Updated 2019: Rebates are still available, contact us for details.
The City of Toronto has an amazing program in place for Toronto homeowners who have basement flooding issues, but the program may not be around forever. This recent winter, with its extreme and costly weather, has put an extra burden on the program. So, if you have experienced basement flooding in the past year, it may be time to call up a licensed plumber to take advantage of this program while it still lasts. These flood prevention rebates may not be around for that much longer. Even if your home has not experienced basement flooding, any worn out materials could be replaced with the city footing most of the bill. This even includes backwater valve rebates of up to 80%.
Basement waterproofing can be expensive, so having the government lend a helping hand is a great opportunity. But the City of Toronto is giving more than just a hand, they’re rebating up to 80% for backwater valves, sump pumps, and even pipe severance and capping, including all related labour, materials and taxes! That means most of the costs of preventing flooding in your own home can come from someone else.
Overall, the program can offer up to $3,400 to any homeowner who wants to participate: $1,250 for your backwater valve, $1,750 for your sump pump, and up to $400 for pipe severance and capping.
There are some rules and regulations with the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, but overall the program is very easy. First, they require you use a qualified and licensed professional, which is naturally the best choice for this type of work. Permits and approved inspections are also required for any backwater valve work as well, to ensure the work meets with the city’s guidelines. The inspections make sense, however, because the initiative is connected to Toronto’s bigger city drainage plans to help everyone have less flooding problems.
The program is open to all properties registered as single-family residential, duplex, or triplex within the City of Toronto and can be applied for by filling out the form and mailing it to the city. Bear in mind, all work, permits, and inspections must be performed before you apply. While you have a full year to apply, make sure you get this work all done sooner rather than later to take advantage of the program this year.
But the guidelines also stipulate that the money is given on a “first-come, first-served basis,” so make sure you get this work done quickly. With the amount of damage done from this past extreme winter, the subsidy may be one of the first programs to get the early hatchet, and certainly one Toronto homeowners are currently using. So, make sure you get a properly licensed and approved worker, and get your basement waterproofed on the government’s dime!
