Top Tips for Managing Attic Rain and Basement Flooding as a Tenant in Spring

When the cold, bitter sting of winter eventually fades, it’s a time of celebration for most. While we all love the opportunity for fun which the ice and snow present every year, the colder months come with their own share of challenges which we’re often glad to put behind us. 

With excitement for warmer weather just around the corner, it can be easy to overlook the impact which this transition between seasons can have on your home. While a concern like extreme heat is unlikely to be a factor in the spring, the damp nature of the season is something most tenants need to watch out for during this time of year. 

In this guide, we’re going to assess some of the chief offenders when it comes to keeping your home safe during springtime. From watching for and preventing the perils of attic rain, to making sure the basement doesn’t flood once the snow begins to thaw, here are some of our top spring tips for tenants and homeowners alike. 

Attic rain during the spring 

What is attic rain?

Attic rain is the process of warm air rising up and reacting with cold surfaces in your attic. The resulting condensation caused by this natural occurrence will accumulate over time, before eventually dripping down onto surfaces below. 

Spring is one of the most common periods for attic rain because of the sudden shifts between extreme cold and more moderate temperatures. As a result of these rapidly changing conditions, your loft doesn’t have time to warm quickly enough. This leaves cold pockets in nooks and crannies which warmer natural air (or energy from your home) gets trapped in. 

Common causes of attic rain include: 

• Poor installation. This makes it easier for warm air from your home or outside to travel in your attic. 

• Structural issues. Cracks or holes in your walls can also allow for air to travel where it ideally shouldn’t. 

• Ventilation problems. If your loft doesn’t allow moisture to escape, the chances of attic rain also increase. 

While spring is a common time of year to experience this phenomenon, high periods of humidity in the summer, as well as heavy snowfall which blocks ventilation systems in winter, can also trigger it. 

What are the signs and symptoms of attic rain in a property?

The signs of attic rain should be fairly easy to notice. 

• Stains. Yellow or brown staining on the ceiling below your attic are usually the most common signs. These usually form in a line directly under where condensation is dripping. 

• Damp insulation. You might also notice that any insulation in the affected area is wet when you touch it. 

• A mildew smell. Attics tend to have something of a natural musty smell to them at the best of times. But if you feel like the odor has increased, or if you can smell it from any other room of the home, it’s another telltale sign. 

The faster an issue is diagnosed and addressed, the better. Attic rain has the potential to cause long-term damage if allowed to go untreated. This includes obvious factors such as mold growth, mildew build-up, and damage to the structure of a roof – but also secondary factors such as increased energy bills owing to less efficient insulation. 

If you’re concerned your loft might have been affected, it might be wise to reach out to your landlord and book an attic inspection. Experts in the field can now even rely on thermal imaging to assess the condition of your attic without needing to apply deconstructive measures. That’s a huge weight off your mind if you’re a tenant worrying about the potential risk of further property damage. 

How can I prevent attic rain?

Attic rain prevention starts with you. Simple changes to your habits can have a big impact on the likelihood of being affected by excess moisture in your loft. That means things such as: 

• Turning down humidifiers during cold snaps

• Making sure snow isn’t blocking vents

• Running your bathroom fan for 10-to-15 minutes after you shower

• Checking that all your laundry vents are properly sealed and funneling air outside

If you’d like to take more extreme preventative measures, you can think about installing solar attic vents, upgrading the amount and quality of insulation in your home, or having a professional carry out dedicated roof repairs. If you’re a tenant who’s concerned attic rain might become a problem, be open and frank with your landlord about the potential risks and discuss these possibilities with them. 

Basement flooding during spring 

Basement flooding is something that Canadians have been tackling for generations. The overwhelming levels of precipitation – be that rain or snow – mean that very few periods of the year are safe from a flood. However, in spring, things tend to be a little worse. 

This time of year welcomes the not-so-perfect storm of flood-friendly conditions, with both higher levels of rain and the added factor of warmer temperatures melting snow and ice at a rapid pace. 

What causes rapid spring melting?

We can probably all get our heads around the concept of snow, slush, and ice melting and turning back into water. What makes spring melting far more of an issue for most Canadian homeowners and tenants is the speed at which it can happen, as well as secondary environmental factors. 

Here are some of the main contributing factors which make spring melting a major headache:

• Melting snow. First and foremost, spring melt’s primary cause is (unsurprisingly) melting snow. However, it’s not just the melting aspect which can lead to flooding issues, but also the refreezing which happens at night. If conditions are hovering around zero, the evening can see some of the melted snow freeze back into ice again. This can lead to pooling water if it rains, which has nowhere to go, as it can’t seep down into the ground. If this process repeats itself often enough –  which is common in early spring –  it doesn’t take long for flooding to become a serious concern. 

• Rain falling on snow. If rain begins to fall while an abundance of snow is still on the ground, you’re going to have two forms of precipitation to worry about. The snow which melts, and the rain itself, can cause a torrent of water. If the ground beneath hasn’t had time to unfreeze, this cascade could make its way to people’s basements. 

• Soil saturation. Even if the ground itself is no longer frozen, the excess of water might be enough to clog it. That means it won’t be able to absorb excess meltwater. This run-off has a particular impact on things like septic tanks and drainage pipes. 

