How Each Covered Equipment Protects Your Home
There are many ways to protect your property from flooding and water damage, and surely you want to know more about each before applying. Let’s break down how each functions.
Sump Pumps
A sump pump system (submersible or pedestal) has a special chamber (or sump pit) that collects water, and one or more pumps that remove it, thus preventing flooding. When the water rises, the pump turns on automatically and pumps the water away from your home.
Basements are naturally prone to water leaks, even with proper waterproofing, which makes sump pumps a crucial device for protecting your home from costly damage.
Backwater Valves
A backwater valve is a valve typically installed on your home’s main sewer line. It protects your home against sewage backups from the municipal system during heavy rainfall when the city lines become overwhelmed, and wastewater may flow backward towards your home.
If your home has a basement or sits less than 30 cm above street level, your risk of sewer backup is much higher, making a backwater valve essential for protecting your home.
Foundation Drain Disconnection
During heavy storms, foundation drains can push large amounts of groundwater into an already overloaded sewer system, leading to backups in your home and throughout the neighbourhood.
You can resolve the issue by disconnecting them to redirect foundation water away from the sewer system and your home.
What Happens If You Don’t Upgrade (and water has nowhere to go)
Floods and sewage backups aren’t cosmetic problems. If you skip plumbing upgrades, you leave your home exposed to risks your insurance may not cover.
- Mould and health hazards
Standing water or sewage can quickly cause mould and structural damage, threatening your family’s health and leading to costly repairs. - Voided insurance claims
Many Ontario insurers now require a backwater valve for sewer backup coverage. If you don’t have one, your claim could be denied.
- Foundation damage
Without proper drainage or a working sump pump, water builds up around your foundation. Repairs can cost $10,000–$40,000 and take weeks. - Missed rebates
Rebate programs are limited and often close early due to high demand. Wait too long, and the funding may be gone.
It’s only a matter of time before the next flood happens. But you can prepare for it before it strikes.
- In July 2024, flash floods across Toronto and southern Ontario caused over $940 million in insured damages. (source)
- Around 80% of Canadian cities, including many in Ontario, are located in areas prone to flooding. (source)
More than 1.5 million homes in Canada, many in Ontario, face a high risk of flooding. (source)
