Protect Your Home from Flooding This Spring

March 13, 2024 at 8:00am in Community, Energy, Homeownership

Southcentral Alaska has seen one of the snowiest winters on record and many commercial and residential building owners have had to remove snow from their roofs as a safety precaution.

While this can be a wise preventative measure, the already high volume of snow on the ground coupled with snow coming off roofs may increase the risk of flooding come spring.

AHFC’s Research and Rural Development department recommends homeowners and property owners remove snow from around the sides of their homes to avoid water seeping into basements and crawl spaces as the snow melts. Leaving a few feet of clear space around the perimeter can offer a helpful buffer between your home and the spring thaw.

Spring Maintenance Tips

While you’re clearing the snow, here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

Check your window wells and remove excessive buildup of snow to avoid leaks.
Check the drainage around your house. Snowmelt should run away from your foundation, not towards it. If there are spots where water will pool around the foundation, be prepared to shovel out a trench to direct it away from the house.
Check gutters and downspouts for damage and make sure water is able to flow freely.
Check your home’s foundation walls for moisture.
If you see evidence of water seeping in, take steps to control it before the problem becomes worse – excessive moisture in your home may elevate the risk of unhealthy air due to mold and mildew.

A little extra attention (and shoveling) now can help you prepare your home for spring and potentially avoid a costly flooding scenario down the road.

Visit AHFC’s Resource Information Center Library for more tips and information from Research and Rural Development.