Toronto is constantly making inprovements to its complex system of underground pipes, sewers, and catchbasins, but these improvements, and also due to weather change, wont protect a home and thus causes wet basements. Homeowners can minimize water coming into their basement just by following easy and simple steps. They are:

• Checking for and fix leaks in walls, windows, and the joints where the wall and floor meet.

 

• Checking for and cleaning plugged roof downspouts. Make sure disconnected downspouts (downspots that are not connected to the stom drain in the ground) are draining properly at least 1.8 - 2 meters (six to eight feet) from basement walls and that water also flows away from neighbouring properties. If a downspout is connected to the storm drain, it is then recommended to disconnet them because it reduses the amount of water flooding into the sewer system which can ultimately backup through the pipes and entering into the basement floors.

 

• Clean eavestroughs and doenspouts of leaves and other debris that prevent proper drainage.

 

• Plant native trees and other plants which can increase water  absorbtion.

 

• Make sure that the grading around the house is sloped away from that house.

 

• Window wells, stairways, and other entry points to the basements should be covered up.

 

• Check with insurance providers if they can determine flood coverage.