Writing as an experienced hotel manager and previous owner of a hotel, I want to remind my peers out there, especially those working out of older hotels (buildings from the 20th century or older) to double check that their drains are unclogged and that their drainage systems are working properly before the winter of 2023 hits the northern hemisphere. Why do I say this? I say this because one of the buildings I used to manage, a historical hotel in Western Canada originally built in the 1940s, has succumbed to severe basement flooding after rainfall swamped the yard in mid-September.

The summer of 2023 has a been a dry one for Western Canada, with forest fires raging in British Columbia and parts of Alberta. So, with this dry summer still fresh in the backs of our minds, it can be easy to forget that dry summers are usually followed with harsh winters, and just a few years ago British Columbia was faced with harsh floods in November, 2021, and the same thing could easily happen again in 2023.

When the drains in your hotel parking lots and indeed the drainage systems under your buildings which protect against flooding get clogged by years of neglect, all it takes is one sever cloudburst and you’ll wish you got your drains inspected earlier. Trust me, a drain inspection which may result in some maintenance costs is much more affordable to get now than basement water damage restoration after the fact. And a large part of me says this because old buildings are my passion and it’s always a shame to see such beloved historical sites succumb to water damage.

If I’m getting through to you and you want to consider getting your drains inspected, the process is simple. All you have to do is look for a well-reviewed drainage company near you. For example, this Victoria drainage company has done wonders for many friends of mine around Vancouver Island. But no matter where you live in the northern hemisphere there’s bound to be a reputable company of drain experts near you.

All the best to managers and owners of old hotels out there! May the winter of 2023 be kind to us all.