Why You Should Install Flood Protection Devices in Your Basement
Being the lowest part of your house, your basement bears the brunt damage when a flood or sewer backup occurs. A flooded basement does not only damage your home’s structure and your possessions, it also has the potential to encourage mold growth. After the recent flooding, the City of Toronto has taken several initiatives to encourage property owners to take the appropriate measures to minimize basement flooding. One of these measures is a financial subsidy of up to $3,200 per property to install flood protection devices, such as a backflow valves, sump pumps and pipe severance and capping.
What is a Sewer Backflow Valve?
A sewer backflow valve is a simple and effective flood protection mechanism for the basement. Placed at the point where the sewer exits the building, the valve allows sewage to flow smoothly out of the building but prevents it from flowing backward in case of an overflow. It is a one-way gate that opens only outwards and closes tightly as soon as there is a reverse flow. Since a single back valve is adequate for the entire building, installation, repair and maintenance is easier and a lot less costly.
The available subsidy to install a backwater valve is 80% of the total invoiced amount of up to $1,250. This includes the cost of the labour, materials, permit and taxes.