Causes

• A leak in your home's foundation, basement walls, or basement windows or doors
• Poor lot drainage
• Failure of the weeping tile system (foundation drains)
• Overflowing eavestroughs
• Leaking/plugged downspouts
• A blocked connection between your home and the main sewer in the street
• A back-up of wastewater in the sewer system
• Failure of the sum pump used to pump weeping tile water

If Your Basement Floods

• Call the Region of Durham depot in your area
• Ajax/Pickering Depot: 905-683-1471
• Oshawa/Whitby Depot: 905-655-334
• Staff will inspect the problem, assess the flooding and attempt to determine the source.  They will advise you of the possible course of action you should take.
• Call your insurance company as soon as possible and report property damage caused by the flooding.  Take photos and keep receipts from emergency repair work.
• If the flooding is a result of a blocked drain pipe, leaking foundation walls or poor lot drainage on your property, you are responsible for reapirs and subsequent damage caused by flooding for your insurance claim.  The Region will make repairs to regional pipes.
• Frequently, sewers or drains are blocked by tree roots.  The Region will help clear the blockage if the tree is on Region property.

Cleaning Up

• Dress appropriately - wear overalls, gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots and a mask.
• Open windows to let fresh air in.
• Turn off the power at the box or ask your utility for help.
• Stay away from electrical equipment, keep extension cords out of the water and do not attempt to change any fuses if standing in water or damp ground.
• Work from the top down, removing any materials that have been deeply soaked.
• Minor debris can be put our for regular garbage pick up.
• Scrub furniture affected by flood water with soap and clean water or steam clean.  Furniture, dry wall, flooring and any other items contaminated with sewage will likely have to be discarded.
• Clean and deodorize carpets within two days.
• Disinfect walls and floors using chlorine bleach and water solution.  Make sure the area is thoroughly aired-out and dry before reoccupying it. 
• Surfaces that are dry should also be cleaned.
• Consider getting help with flooding clean-up.  Looking in the Yellow Pages under "Water Damage Restoration"

Prevention

• Check for and fix leaks in walls, floors, windows and foundations
• Clear overflowing eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris that prevent proper drainage
• Make sure your disconnected downspouts are draining properly, ideally 1.8 meters from your basement walls
• Install flood proofing devices, such as back-water valves, sump pumps, floor drains or caps and check these items routinely to ensure they are working properly
• Plan trees and other native species
• Consider soft-surface landscaping that allows storm water to soak into the ground rather than run directly into the local sewer systems
• Check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered.
• Hire a licensed plumber to conduct a detailed plumbing investigation on your home.
• Avoid pouring fats, oils and grease down household drains.
• Keep storm sewer grates clear.
• Reduce home water use during heavy rainfall.
• Consider your lot grading, any backfillinf and swales.
• Consider use of window wells and window well covers.

Flooding and Real Estate

If you have experienced a basement flood and you are planning to sell your home, it is possible that you will have to disclose the past flood to a potential buyer even if the damage has been repaired.

Every scenario is different and different disclosure requirements will apply.

To find out if you need to disclose or if a recent flood will affect the value of your home contact Lindsay at (905) 619-9500, LindsayH@sutton.com or fill in the form below.