Every spring, thousands of basements in Markham are at risk, and your home could be next. All it takes is one heavy rain or one quick snowmelt, and suddenly all that water and sewage flow straight into your living space. Then mould starts growing, your carpet and furniture get damaged, and suddenly, you’re staring at a repair bill that makes your insurance almost meaningless.
But there is some good news! The Markham Basement Flooding Subsidy Program can help you avoid spending thousands of dollars on unwanted repairs. And Superior Plumbing & Heating has the expertise to help you claim up to $5,000 in rebates.
Keep in mind:Applications are only accepted until July 31, 2027, and building permits must be obtained by April 30, 2027.
Once these dates pass, you’re on your own.
Your Basement Is At Risk—You Just Don’t Know It Yet
You likely assume that your basement is safe until the day it isn’t. But the reality is that flood risk doesn’t announce itself with warning sirens.
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Canada. More than 80% of Canadians live in cities, and about 80% of major Canadian cities are in flood zones, and Markham is no exception. Here are some facts:
- In 2024, Markham invested $28.5M in infrastructure to bolster flood control in West Thornhill. There’s still much to be done, and now is your chance to protect your property yourself while saving significant money.
- Not to mention that the Markham industrial area is also prone to flooding because the current open channels and culverts can’t handle heavy rain runoff during big storms.
- In 2026, the city plans to invest over $34 million into flood control, but the municipal system can only do so much.
But how do you know if your home is at risk and if you really need to apply for the Markham Private Plumbing Protection Rebate? Answer these questions honestly:
- Was your home built before 1980 in Thornhill, Unionville, or Markham Village?
- Were downspouts previously connected to the sewer?
- Did your neighbours experience basement flooding recently?
- Do you see cracks or persistent dampness around the foundation?
If you checked even one box, your home is definitely at risk.
When the City’s Sewers Fail, You Pay For Your Basement Repairs
You probably know that Markham’s older neighbourhoods weren’t designed for the weather extremes you’re seeing today. And that’s one of the reasons the Markham Private Plumbing Protection Rebate Program exists.
When heavy rainfall hits, the municipal sewer system can become overwhelmed, causing sewage to back up through your drains, foundation water to seep through walls, and your basement to flood with everything you don’t want near your family — not to mention the cost of repairs.
What are the solutions?
- Backwater Valve: Your First Line of Defence
So what’s the Markham Private Plumbing Protection Rebate Backwater Valve amount? First, let’s discuss what that device is. Think of it as a one-way security door for your pipes. During normal conditions, water flows out freely.
But what happens when the city sewers back up? The valve slams shut, keeping sewage where it belongs—in the street, not in your basement.
- Sump Pump + Weeping Tile Disconnection: Your Strongest Protection
If your foundation drains (weeping tiles) are still connected to the sanitary sewer, you’re essentially the first to pay for repairs when flooding occurs.
But when you decide to participate in the Markham Basement Flooding Subsidy Rebate Program, the Superior Plumbing & Heating expert will disconnect them and install a sump pump to create an independent drainage system that pumps groundwater away from your foundation. Even before it ever reaches your basement.
This Isn’t Just a “Rebate”—It’s Your Last Chance to Prevent a Disaster
Sure, you don’t think about your drainage until it fails.
But most homeowners don’t realize that standard home insurance doesn’t cover overland flooding or sewer backup. Our experience in the industry shows that preventing the flood is way cheaper than recovering from one.
Average basement flood damage: $50,000+
Cost to protect your home with rebates: A tiny amount of that
By the time you see water in the basement, it’s already too late. But it’s not too late to take your chance. Let’s sum up the maximum total you can receive if you decide to join the program.
| Type of equipment | Maximum rebate per equipment |
| Weeping Tile Disconnection and Sump Pump Installation | Up to $5,000 |
| Backwater Valve Installation | Up to $2,000 |
Whatever you call it, the Markham Basement Flooding Subsidy or Rebate Program, the best thing you can do is act now and don’t let the weather and circumstances decide what your repair bill looks like.
Most Homeowners Fail Before They Join The Program (Here’s Why You Won’t)
The #1 reason people miss out on this program? Too much paperwork, like this typical search query: “markham basement flooding subsidy rebate backwater valve sump pump.” It really sounds complicated.
But Superior Plumbing & Heating makes complicated processes simple. To give you an idea of what the requirements are, we’ve summarized the essential steps required by the City of Markham to sign up for the program.
The basic or pre-approval conditions:
✓ You live in Markham’s flood-prone areas
✓ Your property has no outstanding city violations or other municipal issues
✓ You have no unpaid taxes, fines, or fees
✓ The downspouts disconnected from city sewers (or exemption obtained)
Once those conditions are met, the next requirements apply:
- You should get pre-approval from the City’s Environmental Services before starting work.
- Then obtain all required building permits.
- Don’t forget to ensure the installation follows the Ontario Building Code and City standards.
- Use a licensed plumber approved to work in Markham.
- A plumber must complete a CCTV inspection of your sewer laterals
- Finally, sign a release form in favour of the City.
Another important thing: Markham requires all rebate-eligible work to be completed by licensed plumbers with valid business licenses. Why? Because improperly installed backwater valves don’t work. Undersized sump pumps fail during power outages.
But worry not, Superior Plumbing & Heating is licensed and handles the entire process for you:
✅ Free consultation: Our expert comes to your home, checks your basement, and explains exactly where water could get in.
✅ Technical review application: We fill out and submit all the city forms so you get pre-approval without the headache.
✅ Building permit coordination: We handle the paperwork and make sure the city approves the work before we start.
✅ CCTV lateral inspections: Our plumber checks your pipes with a camera to make sure everything is ready for upgrades.
✅ Professional installation: Our certified team installs sump pumps and backwater valves, as well as disconnects weeping tiles correctly, following all Ontario Building Code rules.
✅ Final inspection: We book the city inspection and make sure your system passes without issues.
✅ Rebate application support: We compile all invoices and submit your application so you get the maximum rebate possible.
Basically, all you have to do is sign up for the Markham Basement Flooding Subsidy Program or Rebate—Superior Plumbing & Heating will handle everything else.
Take Advantage Of The Program With Superior Plumbing & Heating
The worst time to discover your basement is flooding is when you’re already standing in sewage-contaminated water. Superior Plumbing & Heating will help you get the maximum Markham private plumbing protection rebate amount.
We have been in this business for years, and many homeowners chose us because:
- Certified Plumbers. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners before, and we’ll make the process stress-free for you, too.
- Rebate Support. Our team will guide you through the whole rebate process, from checking your eligibility to handling the paperwork.
- Complete Transparency. Superior Plumbing & Heating doesn’t charge any hidden fees or surprise charges.
- Guaranteed Workmanship. Our plumbers don’t install unreliable or low-quality equipment. Our systems are designed for Ontario’s extreme weather conditions.
Take advantage of the Markham Basement Flooding Protection before the next storm or snowmelt.
Call Superior Plumbing & Heating or schedule your free consultation online.
