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Unfortunately, homeowners may have to deal with floods more often due to our ever-changing and more severe weather, plus more common things like broken pipes, poor drainage, clogged gutters, malfunctioning appliances or foundation damage. So, it makes sense for homeowners to have a plan no matter what time of year.

Dealing with any emergency is stressful, but having an emergency plan (even if it seems unlikely to happen), is always a good start. Know the flood risks in your community and make sure your home insurance covers floods and specific types of emergencies that can affect your home — and have an emergency kit.

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Consistent home maintenance of your mechanics will always help protect your home, but sometimes it’s beyond the homeowner’s control or just an unfortunate circumstance that arises. There are, however, some things you should know, especially when it comes to electricity and water, since mixing them could cause severe electrical shock or death.

If you are experiencing severe weather and there’s the potential for flooding and the need for you to leave your home, but there is no flood water currently in your basement, you can do a few things. If you have the time, unplug and move your electrical appliances and devices out of your home, or move them to an area in the house outside the reach of flood water. Also, do a quick survey outside your home and unplug and store extension cords indoors, above potential flood lines. Authorities may suggest you turn off your home’s power and gas lines.

But what if you’ve been away, or there’s been a storm, and you arrive home to a flooded basement where water may have been in contact with or damaged your electrical system? Enter your basement with caution and if you can see from a safe distance that the water level is above the electrical outlets, covers, power cords, baseboard heaters or furnace, or near your electrical panel — DO NOT ENTER the basement. Also, if the water has subsided, there is a potential that water has come into contact with or damaged the electrical, so be cautious as electricity can move through water or wet flooring, causing shock or death. To be safe, call your local electrical authority before you enter your basement.

As a reminder, do not try to use any products if they have been in contact with flood water. You must wait for your local electrical authority to disconnect the power before you can safely enter your basement to assess any damage.

Also, when surveying outside your home, be cautious and do not go near any flooded outdoor appliances such as hot tubs and air conditioners. There could also be downed power lines in your area. If you see this, stay at least 10 meters (32 feet), back and call 9-1-1.

There are several things you can do to help prevent basement flooding. Make sure you know where your floor drain is and that it is not covered or hidden by furniture or carpet. Install a sump pump, backup pump, power supply, and backwater valve. Depending on your situation and budget, I recommend installing a portable or standby generator as added protection, but be aware of the safety guidelines for proper usage.

After any flooding, and once it’s safe to restore power, you must always hire a licensed electrical contractor to check your home’s electrical system and repair or replace any damages to ensure it is safe.

When you have a flood in your house, it’s natural to want to do things quickly, but recovering from it is a slow process, will take time, and requires a recovery plan. One of the first things you should do is call your insurance company. In some cases, if the flood damage is not reported in the first 24 hours, it won’t be covered.

Part of the time consists of making sure your wall cavity dries out properly, so there’s no mould or mildew. Also, don’t start putting drywall back up until an air test is performed. You may be dealing with indoor air-quality issues, mould and degrading building materials, if you don’t slow down and take it step by step. Have a plan and know what you need to do, depending on your situation. You will likely need to find a good flood cleanup company that can assess the damage and provide you with a quote, but slow down and do your research.

It might even be a good idea to have some companies already researched as back up. And make sure you hire a licensed electrical contracting business to ensure peace of mind for you and your family.

Residents of the GTA can apply for season 2 of Holmes Family Rescue atmakeitright.ca.

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