Flooding is one of the most common and damaging natural risks homeowners face. With extreme weather becoming more frequent, taking practical steps now can make a big difference later. In 2025, severe weather events in
Canada generated over $2.4 billion in insured losses, ranking among the highest years on record for weather-related claims, and flooding was a contributing factor in those totals.
Here are simple ways to help reduce flood risk around your home:
1. Check the Grade Around Your Home
Water should flow away from your foundation, not toward it. Over time, soil can settle or erode, creating low spots that collect water near your walls. Fill in these low-lying areas and shape the soil so it gently slopes away from your home’s foundation. This helps keep rainwater and melting snow from pooling where it can seep into basements or crawlspaces.
2. Keep Eavestroughs & Downspouts Flowing Freely
Clogged eavestroughs and downspouts can overflow, sending rainwater down the sides of your house and toward your foundation. In spring and fall, clean out leaves, debris, and sediment. Make sure downspouts extend several feet away from your home, either with extensions or splash blocks. Directing water farther away from your home reduces the likelihood that it will enter your basement or crawlspace.
3. Inspect Seals Around Outdoor Openings
Weather-stripping and caulking around doors, windows, vents, and other exterior openings are your home’s first line of defence against water infiltration. Look for cracks, gaps, or weathered seals and replace them when necessary. Don’t forget to check around dryer vents, basement vents, and crawlspace access points; even small cracks can allow water into vulnerable spaces.
4. Consider Additional Back-Up Protection
For homes in flood-prone areas, additional protective measures, such as backwater valves and sump pumps with battery backups, can be game-changers. These systems help prevent sewage backups and remove water that enters through drains or cracks, which is especially important during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt events.
5. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Not all water-related damage is automatically covered by a standard home insurance policy. Coverage for sewage backup or overland flooding is often optional and must be added separately. It’s worth reviewing your policy to ensure you're confident in your coverage before a loss occurs.
Taking these steps now can reduce your risk of flood damage and give you confidence that your home is prepared for whatever the weather brings.