TORONTO: While the City of Toronto is working to improve its complex system of underground pipes, sewers and catch basins, these improvements alone cannot completely protect a home from basement flooding.
During heavy rain, the sewers can become overloaded. It is essential that homeowners take steps to help protect their homes from basement flooding.
There are a number of reasons why basements flood, including:
• When stormwater or groundwater seeps into the home (drainage failure) due to:
◦ A crack or leak in your home’s foundation, basement walls, or basement windows or door
◦ A poor lot of grading or drainage
◦ Failure of the weeping tile system (foundation drains)
◦ Failure of a sump pump (in some homes) used to pump weeping tile water
◦ Overflowing eavestroughs
◦ Leaking or plugged downspouts
• A sewer back-up caused by a blocked or overwhelmed sewer pipe.
◦ Blockages are typically caused by items that are incorrectly flushed or poured down the drain. Tree roots and broken or cracked sewer pipes can also cause blockages.
◦ Overwhelmed sewer pipes can happen during extreme rain. If the sewers fill beyond capacity, the water will travel backward in the sewer pipe and into the home.
◦ f your basement is flooded, it is necessary that you take appropriate action to protect your home, your health, and safety.
The City of Toronto also offers a Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy of up to $3,400 per
property for its residents.