Lessons from Burlington’s August 2014 Flood

Why it matters

That afternoon, creeks overtopped their banks, roads became channels and the sewer system was overwhelmed. Many homeowners found water entering not through walls but up through floor drains and basement toilets, pushed back from a surcharged sewer. Some neighbourhoods saw both overland flooding and sewer backup. Storms of that size are rare, but intense summer cloudbursts are becoming more frequent.

Step by step

1. Know your risk. Ask neighbours whether their basements flooded in 2014. Look at where your lot sits relative to creeks and low points.
2. Separate water from the sewer. Downspouts should discharge onto the lawn away from the house. Foundation drains connected to the sanitary sewer should be redirected to a sump pump.
3. Install a backwater valve. Its flap seals the moment sewer flow reverses.
4. Keep the sump pump healthy. Test it seasonally and add battery backup for power failures.
5. Raise valuables. Store important items on shelves, not on the basement floor.
6. Review insurance. Backup cover and overland cover are frequently sold as two add-ons.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a dry basement in past storms means future safety.
• Installing a backwater valve but leaving the sump pump to discharge into the sanitary line.
• Finishing a basement with carpet and drywall to the floor in a home with a history of water.
• Not taking photos before cleanup, which complicates insurance claims.

When to call a plumber

Call for a camera inspection of your lateral, a backwater valve, or advice on disconnecting foundation drains. A plumber can tell you how your home drains and which upgrades will make the biggest difference. Our backwater valve page and the Halton subsidy guide are good next reads.