Flood protection for your home
THE City of Toronto offers financial support and advice to owners of single-family, duplex and triplex homes looking to help protect their dwellings from basement flooding.
The City’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program offers subsidies of up to 80 per cent of the approved maximum limits for the purchase and installation of a backwater valve, sump pump or both. It also covers pipe severance and capping of the storm sewer connection. The maximum reimbursement per property is $3,200. To be eligible for any of the subsidies, homeowners must have their property’s downspouts disconnected from the sewer system where possible. Additionally, homeowners must have a Toronto-licensed plumber conduct a site assessment to determine what flood prevention work is required or possible on their property.
The City continues to work on sewer system improvements and preventive measures to help alleviate basement flooding, but there are things homeowners can do:
- Disconnect downspouts from the sewer and make sure they drain away from basement walls.
- Check for and fix leaks in walls, floors, windows, foundations and weeping tiles.
- Consider soft-surface landscaping that allows storm water to soak into the ground.
- Do not pour grease down the drain or flush objects down the toilet.
Visit toronto.ca/water
Call 416-395-6376
In the event of basement flooding, your first step is to call Toronto Water at 311. City staff will inspect the problem and try to determine the source.
If it is a City problem, the City will fix it.
If it is the homeowner’s responsibility, staff will advise on the best course of action.
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