Water damage and mold at home

Beyond the immediate damage that excess levels of water will cause in your home, renters need to also think about the aftermath. Water damage itself can destroy a property and leave buildings structurally compromised – but even once this has been addressed, the risk of mold growing in the affected area is often high. 

Mold can begin to grow in a home anywhere from 24-to-48 hours after a flooding incident has taken place. If allowed to cultivate, mold can cause a number of potential side-effects which are hazardous to anyone living in a home. Some of the most common are: 

• Nasal congestion and sinus infections

• Muscle aches and joint pain 

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headaches and dizziness

• Persistent periods of illness 

• Sudden mood changes 

The best approach to take to reduce the risk of mold forming after a flood is to dry any surfaces as quickly as possible. This lowers the chances of molds having the damp conditions they need to grow in. If you notice a musty smell, or can even see any mold beginning to grow, make sure to let your landlord know. They should be able to send a professional to remediate the area. 

How much might a flooded basement cost you? 

Naturally, damage to both the property you live in and your possessions can be extensive. For renters who might be expected to foot the bill, this can leave you in a difficult financial situation. Our internal data showed some of the following recent claims were made to deal with flooded apartments: 

• Flood damage after a storm (ON) – $3,043.95

• A sump pump that failed and flooded a basement (BC) – $8,125

• Water damage caused by a burst pipe which flooded an apartment (ON) – $9,600

• Damage after a flood (AB) – $5,400

• A damaged roof which led to a flood (AB) – $3,900

• A flooded unit after a sink was backed up (ON) – $974.40

These renters were able to make these claims because they had a tenant insurance policy which included coverage for water damage from flooding and sewer backup. Without it, they may have had to pay out-of-pocket for the damage done by flooding in their basements and other areas of their homes. This isn’t something which comes as standard, so be sure to check what is or isn’t included, as well as what you might need to add to your policy. 

How to prevent your basement from flooding in spring

With all that in mind, tenants will want to do whatever they can to prevent flooding before it ever becomes a reality. While this isn’t always possible, there are steps you can take to make the chances of it happening far less likely. If you’re worried about the risk of flooding, ask your landlord if any of the following fixes are possible: 

• Sealing cracks in the foundation. Check your foundation wall to see if there are any cracks which might need to be patched up. If these are allowed to remain open, water can easily seep in through them. Make sure to also check areas where pipes and cables come into the home. 

• Fixing any exterior drainage issues. Both tenants and landlords alike can help to keep drains cleared. But it’s the responsibility of the latter to make improvements to the wider drainage system. That might mean adding a french drain to the yard, or having soil that slopes away from the home at a gradient of 5cm per metre for the first few metres. 

• Maintaining any sump pump. You can test a sump pump regularly by pouring water into it and seeing if it’s kicking it out in the way that it should. You can also remove anything which might potentially clog the pump and pit to make sure it keeps working at optimum levels. 

There’s also smaller and less invasive measures you can take yourself to help prevent a flood, such as: 

• Clearing all gutters and drains of debris 

• Safely and carefully clear debris from roadside catchment basements

• Add porous plants around the outside of the home to help absorb water

• Preventing clogs from forming by flushing only toilet-safe materials 

• Keeping drains clear by not pouring fat or grease down them 

Spring allergies in the home caused by dust and pollen 

Spring isn’t only infamous for water damage. Allergies from hayfever, caused by dust and pollen in the home, can also play havoc with your sinuses. Here are some of the most common causes, as well as what you can do to reduce their impact. 

Causes of allergies at home 

A lot of us suffer from allergies. These are caused by a variety of factors within a home, and tend to be heightened in spring when pollen from local flora makes its way inside. But is this far from the only offender when it comes to at-home allergy triggers: 

• Pet dander

• Dust mites (trapped in or on any soft materials) 

• Damp areas

• Some indoor plants

• Some air fragrance dispensers 

How to control allergies at home in springtime

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to control indoor allergens. While the outside while is a little trickier to manage, try some of these if you want to reduce the impact of allergies when you’re in the comfort of your own home: 

• Clean. Spring cleaning exists for a reason. It’s a time when allergens which cling to surfaces need to be more regularly removed. Vacuum once or twice a week, and try to keep things like your bedding as clean as possible. Also be sure to wipe down surfaces as regularly as you can. 

• Manage pets. If you happen to have a bad reaction to pet dander, try to keep them out of your bedroom. While this won’t prevent the problem in other areas of the home, it will at least ensure your sleeping area is relatively free of allergens. Also think about removing any carpets from your home if you’re allowed, as this is an area where dander can accumulate easily. 

• Keep windows shut. Leaving windows open is a guaranteed way to invite pollen in from outside. Try to keep these shut, and rely instead on air conditioning in warmer weather. Also be sure to check and change filters often to avoid a build-up of dust and other airborne debris. 

Are you feeling more prepared for spring? Keep these handy tips and potential hazards in mind to give yourself the best chance possible of mitigating their impact. If you’re worried about having to pay out-of-pocket for any damage caused by attic rain, basement flooding, or any other kind of spring weather event, make sure to consider tenant insurance provided by APOLLO.