Basement flooding can be devastating. Clean up and repairs are costly, and water damage can permanently destroy personal items. Every home is at risk. While the City of Toronto is working to improve its infrastructure, these improvements alone cannot completely protect your home from basement flooding. As a homeowner, you can take steps now to help protect your basement and cherished belongings.
Basements flooding can occur when rain, melted snow or groundwater seeps into the home through cracks and leaks, or when a home’s plumbing or drainage system, designed to divert water away from the home, fails or is not properly maintained.
What can you do to protect your home?
You can take steps to keep the water out. Seal any cracks or leaks in the foundation, walls, windows, and doors; and ensure basement doors and window wells are properly sealed. Maintain your property’s drainage by regularly clearing leaves and other debris from eavestroughs; and ensure the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation to facilitate proper drainage.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Maintain your plumbing and drainage systems. Ensure your plumbing and drainage systems are working properly, understand how they function and how to maintain them. Homeowners are responsible for plumbing within their property. You can hire a licensed plumber to help you identify the location and condition of key features of your household plumbing system and ensure it is in working order.Â
Be kind to your drains and pipes. Many household items should not be flushed down toilets or drains. Fats, oils, and grease, as well as products labeled as flushable or biodegradable (such as wipes), can clog and damage plumbing. Learn more about what not to flush and how to dispose of these items.
What is the City of Toronto doing?
The City offers subsidies of up to $3,400 for flood protection devices to help residential property owners of single-family, duplex, triplex or fourplexes to protect their homes — apply online. For more information, including videos, and to learn about the City’s Basement Flooding Protection Program, visit toronto.ca/basementflooding.
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