Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. (www.SureSealPavement.com), the leading provider of asphalt sealcoating in Brampton and the Peel Region, is commenting on flood prevention after Environment Canada issued a recent weather statement.
After a forecast of significant amounts of rain the Ottawa region, Environment Canada issued a statement calling for city residents to help prevent flooding. Environment Canada said that warm temperatures combined with snow and rainfall could lead to localized flooding throughout Ottawa. (Source: “As temperatures rise, City of Ottawa asks residents to help prevent flooding,” CBC News, January 9, 2016; http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/catch-basins-ottawa-1.3397026.)
“Flooding is a real risk during the winter months,” says Lance Bradshaw, president and CEO of Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. “When you have increased snowfall or rainfall, there’s a much greater risk of flooding, which can cause a lot of property damage. Property owners have to be aware.”
Environment Canada requested that Ottawa residents help clear catch basins around the city. Catch basins are the drains and grates on streets through which rain and water runoff can flow.
“The purpose of catch basins is to prevent pooling water and flooding,” says Bradshaw. “However, they can become easily clogged. When you have heavy rainfall, debris and garbage can be carried into catch basins, clogging them and leading to flooding.”
While city crews do regularly clear catch basins, there are over 56,000 in Ottawa, which makes it difficult for the city to keep up with maintenance. Garbage, debris, snow, and ice can all end up covering catch basin openings.
“The problem is that flooding can easily cause severe damage,” notes Bradshaw. “Water seeps into pavement and degrades the ground underneath, leading to potholes. Not only can this cause severe damage on city streets, but if flooding spills over onto people’s driveways, it can also cause damage there.”
While Environment Canada is calling on residents to help prevent flooding, Bradshaw says this should be a sign they should take a look at their own properties. He says catch basins can be important for preventing flooding on level driveways and that they need to be regularly cleared.
“It’s important that catch basins are a regularly maintained,” says Bradshaw. “It’s important for the city, but it’s even more important for property owners to ensure they are doing everything to reduce flooding on their own property. The city can cover damage that occurs on the roads, but property owners can find themselves on the hook for a lot of money if damage occurs on their property.”
As the leading pavement maintenance contractor in the GTA, Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. specializes in catch basin repairs, rebuilding, and repaving. It offers an industry-leading seven-year structural warranty. More information can be found at www.SureSealPavement.com.