Basement Flooding in St. Thomas

##Why it happens here## The worst window is March to May: rapid snowmelt plus heavy spring rain on Elgin County clay soil, which drains slowly and holds water against foundations. Homes built before 1980 often have aging weeping tile systems, and sump pumps that sat idle all winter fail quietly — you find out at 2 a.m. during a thunderstorm. If your lot is low-lying, your pump is 7+ years old, or you've had water before, treat this as urgent, not optional. ##The pre-season checklist## Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit — it should kick on immediately. If it hesitates, service or replace it now, not in April. Add a battery backup pump; spring storms knock out power exactly when you need the pump most. Check that downspouts discharge at least 6 feet from the foundation. Walk the basement for new foundation cracks or white efflorescence on walls — both mean water is finding a path. And move anything irreplaceable off the basement floor before March. ##The City grant## (grants may no longer exist) St. Thomas runs a Basement Flooding Grant Program that reimburses up to 90% of the cost to install a sump pump by disconnecting foundation drains, and up to 50% for a backwater valve — up to roughly $5,750 total per homeowner, according to program materials. The critical rule: you must apply and be approved before any work starts. Work done first isn't eligible. Applications go through the City's Environmental Services (Wastewater Services) division.