Basement flooding from snow melt can be prevented

CBC News Posted: Mar 26, 2015 6:04 AM AT

As the massive amount of snow that has fallen on P.E.I. melts it's got to go somewhere, and many homeowners fear it could end up flooding their basements.

Kevin Musgrove of Ridgeback Basement Systems says there are several preventative measures homeowners can take to prevent basement flooding from melting snow. (Pat Martel/CBC)

There are some immediate things people can do to prevent flooding, says Kevin Musgrove, basement and foundation specialist with Ridgeback Basement Systems.

Musgrove suggests using a snowblower or shovel to remove drifts that are against the foundation of your house.

"Once that snow starts to pile up and starts to melt, you know, a cubic foot of snow can have anywhere from four to five litres of water once it melts," said Musgrove.

"That snow is just going to go directly down beside your foundation, and once that water table builds up, and water seepage you'll see on the floor, and where the wall meets, just water starting to trickle in." 

Musgrove says heavy snow should also be removed from roofs, and downspouts checked to make sure they are open.

And he suggests homeowners ensure their sump pumps are working.