Remove Debris, Inside and Out

Remove debris from your nearest storm drain or ditch and culvert and clean out eaves troughs. Remove obstructions to the basement floor drain and ensure they aren't blocked. 

An eavestrough blocked with leaves

Outdoors 

Regularly check your eavestroughs, window wells and well covers, downspouts, floor drains, storm drains, and storm ditches/culverts. Clearing debris like leaves, twigs, branches, or garbage ensures that water can flow where it needs to go and keeps it from building up near your home.

It important to also clean debris throughout the winter. Come spring and snowmelt, unmelted ice blockages can cause water to back up in drains and flood. To prevent this, check for ice build-up in your eavestroughs, downspouts, and storm drains.

Other ways you can support debris removal and storm drain maintenance in your community include: 

  • Participate in the  Yellow Fish Road  program.

  • Lead by example! Check on storm drains in your community to support a local culture of mutual assistance. After all, one blocked storm drain could affect you and your neighbours. By keeping an eye on your community’s storm drains together, your community adds an extra layer of protection against flooding.

Indoors 

Debris doesn't just accumulate outside your home; it builds up inside too!

Know where the floor drain in your basement is and keep it clear of physical barriers to water. You should also check to make sure that standing water is visible in the drain trap; if there isn't, add a little bit to keep the standing water trap full.

Contact a licensed plumber if you ever suspect a blockage, find a strange smell coming from your drain, or can't see water in your drain trap after filling it up.