We know that many people had to deal with the effects of flooding in their homes after the recent storm, and as we continue to see higher than usual rainfall, we wanted to share some information on how to protect your home from flooding.
You can follow these steps to reduce the risk of basement and overland flooding, courtesy of the City’s Water & Waste Department.
- Arrange for a licensed plumber to install a backwater valve or a sump pit drainage system (includes a sump pit, a sump pump, and a pump discharge pipe) on a sewer line in the basement of your home.
- Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly.
- Don’t drain water from your sump pump into your floor drain. Not only is it illegal, it increases the risk of basement flooding for you and your neighbours. The sewer system is designed to manage only normal flows of wastewater, not sump pump water. Keep the end of the hose well away from your property line so that water does not flow onto the street, lane, boulevard, sidewalk, or your neighbour’s property.
- Improve drainage around your house
- Clear snow away from your foundation to prevent snowmelt from seeping in through the walls.
- Don’t throw garbage, grease or hazardous waste down your drains. Garbage that gets into your sewer through your drains can clog your sewer and cause sewer backup and grease hardens as it cools and sticks to the inner lining of sewer pipes, eventually causing a blockage.
- Don’t put grass clipping, leaves, or other debris on the streets as they can plug the drains and prevent proper drainage, particularly during heavy rainfalls. Plugged drains cause water to build up on the street, increasing your risk of basement flooding.
- Prop appliances such as washers, dryers, and freezers off the floor by putting blocks of wood under them so they don’t get damaged by water. It is common for backups to be less than a few inches of water.
- Don’t store belongings in cardboard boxes on the floor in the basement. Store them on a shelf or in plastic totes.