One cheap way for cities to reduce basement flood risk
June 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation is encouraging Canadian municipalities to follow the example of Nova Scotia municipalities that are distributing basement flood prevention tips to property owners with their tax bill. Starting Friday June 12, both the town and…
How the industry is mobilizing ‘small armies’ to help reduce flood risk
October 30, 2019 by Adam MalikIntact’s Centre on Climate Adaptation is “zeroing in” on flood risk mitigation, educating professionals in other industries about flood risk so that more eyes are watching out for dangers in homes across Canada. Blair Feltmate, head of the Intact Centre…
How basement flooding devalued this property
September 17, 2018 by Greg MeckbachRecurring basement flooding means a homeowner’s property is worth about $35,000 less than it would otherwise be valued at for tax purposes, says an official from the board that hears Ontario property tax appeals. Sharon Latta owns a home near…
Top 3 measures to mitigate home flood risk
September 7, 2018 by Greg MeckbachYour book of business could have lower water losses if you give homeowner clients just three pieces of advice. First, homeowners should figure out whether their home actually has a backwater valve, said Cheryl Evans, director of the home flood…
Toronto’s density, old sewer system lead to flooding, observers say
August 22, 2018 Gabriele Roy - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Steady rain and thunderstorm warnings in Toronto on Tuesday had residents bracing for waterlogged streets and transit delays for the third time in as many weeks, with the city saying it was prepared to respond quickly to urgent…
How to advise your clients on backwater valves
July 12, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIt’s all well and fine if your homeowner clients have backwater valves, but are they alarmed? An alarm that tells occupants that a backwater valve has been activated “can be a very simple way to let people know if the…
Why this city is billed as “progressive” in reducing flood risk
July 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachToronto is one of the most progressive cities in taking steps to reduce basement flood risk, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) director of research Dan Sandink said Thursday in an interview. And a ban on below-grade garages is Exhibit A…
One risk to your client if the neighbouring property is abandoned
June 18, 2018 by Greg MeckbachLindsay Bunce got a nasty shock one colder winter day when she and her husband went down to the basement of their Toronto home. “We were surprised to find about two inches of water across our basement and water coming…
The $50 plumbing part that could help prevent a flooded basement
March 14, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorLooking to advise homeowners on ways to reduce basement flood risk? Consider reminding consumers to shut off the water flowing to the garden hose in winter. FirstOnSite Restoration sees a lot of incidents where homeowners forget to shut off the…
Court closes door on homeowner plan to build a basement walkout below a flood line
February 22, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorA Grande Prairie, Alta.-area property owner who installed a basement door below the one-in-100-year flood line should replace it with a window above the flood line, the Alberta Court of Appeal has ruled, upholding efforts by the municipality to stop…
Why basement flooding victim can’t sue home seller
February 2, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorThe owner of a Winnipeg home who experienced basement flooding in 2010 has lost her bid to sue both the couple who sold her the home and the sellers’ real estate agent for allegedly misrepresenting the extent of foundation cracks.…
ICLR report examines legal tools to mandate stormwater management on the part of homeowners
May 24, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction released Tuesday a report intended as an “initial discussion paper” on the issue of mandating flood risk reduction measures on the part of private property owners. The report – Assessing local mandatory measures to…