Spring flooding – Why does it happen and what’s the damage?

Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. But with warming temperatures, melting snow and heavy rain, spring floods can cause significant damage to homes and other property, leaving homeowners with costly repairs and restoration. Some of the damage can be covered by insurance, but prevention is the best way to protect your home.

Spring flooding can occur due to a number of factors, but the most common is a combination of melting snow and heavy rainfall. As the snow melts, it adds to the volume of water in rivers and lakes, causing them to overflow their banks. Heavy rain can exacerbate the situation by adding even more water to already swollen waterways, and saturating the ground around your home.

In recent years, the frequency and severity of flooding have been increasing due to changing weather patterns related to climate change. In fact the five most costly floods in Canadian history all happened between 2010 and 2020, and 20% of homes in Canada are considered at risk. In Ontario, major flooding caused by a heavy rainstorm in Toronto in 2013 led to more than $940 million in damage, the fifth costliest natural disaster in Canadian history.

Spring flooding can cause a wide range of damage to homes, including:

“For water in an unfinished basement, it typically takes at least three days just to dry it out,” says Noah Firestone, owner of Firestone Restoration in Ottawa. “If it’s a finished basement and the flooring is toast, then it’s a much bigger job.”

Firestone says that restoration costs start around $2,000 for a simple dry-out of an unfinished basement and $15,000 to $20,000 in a finished basement if floors have to be replaced. From there, it depends on the extent of the damage and value of the affected items, including floors, walls, wiring, cabinets and furniture.

Home insurance typically covers water damage caused by burst pipes or cracked toilets. Damage caused by natural disasters like spring flooding may not be covered, so it’s important to check your policy carefully.

Most insurance companies in Ontario now offer the following endorsements (extra coverage) that would pay for at least some spring flooding damage:

Check with your insurance broker whether these endorsements are already part of your policy, and if not, whether they are available in your area. Homes in certain postal codes known to be prone to repeated flooding, usually because they are close to a body of water, may not be eligible.

When it comes to costs related to spring flooding:

When water gets into your home, you may not be able to determine the extent of the problem without help from a professional.

“Homeowners usually won’t see how much area is actually wet,” says Firestone. “Usually the water has spread much further, and you can’t see it without moisture meters.”

In some cases, you may also encounter disagreements with your insurance company as to how much cleanup is needed and whether some items need to be replaced, especially when it comes to damage from category 3 (or highly contaminated) water. There are international standards set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for how to handle this kind of cleanup.

“We help the homeowner through it,” says Firestone. “To support a claim, I can show the adjuster infrared pictures of where it was wet, and quote the IICRC, where it says that if it’s category 3 water, it should be removed.”

Even if the water is not contaminated, certain items like laminate flooring, furniture and cabinets made of particle board can be permanently deformed by water damage. This will usually be resolved between you and your adjuster. Your broker can help.

“To understand your coverage, sometimes your broker is your best friend,” says Firestone. “They don’t have a vested interest in whether it’s covered or not covered. They can walk you through it and make sure you’re treated fairly.”

Here are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of water damage to your home and possessions:

Firestone also recommends running a dehumidifier in the basement all the time.

“Finished basement, unfinished basement, even if there’s a little seepage that won’t cause major damage, there’s always some humidity, and the more humidity, the more likely you’ll get mold.”

If you’ve already had a groundwater claim, your home insurer may ask for proof that you’ve fixed your foundation before your next renewal. This can be as simple as filling a crack, or in extreme cases you may need to dig around the perimeter of the foundation and seal it from the outside. Costs vary from $1,500 to $15,000 and won’t be covered by insurance. Likewise, if you have a sewer backup claim and don’t already have a backflow valve and sump pump, you will need to have these issues properly addressed, or you could find it a challenge to get home insurance in the future.

Mitch Insurance works with some of the top home insurers in Ontario. Talk to one of our home insurance specialists today to make sure you have the best coverage available for water damage. We can get you dozens of quotes and explain the coverages to you, and we’ll be there for you later if something happens. Give us a shout.

^[1] _{Note that the Ontario building code now requires all new homes to be built with backflow valves and sump pumps.}