19 May Commercial Basements: Tips For Flood Prevention

Disaster-level environmental flooding is becoming a common and costly problem in Canada. Commercial properties are not immune to the hazards and expense of basement flooding remediation.

One day, it’s business as usual. Then, another day, after heavy rains, your property’s basement could be submerged, leading to any number of business disruptions. A flooded commercial basement could leave occupants and owners unable to access the building, use equipment, conduct transactions, or retrieve critical documents. In the worst-case scenario, businesses could lose clients or tenants, miss contractual deadlines, or even face permanent closure.

So, protecting commercial real estate from basement flooding is crucial. Water damage in a basement can create health risks for occupants if left untreated due to damaged building materials and mould/mildew growth. And don’t forget, insurance policies don’t necessarily cover all water damage scenarios.

Taking proactive measures can help avoid many of the headaches created from the aftermath of water damage. Here’s how to stay afloat, even if your commercial property is affected.

Outside:

· Grade your site properly. Ensure the ground slopes away from the building’s foundation to direct water away from the basement walls. Water-absorbing landscaping can also help water flow away from your property.

· Regularly clean and maintain downspouts, eavestroughs, and nearby storm drains to ensure proper water flow away from the building.

· Clear snow and ice from around the foundation and ensure eavestroughs are free of debris to prevent water buildup. Properly fitting window well covers can also help with this.

· If major flooding is predicted and you have time to take more extensive, external protective steps, consider investing in our TriWater Bags or Box Barrier® systems. These systems work hard to keep rising water from coming near your foundation. They’re cost-effective, easy to use and store, and are reusable in flood-prone areas.

Drainage:

· Install backwater valves to prevent sewage from backing up into the building during heavy rain or sewer backups.

· Install a sump pump system with a battery backup to pump out water that accumulates in the basement. Our outdoor sump pump system and Pit Boss 24/7 monitoring system are ideal considerations.

· Ensure that basement drains are not blocked. If your business handles food, keep fats, oils, and grease out of the plumbing system.

Basement treatments:

· Repair any cracks and seal holes in the basement walls or floors to prevent water from seeping in.

· Use water-resistant building materials below ground level. Consider a complete moisture wicking system in your basement, such as our Leak Control diversion system.

· Keep stored goods, fixtures and furniture, furnaces/HVAC, water heaters, and electrical panels raised above any anticipated flood levels.

Additional Canadian Guides:

7 Tips to Protect Your Commercial Property from Floods (Western Financial Group/Insurance)

Tips to help protect your business from flood damage (Federated Insurance)