Photo: Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP, staff

By Abby Zieverink

Tips to prevent flooding

Locals reminded to be prepared for big thaw over next week

Jan 20, 2022 | 6:00 AM

The deep freeze and thaw cycle occurring across the Grande Prairie region along with the rest of Alberta can potentially cause flooding in residential homes.

During freeze and thaw periods, the Grande Prairie Fire Department is offering up tips to help residents prepare their property to avoid any potential risks.

Fire Marshal Chris Renyk says with the rainstorm and snow earlier in the week and a period of warm temperatures setting over the Swan City in the next several days, the rain has made the snow significantly heaver on roofs, which he explains can cause a layering effect.

“So the previous pounds per square inch was almost doubled or tripled as a result, so snow loads are rather heavy,” he explained.

“If you can exercise the use of a professional in the community to come in with a snow rake and action that snow on your roof and pull it away from your house and actually get it effectively away so it isn’t thawing immediately adjacent to your house. (that could help alleviate pressure on the roof).”

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Renyk emphasizes that it is crucial to shovel snow away from your home as snow as storm sewer drains and sump pumps can become overrun from the increase of drainage through their weeping tile.

“It’s a good thing to make sure your sumps are working whether or not you have a battery backup or planning on being away for an extended period of time and if you have an alarm system connected to it, that it is in fact working,” explained Renyk.

“One thing people forget is that snow works as a good insulator, but anything underneath is still melting and so the ground is still frozen. So you probably have a good foot-and-a-half or two feet of frozen ground that is going to move to the path of least resistance, and that’s adjacent to the house.”

Using an ice chipper to clear snow build-up around window wells, walkout basements, and doors he suggests is an effective, preventative measure to prevent flooding.

Renyk suggests clearing snow and debris from drains adjacent to your home is effective as snow and ice begin to thaw.

“That helps for any melting that’s going to be coming from the road and help keep ice and snow and debris from catching in the area.”

Renyk also reminds residents in Grande Prairie to drive safe in the conditions. While the warm temperatures will be welcomed by many, he reminds people that in the evenings, the roads can change from dry to ice quickly.