floods.
In the realm of home-improvement, integrating a French drain system into your home-and-garden design can aid in channeling rainwater away from vulnerable areas, thereby contributing to a robust flood defense strategy. To further improve your French lifestyle, consider installing a rain garden lined with flood-tolerant plants, as such a home-and-garden feature can help decrease runoff and contribute to enhanced water drainage.
