Whether the winter has left its mark on your property or you’re looking to clear some indoor clutter, now might be the time for some spring cleaning. Consider taking the time to inspect your home and property for leaks and water damage, ensure that your roof and property drain water away from your home, and dispose of waste and unwanted items properly. Adding these steps to your routine will help reduce the risk of water damage and keep pollution out of local waterways and the environment.
Keep your spring cleaning clean
Be mindful of what may be draining from your property to avoid stormwater pollution. Debris, soap, chemicals and other pollutants that flow into roadside catch basins eventually make their way into creeks and rivers. These pollutants also end up in Lake Ontario, which is our main source of drinking water.
- Consider washing your car at a commercial car wash and avoid washing or servicing your car (e.g. changing the oil) in your driveway. Soap and oil can flow down your driveway and into catch basins.
- Apply lawn fertilizer with care and ensure it is applied only to your lawn. Avoid spraying fertilizer or pesticide onto the road, driveway or sidewalk where it can mix with rainwater and flow into catch basins.
- Changing the water in your pool, hot tub or spa? Before emptying chlorinated, brominated or chemically treated water into the stormwater system, remember to stop adding chemicals at least seven days before draining the water.
Inspect and improve your property’s drainage
Have you noticed water pooling near your home or in your yard? Improper drainage around your home and property or damaged eavestroughs or downspouts can potentially lead to pooling water and further damage. Repairs can be essential for avoiding flooding and damage:
- Make sure your eavestroughs and downspouts are leak-free and drain at least six feet (two metres) away from your foundation, neighbour’s property and City property.
- Clear your eavestroughs, downspouts and the catch basins near your property of debris and leaves.
- Inspect your basement sump pump, if you have one, to make sure the water drains a safe distance from your home, where it can soak into your property.
- Roof shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose will need to be replaced or repaired by a qualified roofer.
- Take the time to correct any property grading, fill in any cracks or holes in your foundation and check the seals around your windows and doors.
Dispose of your household and yard waste properly
Clearing out your garage, storage locker or yard? Make sure you’re disposing of any waste or unwanted items properly:
- Take household waste, like leftover paint or chemicals, to your local Peel Community Recycling Centre. Never dispose of this waste by pouring it down a catch basin, drain or waterway.
- Consider taking items that are in good condition to a Peel Community Recycling Centre for donation.
- If you require pickup of extra garbage on your garbage collection day, make sure it is tagged with a garbage tag. These can be purchased online, by phone or in person at several Mississauga community centres.
- Avoid disposing yard waste and grass clippings into woodlands or onto the road where they can clog catch basins and prevent water from draining properly. Instead:
- Place leaves, tree trimmings, branches and other yard waste in yard waste bags for collection by the Peel Region.
- Shred the leaves and rake them over your lawn or into your garden beds to add nutrients. Grass clipping can also be left on your lawn to act as a mulch, helping the grass keep its moisture.
- Place your leaves in a backyard composter.
The City’s Spring Maintenance Season
The City is also busy with its own spring cleaning and maintenance season. This spring, crews will be busy filling potholes, repairing sidewalks and sod damaged by winter operations, clearing litter and debris, sweeping streets and getting parks and greenspaces ready.
You can help by calling 311 or submitting an online service request when you see the following:
- Potholes
- Damaged sidewalks, sod, curbs or catch basins
- Litter or dumping
- Damaged, dead or unhealthy trees
- Trees in need of pruning
For more information about Mississauga’s stormwater system, visit mississauga.ca/stormwater.
To learn more about the City’s road maintenance, visit mississauga.ca/roads.
SOURCE City of Mississauga
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