Avoid the Flood: How to Protect Your Home from Alberta’s Spring Melt

Why Spring Melt Flooding Happens in Alberta

Alberta’s freeze-thaw cycle is like a water-based rollercoaster. One day it’s -15°C, the next it’s +8°C and snow’s vanishing like magic.

This rapid melting overwhelms your:

• Foundation drainage

• Sump pump system

• Downspouts and grading

…especially when the ground is still frozen below the surface and can’t absorb the water. Result? Basement swimming pool (minus the fun floaties).

Top Risks That Could Sink Your Spring

Let’s look at the biggest offenders when it comes to spring flooding:

1. ❌ Poor Lot Grading

Water should flow away from your home. If your lot slopes toward the foundation, water pools right next to your house. That’s a flood waiting to happen.

2. ❌ Clogged or Detached Downspouts

If your downspouts are blocked or missing extensions, all that melting snow gets dumped directly beside your basement walls.

3. ❌ Sump Pump Neglect

Your sump pump is the unsung hero of spring—but if it fails, water has nowhere to go. Boom: flood.

4. ❌ Cracked Foundation or Basement Walls

Even tiny cracks can turn into open invitations for groundwater. Pressure from saturated soil makes matters worse.

How to Flood-Proof Your Castle This Spring

Let’s dive into what you can do to stay dry—no wet feet allowed!

✅ 1. Test Your Sump Pump NOW

Your sump pump should:

• Turn on automatically

• Drain water quickly

• Run quietly

To test it: Pour a bucket of water into the pit. The pump should kick on and drain it quickly. If it hesitates, fails, or makes weird noises, call us ASAP.

Pro Tip: Consider a battery backup system for power outages during melt season. We install them!

✅ 2. Inspect and Extend Downspouts

Make sure your downspouts:

• Are free of ice and debris

• Extend at least 6 feet away from your home

• Are pointed downhill or to a safe drainage area

Short or blocked downspouts = instant pooling at the base of your home. We’ve seen it time and time again.

✅ 3. Regrade Where Necessary

If your soil has settled or eroded over winter, it might now slope toward your house. Add compacted soil to redirect water away.

Need help spotting trouble areas? We offer on-site assessments with drainage recommendations.

✅ 4. Seal Foundation Cracks

Those hairline cracks in your foundation? They’re not just “character”—they’re potential flood channels.

Let us seal and waterproof those weak spots before meltwater finds them first.

✅ 5. Install a Backwater Valve

This little beauty prevents sewer backups during heavy runoff or city drainage overloads. If you don’t have one, you're at risk.

Bonus: The City of Edmonton offers rebates for installing backwater valves!

✅ 6. Keep Gutters Clean

Even in spring, gutters matter. Ice, twigs, and debris can clog drainage and cause water to spill over right onto your foundation.

Give your gutters a spring cleaning—or better yet, book us to inspect everything for you.

Jurassic-Pro Tip: Prevention Costs Less Than a Flood

Flood Cleanup	Average Cost
Drywall repair	$500 – $1,500
Flooring replacement	$1,000 – $5,000
Mold remediation	$2,000 – $6,000
Furniture & appliance loss	$$$
Peace of mind	Priceless

Don’t Wait for a Soaked Carpet

Whether you want a spring plumbing check-up or need urgent flood prevention help:

👉 Call us at 587-453-1019

👉 Email: info@jurassicmechanical.com

👉 Let’s keep your basement bone-dry this spring.

Jurassic Mechanical Plumbing & Heating Ltd.🌊 Protecting Alberta homes from prehistoric plumbing problems—one melt at a time.