Sewer and water damage can be costly. Learn how to respond to a water or sewer backup, find out how to reduce the damage to your property and file an insurance claim.

A number of different issues can cause water and sewer backups, including:

  • A plug in a line
  • A line that requires maintenance
  • Heavy rain and flooding
  • A blockage in the main sanitary sewer

Report sewer and water backups

Contact Halton Region to report a sewer or water backup. If there is any chance of electrical circuits causing a hazard, you should also contact Milton Hydro.

Make an insurance claim

If there is serious damage because of water and sewer damage, you should contact your insurance provider immediately. We also recommend that you:

  • Make a list of all property that was damaged using our inventory sheet
  • Take photographs to document the water spread and damage to your property
  • Make attempts to reduce the amount of damage to your property

Minimizing damage

In many cases, you can minimize water damage by taking the following steps:

  • Remove items of value that are in, or near, the source of the water
  • Roll back or remove rugs close to the source of water
  • Use old rags or wet vacuums to eliminate excess water
  • Reduce dampness and dry the area using fans or dehumidifiers
  • Open windows to circulate air

If the source of the problem is a leaking water meter, you should:

  • Turn off the valve in front of the meter
  • Place rags or pails under the meter to catch the drips

Cleaning up water and sewer damage

Cleaning up is a messy and unpleasant job. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself while cleaning:

  • Wear protective clothing such as gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots and a face mask
  • Stay clear of electrical equipment
  • If possible, shut off the electrical power
  • Scrub affected furniture with antibacterial soap and water or steam clean
  • Clean and deodorize carpets or have them professionally cleaned
  • Disinfect the walls and floors using a chlorine bleach and water solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water)
  • Throw out canned goods and other food that may have been damaged by flood water

Basement flood prevention subsidy

The Halton Region Basement Flood Prevention Subsidy provides funding to residents who want to fix improper storm water connections and install a backwater valve.