Make Sure Your House Stays Dry
It’s no fun to come home to find your basement flooded. Even if your home insurance covers some water damage, it can’t replace the sentimental value of belongings like family photos, travel souvenirs, and rare items, which may be lost forever. It also can’t protect you from all the hassles you have to go through to fix your basement.
The specialists at The Personal General Insurance Inc., l’Association des propriétaires du Québec’s group insurer, know all about this problem because water damage is one of the claims that occur most frequently. They’ve suggested some tips, because many types of water damage can be avoided by taking basic preventative measures.
Water Infiltration Can Happen to Anyone
To prevent damage due to groundwater infiltration—
· Repair cracks in the foundation
· Direct gutter runoff away from the house
· Be sure that the land around your house is well drained and slopes away from the house. If necessary consult a professional to ensure your property has an adequate rainwater drainage system
· Make sure your basement pipes are equipped with check valves and a sump pit and pump to remove water
Considerable damage can be caused by water backing up into basement pipes (toilet, shower, laundry tub, and floor drain) due to heavy rains or tree roots damaging a sanitary sewer. Or a drainage pipe (French drain) alongside your home can develop a crack and rupture, causing water to saturate and infiltrate the foundations.
For this reason you should make sure that your home insurance includes additional coverage against sewer backup and groundwater seepage.
For more safety tips or a home or auto insurance quote, please visit thepersonal.com/apq or call 1 888 476-8737.