Scarborough has experienced some serious flooding during the past few Summers. Heavy rainfalls and inadequate storm drains have resulted in serious flooding for many homeowners in the Scarborough Ontario area.
From March onwards memories of heavy snowfalls fade in Scarborough, only to be replaced by copious rains in the Summer. Water pools easily especially in the Rouge River and Highland Creek areas, where it filters down and may cause basement flooding. While there isn’t a lot for a single homeowner to do against an overflowing sewer drain, there are steps you can take in order to prepare and minimize the damage resulting from a flooded basement.
Get the Water Away From Your Foundation
Begin by ensuring rainwater leaves your roof in a controlled fashion. Stand outside during heavy rain and observe what happens. Is your roof managing the rainwater properly? If the water is pouring out of your eaves troughs – or behind them for that matter – your problems may include:
- Dislodged roof tiles or bad overhangs
- Badly sloping or under-sized gutters
- Insufficient downpipe capacity
- Blockages caused by tennis balls and leaves
Once you have rainwater leaving your roof in an orderly fashion, your next step is to lead it away from the house. Badly graded gardens and poor drainage can readily cause pooling water, erode foundations and filter down to basements. Lead storm water away continually by
- Ensuring a fall of around one inch in six feet
- Filling hollows where water pools during wet periods
- Laying paving around the house especially near the basement
- Setting down prefabricated open drains to lead downpipe discharge away
Some low-lying parts of Scarborough are natural flatlands that became wetlands during floods before human settlement. City sewers are currently inadequate for cloudbursts causing pooling in gardens and badly graded streets. Rainwater backing up through toilets is a relatively common occurrence. These problems all result in flooded basements.
Be Proactive
- Consider disconnecting your downspouts from city drains if your sewerage follows the same route.
- Install backflow valves so flooding cannot back up into your home when the sewers overflow
- Install an automatic sump-pump in the basement and contunually check that it is in working order
- Inspect and test everything regularly so these systems work when needed
- Remove valuables and potential hazards from the basement in case of basement flooding
Seek Professional Help
If your neighbours are less proactive you may be receiving groundwater from higher lying areas. If proper precautions have not been taken, or your foundation is prone to water leaks, water in the basement is most likely be the result. The best time to prepare for another Summer of heavy rains and flooding is to be proactive before the rains come.
In addition, the city has a program to help homeowners with flood relief. The program is called the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, and can provide monetary relief in the installation of anti-flooding measures. The subsidy program provides up to $3,200 in relief for homeowners in areas prone to flooding.
Have a questions about waterproofing your basement? We provide a range of basement waterproofing solutions in Scarborough and provide free on-site inspections and estimates for homeowners in the area.