Flooding and Home Resilience

Many homes are at risk of flooding from heavy rainfall and plumbing leaks.  Heavy rainfall events will become more common with climate change.   Home flooding can happen when water seeps into your house by the foundation and through windows that are at or below ground level.   

How can I protect my home?

• Remove debris from nearby storm drains, ditches and culverts.
• Secure your outside oil tank to the ground to prevent a spill during a flood. 
• Extend your downspouts to drain at least 2 metres away from your home.
• Remove debris from eavestroughs and downspouts every spring and fall.
• Repair gaps and cracks in your basement windows and frames if they are not above ground. 
• If you have window wells, make sure they are 10-15 cm above the ground. 
• Install window well covers if you have window wells (make sure your windows meet egress requirements). 
• Make sure the first 2 metres of your yard slopes away from your home. 
• If you have entry doors or a garage below ground level, make sure your exterior drains are in good working order and that doors, frames and seals are in good condition. 

How can I protect my belongings?

In your basement or lowest level of your home, you can: 

• Store valuables in waterproof boxes at least 30 cm (1 foot) off the floor or move them to a different level. 
• Select furniture with water resistant legs.  
• Ensure electronics are at least 30 cm (1 foot) off the floor. 
• Ensure that any hazardous materials are stored in sealed boxes at least 30 cm (1 foot) off the floor or remove them from your lowest level. 
• Secure your oil tank to the floor. 
• Remove any items that are blocking a floor drain.
• Install water alarms to provide an early warning. 
• Ensure your sump pump discharges water onto the surface of the ground at least 2 metres from your home. 
• Install a backup sump pump. 
• Test your sump pump every spring and fall. 
• Install a backup battery or generator for your sump pump.
• Install a high level water alarm in your sump pump (this will notify you if your sump pump stops working). 
• Clean out your backwater valve every spring and fall (this will help prevent the flow of sewage into your home during extreme rainfall events). 
• Install a flood alarm on your backwater valve.

Where can I find more resources?

Source for information on this page: Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation. 

Disclaimer:  This information is intended to raise flood protection awareness and serve as a starting point for discussion with qualified professionals. Completing the actions outlined above does not guarantee the prevention of flooding.