Basement Flooding in Pickering: Causes, Prevention and What to Do

In Pickering and across Durham Region, the riskiest stretch is usually late winter into spring. Snow that piled up all winter melts quickly, the ground underneath may still be partly frozen so water can't soak in, and spring rain lands on top of it all. Water that can't drain away collects against foundations.

Summer thunderstorms are the other big risk. A short, intense downpour can drop more water than storm sewers are built to carry at once, which is when sewer backups tend to happen.

Homes close to the lake or in low-lying spots can see higher groundwater, and older homes may have foundation drainage that has silted up over the decades. Newer subdivisions usually have sump pumps, but those pumps have to be maintained to do their job.

Much of the water that ends up in basements could have been sent somewhere else. These checks cost little or nothing:

• Clean your eavestroughs in spring and fall so water doesn't spill over right beside the foundation.
• Make sure downspouts discharge well away from the house, onto a splash pad or lawn that slopes away, and not onto a neighbour's property or a walkway that will ice up.
• Check the grading. Soil should slope away from the foundation. Over time, gardens settle and create low spots that hold water against the wall.
• Keep window wells clear of leaves, and consider covers for wells that collect a lot of water.
• Look for cracks in the foundation and get them assessed by a waterproofing professional if water has come through before.

Some municipalities have rules about where downspouts can drain and whether they can connect to the sewer. Check with the City of Pickering or the Region of Durham before changing yours.

Inside the house, two pieces of equipment do most of the heavy lifting. A sump pump collects groundwater from around the foundation in a pit and pumps it outside before it can reach the floor. A backwater valve stops sewage from flowing backward into your home when the sewer is overloaded.

If your home has a sump pump, test it before spring by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. It should start, empty the pit and switch off. Consider a battery backup, since storms that flood basements often cause power outages too. Our sump pump installation and repair service can test, repair or replace yours, and our post on signs your sump pump is about to fail explains what to watch for.

If you've ever had dirty water come up through a floor drain, or your basement is finished, a backwater valve is worth a serious look. We cover how they work in our backwater valve guide.

Some municipalities offer subsidies or rebates for flood protection like backwater valves and sump pumps, and the rules and amounts change over time. Check with the City of Pickering or the Region of Durham for what's available before you book the work.

Safety comes first. Water and electricity don't mix, and sewage carries bacteria.

1. Don't walk into standing water if it may be in contact with outlets, extension cords, the electrical panel or appliances. If you can't safely reach the panel, call your electric utility.
2. If the water is coming from a pipe, shut off the main water valve.
3. If it's sewage coming up a drain, stop using water anywhere in the house. Every flush or load of laundry adds to the backup.
4. Move valuables, documents and electronics upstairs if you can do it safely.
5. Call a plumber. For sewage or a burst pipe, call right away; our emergency plumbing line runs 24/7.
6. Take photos and videos before cleanup, and contact your insurance company to ask how they want you to proceed.

Once the water is out, the goal is to dry things fast. Wet drywall, insulation and carpet can grow mould within a few days. Run fans and a dehumidifier, open windows if the weather allows, and remove soaked materials that can't be dried. Anything touched by sewage should be cleaned and disinfected properly or thrown out. For large areas, a professional restoration company is usually the safest route.

Then find out why it happened. A plumber can check the floor drain and sewer line, test the sump pump, and tell you whether a backwater valve or other changes would help. Fixing the cause is what keeps you from going through this again next spring.

Is basement flooding covered by home insurance? It depends on your policy. Many standard policies treat sewer backup and overland flooding as separate coverages that have to be added. Read your policy or call your insurer before you need it, so you know where you stand. Ask specifically about sewer backup, since it's one of the most common claims after a heavy storm.

Can I clean up a flooded basement myself? For a small amount of clean water from a pipe or appliance leak, many homeowners can. Shut off the source, remove the water, and dry everything quickly. For sewage, large volumes of water, or anything that soaked drywall and insulation, a professional restoration company is the safer choice, because hidden moisture leads to mould.

How do I know if my floor drain is the problem? If water comes up through the drain rather than seeping in along the walls, and it's dirty or smells, it's almost certainly a sewer backup. That points to the drain line or the municipal sewer, not groundwater. A plumber can clear the line, run a camera to check its condition, and tell you whether a backwater valve would help.

Should I keep things off the basement floor? Yes, it's one of the cheapest forms of protection there is. Store valuables, documents and electronics on shelves or in plastic bins with lids, and keep the area around the floor drain and sump pit clear so you can reach them in a hurry.