City of Montreal gives guidelines
As the climate continues to change, cities worldwide, including Montreal, are experiencing increasingly intense rainfall, leading to rapid accumulation on streets and potential flooding of residences. Protecting your property against such events is crucial to mitigate damage and ensure safety. Several measures can be taken to adapt your building and limit the impact of heavy rains.
Identifying Vulnerabilities
One of the first steps in protecting your home is identifying potential vulnerabilities. Assess if your residence has low entry points that might allow sudden water entry from the street. Verify the presence and functionality of backwater valves on plumbing fixtures located below street level. Ensuring these valves are operational is essential for all floor drains and plumbing fixtures like toilets and faucets.
Preventative Measures
Keep the surrounding area of your residence clear of debris that could block water flow into street drains, facilitating surface runoff capture. In basements, ensure floor drains are unobstructed and store valuables in waterproof containers. It is also critical to check the waterproofing of the building’s openings. For doors and windows located at or below street level, consider using permanent or temporary protective measures such as waterproof barriers and removable flood shields.
Specific Building Types
For homes with pitched roofs, make sure the gutters direct water onto a permeable surface and are not connected to the foundation drain. In buildings like duplexes or triplexes, where a single internal pipe might combine roof rainwater and sanitary waste, there is a risk of water backing up through plumbing fixtures during a severe storm. It is advisable to separate the rainwater drainage from the flat roof, following the recommended guidelines.
Vulnerability Maps
Consulting the Vulnerability Maps for climatic hazards in Montreal, specifically the 2021 Identification of Basins map, can help you identify areas where natural topography may lead to water accumulation during torrential rains. This information is vital for understanding and mitigating risks specific to your location.
Concrete Actions for a Safer Future
The City of Montreal has outlined ten major measures to adapt its territory to heavy rainfall, detailed in its Flood Resilience Action Plan. This plan includes support measures for property owners to enhance their buildings’ resilience. The city offers advisory services to help owners better equip themselves to protect their buildings.
Subsidy Programs
If costly renovations are necessary to adapt your building, the City of Montreal’s RenoPlex program provides subsidies for certain works that reduce flood risks. Check the criteria and eligibility for your renovation projects. The revision of the RenoPlex program aims to make it more accessible to a broader range of property owners, as part of the ongoing efforts in the Flood Resilience Action Plan.
By taking proactive steps and utilizing available resources, you can significantly improve your building’s ability to withstand the challenges posed by heavy rainfall, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for your property.
