Flood Preparedness and Reducing Your Risk

You may qualify for a Household Drainage Survey if your home:

• was built between the mid 1950s to the late 1970s; and
• has a previously reported history of basement flooding due to a wastewater surcharge; and
• is located in a Region-defined priority area.

If you would like to confirm if you are located within a region-defined priority area, confirm if you are eligible, and/or request a survey, please email hhds@halton.ca   or call 311  .

Duration: Approximately 1-2 hours

Access required: 

• inside your basement
• outside areas around your property

Before your appointment, please ensure clear access to your:

• sewer cleanout (a small, capped pipe often found in your yard, basement, or garage)
• basement floor drain
• sump pump (if you have one)

The assessment will help identify key drainage features and conditions on the property, including:

• whether your home’s weeping tiles or exterior storm drains (reverse driveway drains, stairwell or patio drains) are connected to the wastewater system
• the location and condition of the wastewater lateral
• whether downspouts are connected to the wastewater system and where they discharge
• whether a backwater valve is installed and its condition
• whether a sump pump exists, and its condition and discharge location

Why it matters

A Household Drainage Survey can help you:

• detect hidden drainage issues before they become a problem
• protect your foundation and property from water damage
• understand the condition of your wastewater lateral and drainage conditions

If your home does not meet the criteria for a Household Drainage Survey, and you would like to complete subsidy eligible work, you are required to obtain a plumbing or drainage assessment from a licensed plumber.

The cost of this assessment qualifies to be submitted as part of the total eligible project costs under the subsidy program. The cost will be reimbursed through the subsidy program within the existing rebate limits. This does not represent an additional or separate reimbursement, and it is subject to the successful completion of eligible work and subsidy approval.

• It’s important to understand how your property and home drains rainwater and melted snow, and what paths the water can take.
• To help with that, you can confirm if you are located within a Region-defined priority area, confirm if you are eligible, and/or request a Household Drainage Survey by emailing accesshalton@halton.ca   or calling 311 .

• Ensure your yard slopes away from your house, not towards it. A minimum slope of 2% is required, with 5% being ideal. This means that there should be a drop of 2-5 cm in every metre.
• Ensure that eavestroughs (gutters) and downspouts are in good condition, are clear and drain properly. Ideally, downspouts should be extended 3m away from the foundation of the home, to ground that is sloped away from the home.
• Regularly clean out drains, culverts and stormwater swales around your property to prevent blockages.
• The benefits of proper lot drainage are not limited to Basement Flood Prevention. Stagnant water and soggy yards are a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of exposure to West Nile virus.

• Keep floor drains inside your home clear, and your cleanouts accessible.
• Ensure window wells are free of debris. Consider installing flood-resistant doors or panels.
• Install weather protection sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors.
• Regularly maintain your sump pump. Ensure that your sump pump system is sturdy, adequately sized and has backup power so it can continue to operate during a power outage or when flows into the sump pit are much higher than normal.
• If you have one, regularly maintain your backwater valve.