Spring is a great time of the year. The days are getting longer, the snow is melting, the grass gets greener by the day. Most homeowners are looking forward to putting the winter months of shoveling snow in the cold behind them. Some homeowners are wishing they had been more selective in their snow removal process. When it is cold out you are not thinking about where you piled the snow. You just want to quickly shovel your driveway or the walkway from your garage to your house. Come spring when you have water in your basement, you might wish you had been thinking about the slope to your driveway or yard.
Homeowners who have piled snow up against their home or close to their detached garage may now have to face the consequences of that decision. Melting snow has to find somewhere to go. Now that path you shoveled all winter to walk along makes a great path for water to run. That path runs straight to your garage door, or to your home.
When a home is built, the City of Edmonton has drainage regulations put in place (Drainage Bylaw 18093). This regulation is to direct surface runoff away from your home and towards a back lane or street. The aim is to prevent flooding or erosion issues for your home. That being said, if you have piled snow along the foundation of your home melting water may pool along your foundation. It is always best practice to pile snow away from your home. Ensure the snow you removed is pushed to the sides of your yard. This prevents run off from flowing towards your home or garage when melting.
When you have an increased amount of snow around the foundation of your home the current safeguards you have in place may not be enough to prevent water from penetrating your home. Things like weeping tile, sump pumps, water membranes on the exterior concrete, downspout extensions all help to prevent water from seeping into your basement.
Some times even with the proper precautions you can still end up with water in your basement. If in the spring or after a heavy summer rainfall you get water in your basement. It is likely in your best interests to contact an expert!
