How to protect your basement from flooding?

When it rains, it pours, and basements can flood. Heavy rainfall in 2000, 2005, and 2013 flooded the GTA. With climate change, extreme rainfall will occur often. Homeowners have alarms and insurance for fire, but few have any protection against flooding. How can homeowners prepare themselves?

Disconnect the downspout from the sewer system. It is now mandatory to disconnect downspouts attached to the storm or sanitary sewer system because water from rooftops flows directly into the sewers, causing the system to reach its capacity and, as a result, water and raw sewage back up into homes. An overtaxed sewer will affect all the houses in the area, not only those with downspouts connected directly to the sewer. Another major problem is that rainwater from the roof is polluted with roof shingle granules which contribute to sludge buildup, reducing the sewer’s capacity and contaminating our water source. The soil acts as a natural filter if the downspouts discharge onto a lawn or garden.

Install and maintain a good gutter system. Homes without gutters or those with rotten or clogged eavestroughs will cause the rainwater to stay around the foundation, eventually damaging the foundation and entering the basement. To avoid leaves from clogging the eavestroughs, install leaf guards which can fit over the existing channels and allow rainwater to filter through. Add extension pieces on any downspouts at least five feet from the foundation and into green space. Plant shrubs and other flora native to your area around the home because these will help to prevent the soil from eroding, and the roots act as a natural vacuum for water.

Installing a sump pump is worth the trouble. Sump pumps are installed in a hole below the basement floor and have a float that raises when the water level increases, activating a pump that pumps water out before it reaches the basement floor. When installing a sump pump, homeowners should obtain a building permit and hire a licensed contractor. Install a battery-operated backup power supply in case there is a power failure. Test the sump pump often by filling the hole with water. For homes with existing sump pumps, connecting the sump to the sewer system to allow excess water to flow into the sewer drain is illegal.

Check for any cracks in your home foundation wall. Small cracks in the foundation wall will store water which will freeze in the winter and expand the gap. Use a water sealant to seal the cracks. Replace old weather stripping and re-caulk around windows and doors. Poor lot grading can result in basement floods. Add more soil around the foundation to create a gradient sloping away from the foundation. Roots from trees and shrubs close to the foundation can crack basement walls. Avoid planting trees close to the foundation. Small ornamental plants can add beauty and prevent erosion. If the home has a window well, add a transparent cover and keep it debris-free.

Refrain from storing important papers or expensive items in the basement. Imagine a sewer backup during a rain storm, and your basement has a brew of raw sewage. Then, most of your items in the basement would get damaged. Many homeowners store important papers in cardboard boxes on the basement floor. Put important things in water sealed containers on top of a table or, better yet, keep them on the upper level.

Install a backwater valve. A backwater valve closes the sewer line during a flood. A building permit is needed. A licensed plumber can do the job and, once completed, must pass city inspection. When the backup valve is closed, you should not use plumbing fixtures such as showers, sinks, toilets, dishwashers, or washing machines because water cannot drain and will go back into the basement.

Install water detectors. Water detectors are battery-operated, and you can place them on the basement floor in various locations, such as near windows, sinks, furnace rooms, and washrooms. If any water is detected, the alarm will go off like a smoke detector.

Check for Subsidy/Grant programs. The Federal Government has various grants and subsidies to protect your home from flooding. In addition, Ontario and different cities have their subsidy program. Check with your local City Hall to see how you can access these grants and subsidies.

A wet basement, especially with sewage, will cause a mold infestation. In most cases, a homeowner must gut the entire basement and leave it to dry out. This venture is expensive, and I suggest checking with your insurance company to see if you have flood protection.