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What to do when your basement floods

A step-by-step guide for GTA homeowners — what to shut off, what to save first, and when to call a professional. · Water damage · 2 min read

647-521-9250

A flooded basement is stressful, but what you do in the first few hours makes a big difference to how much you can save. Here is what to do, step by step — and when it is time to call a professional.

Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe

Do not walk into a flooded basement if the water is near outlets, a furnace or the electrical panel — standing water and electricity are a deadly mix. If you cannot reach the breaker from a dry spot, stay out and call your utility or an electrician. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911. Treat a sewer backup as contaminated: keep children and pets away and do not touch the water without protective gear.

Step 2: Stop the water at the source

If a pipe, water heater or appliance is leaking, close the main water shut-off valve — in most GTA homes it is in the basement, near the front wall where the water line enters. If the water came in after heavy rain, check that your sump pump is running and your downspouts point away from the house.

Step 3: Document the damage

Before you move anything, take wide photos and video of every affected area, then close-ups of damaged items and the water line on the walls. Your adjuster will ask for this, and damage is much harder to prove after cleanup. Then call your insurer to open a claim.

Step 4: Save what you can

Move valuables, documents and electronics upstairs. Lift furniture off wet floors and put foil or plastic under the legs. Pull up wet area rugs, but leave wall-to-wall carpet and drywall for the professionals. Never use household vacuums or fans that sit in water.

Step 5: Start drying within 24–48 hours

Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours. Open windows if the air outside is dry and run fans and dehumidifiers. But water soaks into drywall, insulation and subfloors, where household fans cannot reach it — a restoration crew measures that hidden moisture and dries the structure with commercial equipment.

When to call a professional

Call a restoration company if the water is more than a few centimetres deep, covers more than one room, came from a sewer backup, has soaked into walls or carpet, or has been sitting for more than a day. Hidden moisture in drywall and subfloors is the main cause of mold after a flood.

Water in your basement? Call us now.

Our crews are on call 24/7 across the GTA. We will stop the water, start drying and document everything for your insurer.

647-521-9250

FAQ

Basement flooding questions

What causes basement flooding?

Heavy rain, snowmelt, a failed sump pump, a blocked floor drain, a sewer backup or a burst pipe are the most common causes in the GTA.

Does home insurance cover basement flooding in Ontario?

It depends on the cause and your policy. Burst pipes are usually covered, while sewer backup and overland flooding often need separate coverage. Check your policy and call your insurer early.

How long does it take to dry a flooded basement?

With professional equipment, drying usually takes three to five days. Walls, floors and insulation that stay wet longer may have to be removed.

Can I stay in my home while the basement dries?

Usually yes, as long as the water has not reached the electrical panel or appliances and there is no smell of gas. Keep everyone out of the basement until the power to it is off. Drying equipment is noisy, but most families stay at home.

Should I remove wet drywall myself?

It is better not to. Wet drywall can hide mold and damaged wiring, and removing too much or too little can affect your claim. We measure moisture first and remove only what has to go.