Flooding can happen fast and without warning. It is often triggered by melting snow and ice or by heavy or sustained rainfall or both. Basement flooding can also be caused by home plumbing problems, sewer blockages or other back-ups.
Catch Basins
When ice and snow melts or when leaves fall at the end of summer, it is important to ensure that the run-off water around your property can easily flow into the roadside catch basins. In Mississauga, there are approximately 40,000 catch basins located throughout the City, oftentimes marked with a yellow arrow painted on the road. We ask that residents assist with keeping them clear of ice and snow in the winter and leaves and other debris during the warmer months.
Basement Flooding
To keep your basement dry, you may wish to have equipment like a sump pump and a back-up power supply (generator) to pump water out of your basement. For more tips on preparing your home for heavy rain and flooding, click here.
Special Stormwater Situations – Winter/Spring Thaws
What can residents do to be prepared for mid-winter/spring thaws and rain:
Stay informed of weather and road conditions - monitor local media including the City's website, follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook) for updates on the situation
Have a battery or crank radio available in case of power loss
Clear ice and snow away from roadside catch basins; keep all drains free of blockages
Report any blocked catch basins to 311, 905-615-4311 if calling outside of the City
Remove snow and ice at least 2 metres or 6 feet away from your foundation
Have a wet/dry vacuum or sump pump available to remove meltwater if it flows into your basement
Move valuables upstairs
Park vehicles at a higher elevation
Minimize use of taps, flush toilets and dishwashers or laundry machines
For any travel during flooding events, follow approved detour routes only. Do not walk or drive through moving water and stay away from creeks, rivers and their crossings
During a Flood
If a flood warning has been issued by the Conservation Authority, follow these simple tips to ensure safety for yourself and your family.
City of Mississauga’s Role
The City manages rain and snowmelt runoff from public and private lands through its storm drainage system. This critical system consists of a variety of engineered inlets, pipes, ponds and outlet structures as well as the City’s natural watercourses that safely convey runoff from rainfall and snowmelt events to Lake Ontario. Ongoing City investment in the stormwater system helps to reduce the risk of flooding and protect water quality in the City and in Lake Ontario. When flooding occurs, the City responds to flooding complaints outside of buildings. When extensive flood damage has occurred causing structural damage to homes, City staff are also requested to inspect buildings that have been damaged by floodwaters.
To notify the City about flooding outside your home or to report a blocked catch basin, call 311. When calling from outside City limits, please call 905-615-4311.
Region of Peel’s Role
The Region of Peel has jurisdiction over the sanitary sewer system in Mississauga within the Region of Peel. The sanitary sewer system conveys waste water from our homes and businesses to two treatment facilities on the shore of Lake Ontario. This sewage receives mechanical, chemical and biological treatment prior to discharge into the lake.
To contact the Region concerning flooding inside your home, call 905-791-7800.
Conservation Authorities and the Ministry of Natural Resources
The local Conservation Authorities (Credit Valley, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Conservation Halton) monitor stream flows and water levels in local watercourses to provide flood advisories to the public through their web sites and to local municipalities for flood response. Flood monitoring is also undertaken by the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and advisories are issued to Conservation Authorities and for smaller communities. The Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and local Conservation Authorities also work together on flood forecasting.
After a Flood
There are some important safety considerations for you and your family to deal with in returning to a flooded home. Be aware of the following additional risks that often result from basement flooding:
Electrical shock (water and electricity are a deadly combination)
Natural gas leaks
Structural damage
Carbon monoxide from portable generators, pumps and heaters
Mould
Bacteria, viruses and chemicals in floodwater
Click here for tips on what to do if your home has been flooded.
The location of your home relative to local floodplain areas can be a factor in basement flooding. When heavy rain occurs, it is critical that stormwater from your property has a clear path downhill and away from your home. When outside floodwaters threaten your home or to report a blocked catch basin, call 311 to report it to the City.
Follow these simple prevention tips:
To ensure that water flows away from your home, take a good look at the grading all the way around your home within 2 metres (6 feet) of your basement walls. If the ground does not have a distinct slope away from the walls, water may flow back towards your foundation or basement windows and cause flooding. Increase the slope away from your foundation either by adding clay soils or removing soil further away to create the slope, but ensure that the soil does not touch the bricks.
Seal any basement cracks and areas around windows, doors or other openings to the foundation.
You can help further by clearing your eavestroughs and directing all your roof downspouts away from your foundation and installing extensions to keep this water 2 metres away from both your walls and your neighbour’s property.
Ensure that roadside catch basins are always clear to capture storm events.
Remove snow and ice buildup around your foundation in winter to keep a clear path for meltwater to drain away from your foundation.
If wet basement conditions continue, consider having your foundation drains assessed.
Leakage or blockage of any pipes or fixtures in your home can result in water damage to the structure and pooling of water in lower parts of your home.
Follow these simple prevention tips:
Good plumbing practices and maintenance and the prompt repair of all leaks can reduce the risk of flooding from this source.
Maintain your sump pump in good repair at all times and consider that during a power failure you’ll need back-up power to keep your sump pump running.
Keep contact information for a qualified, licensed plumber in a convenient location in case of plumbing problems.
Keep oils and greases and other trash and debris out of drains and toilets.
When you are away from home for extended periods, shut off your water at the main shut-off valve to reduce the risk of water damage.
Where water finds cracks in the basement foundation or weak points like doors, windows and service connections such as around your basement floor drain, this water can force its way into your basement. High water tables due:
Recent rainfall and saturated soils along
Excess flow in your foundation drains
Blocked foundation drains can cause basement flooding as well.
Follow these simple prevention tips:
Correct soil grading around your basement walls to ensure that there is adequate slope away from your foundation
Disconnect your roof downspouts to reduce the amount of water entering the foundation drains in the soils next to your basement walls.
Ensure that your foundation drain system is working properly
Seal all cracks in the foundation and around window wells.
Ensure that window wells are covered with plastic covers to shed rain and that the metal well is elevated above surrounding soils to direct water away from the window.
Have your foundation drains checked and maintained if required.
Consider adding a basement sump and sump pump with back-up power supply
If sewage is backing up from your basement floor drain, there may be a blockage or surcharge under your home, in the line connecting your home to the sanitary system underneath the roadway or the street sanitary pipe itself may be full. If sewage or water is entering the basement of your home, call the Region of Peel at 905-791-7800.
For claims involving the Region of Peel, for example, damage resulting from a sanitary sewer, please contact the Region of Peel Risk Management Department at (905) 791-7800.
All surfaces impacted by floodwater will grow mould. Untreated mould growth in a home is a serious health hazard to your family. All surfaces should be cleaned with detergent and disinfected and rinsed before drying. To minimize the potential for mould growth, the best results will be achieved if water is removed and clean-up and disinfection is undertaken within 48 hours. Always wear an N-95 mask if mould is present in the work area.
Maintain adequate ventilation during cleaning and drying phases of the restoration. High-volume fans or other ventilation equipment can be obtained or rented to speed drying. For more information on mould control visit the Centre for Disease Control.
*Your insurance policy may require that your home be professionally cleaned to be covered. Contact your insurance company for details.
