Plumbing tips
Basement Flooded? What to Do First
A flooded basement is upsetting, but the first hour matters most. These steps keep you safe, limit damage and make the insurance claim easier.
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- Written for Toronto houses and condos
- Call us if it is already leaking
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Why it matters in Toronto homes
Large parts of the old city still drain to combined or partly separated sewers, and big summer storms have flooded thousands of basements in past years. Add old clay laterals, low basements and finished living space, and water in the basement is a real risk for many owners.
Step-by-step what to do
- Stay safe. Wading into water near live outlets or appliances is the real danger, so stay on the stairs. Kill the basement circuits at the panel only if the panel is dry and reachable; otherwise phone Toronto Hydro.
- Find the source. Sewage from the floor drain means a sewer backup. Clear water seeping through walls means groundwater. Water from above means a pipe or fixture.
- Stop the inflow. Close the main shut-off for a pipe leak. For a sewer backup, stop using water in the house.
- Document it. Take photos and video before cleaning up.
- Call your insurer and a plumber, and for a city sewer issue, call 311.
Sewage is a health hazard. Wear rubber boots and gloves. Throw away anything porous the sewage soaked, and disinfect hard surfaces.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pumping out a flooded basement too fast while the ground outside is saturated, which can stress foundation walls.
- Running the washing machine or flushing toilets during a backup.
- Waiting days to start drying, which lets mould grow.
When it is time to phone us
Call us right away for a sewer backup or a burst pipe. We clear the line, camera it to find the cause and talk about prevention, such as a backwater valve or sump pump. Read sewer backup vs groundwater to understand the difference.
Common questions
Will the city pay for my flooded basement?
Claims against the city are handled through its own process. Check with 311 and your insurer.
Will home insurance pay for a sewer backup?
Usually only when the policy carries a sewer backup rider. Read yours, or ask your broker.
Water where it shouldn’t be? Call now.
A plumber answers day and night, and the call-out rate is quoted before anyone drives over.