Protect your home from flooding this summer

Mississauga had multiple record-breaking summer rainstorms over the past two years. As climate change brings more frequent and intense storms, homeowners need to be ready for heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding. Water damage and other flood related issues can be costly, stressful and disruptive. Whether you had flooding in your home, or want to help prevent it, there are lots of ways to protect your property before the intense summer storms arrive. Small actions, like clearing drains, moving water away from your foundation and protecting valuables, can make a big difference before the next storm hits.

Be aware of drainage red flags

Start by looking around your property after it rains. If water is pooling, draining slowly or collecting near your foundation, your home may be more at risk during a heavy storm. Other warning signs include:

• Pooling water that lasts more than a day around the foundation of your home.
• Sunken areas of ground that are sloped down towards your basement.
• Water overflowing from eavestroughs and filling your window well.
• Roof downspouts draining right next to the foundation of your home.
• Blocked or covered swales, shallow, grass-covered channels in your yard.
• Blocked or covered storm drains on or near your property.

Direct water away from your home

An easy way to prevent flooding on your property is to make sure that water drains away from your home. This will help prevent flooding by keeping the foundation and window wells dry. There are a few ways that you can do this:

• Remove leaves, sticks and debris from your eavestroughs, so rain can flow freely from the roof to the downspout.
• Disconnect your downspout and add an extension and splash pad at least three feet away from your foundation.
• Fill any sunken areas near your foundation with clean clay soil, so that water doesn’t pool and cause flooding.
• Consider creating a rain garden on a flat portion of your lawn away from your home to help capture water and grow native plants.

Keep your basement dry

Windows and doors in the foundation of your home are vulnerable to flooding, as they are on the ground level. Keeping these areas clean, dry and sealed is key to preventing water from entering your home and causing damage. Seal up any cracks and openings around windows and doors. Consider covering your window well with a clear cover to keep water and debris out.

Maintain your drains

Homeowners are responsible for keeping the drains on their property clear to prevent flooding. Check that drains are not blocked, so water can flow into the stormwater system. This is critical as these drains, just like the storm drains on the roads, collect rainwater and melted snow and send it into the City’s stormwater system. They prevent debris and litter from entering the system, while helping limit flooding on private property.

Check your sump pump

If your home has a sump pump, check it regularly. Make sure the pump and discharge pipe are clean, clear of debris and working properly so water can move away from your home during a storm.

Protect your valuables

Many homeowners store items in their basements. Some items, like family photo albums, are difficult to replace. Store these and other important documents and items in waterproof containers. This will prevent any damage if your basement is flooded. This will also help keep your items dry, clean and mold-free.

Apply for rebates

The City of Mississauga offers rebates for residents who want to install waterproofing measures in their home.

• Basement Flooding Rebate: Apply for a rebate of up to $7,500 to help with the cost of installing basement flooding prevention measures.
• Flood Resilience Rebate: Apply for a rebate of up to $3,000 to help with the cost of installing water-resistant materials.

Protect yourself from fraud

The City doesn’t provide recommendations for which contractors you can hire to install flood prevention materials and measures. Homeowners must do their own research to ensure you are making the right decision. City staff or contractors won’t come to your door or call you to ask you to apply for the City’s rebates. If a salesperson calls or comes to your home, ask for ID and do your own vetting before you hire a contractor.

Flood prevention resources

Learn how to be aware of potential floods and make your home more resilient to future floods. Follow the City’s X social media channel for updates when there is active flooding.

• Sign up for flood alerts from Credit Valley Conservation
• Flood prevention tips
• Emergency preparedness guide
• Rain-ready home guide
• Residential guide to flood prevention
• Who owns the infrastructure around your home

For more information about the City’s stormwater infrastructure, visit mississauga.ca/stormwater.

Tags

• Climate Change
• Emergency and Preparedness
• Stormwater