Basement Waterproofing for Scarborough Homes
Leaquida provides basement waterproofing in Scarborough, from the Bluffs and Birch Cliff by the lake to Agincourt, Malvern and Rouge in the north-east. We are a licensed Toronto contractor with our own crew, based in Etobicoke.
Our waterproofing services in Scarborough cover the whole job: a free inspection to find the source, exterior or interior waterproofing, new weeping tile, sump pumps, backwater valves, window wells and foundation crack repair — one written quote, one crew, one written warranty.
Scarborough is part of the City of Toronto, so most homes can claim the Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy. We tell you which devices your home really needs and how much the City can pay back before you sign.
Scarborough Basement Waterproofing at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What does it cost? | Interior $50–$120 per linear foot, exterior $100–$250 per linear foot; most full projects $3,000–$35,000. Inspection and quote are free. |
| Is there a rebate? | Yes — Scarborough is part of Toronto, so the City’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy pays up to 80% of the invoice, up to $6,650 per property. |
| Do I need a permit? | A City of Toronto building permit is needed for a backwater valve, and it must be inspected before it is covered up. |
| How long does it take? | Crack repair and sump pumps usually take one visit; interior systems 2–5 days; exterior waterproofing 3–7 days. |
| Which method is right? | Exterior when water comes through the walls and the outside is reachable; interior for floor–wall joint leaks, high groundwater and tight side yards. |
Why Scarborough Basements Take on Water
Scarborough is cut by deep ravines — Highland Creek, the Rouge River and Taylor-Massey Creek — and ends at the Scarborough Bluffs on Lake Ontario. The same layered soils you can see in the Bluffs sit under many basements.
Ravines and creeks
Highland Creek, the Rouge River, Taylor-Massey Creek and their branches keep groundwater high on low streets and near the valleys.
Layered clay, silt and sand
Soils change from sandy layers to dense clay within a few metres. Water moves fast through sand and then sits against the wall where it meets clay.
Post-war housing
Much of Scarborough was built in the 1950s–70s. Many of those homes still have their original weeping tile, now clogged or broken.
Sewer backup
Older parts of the sewer network were not designed for today’s storms; the City has run basement flooding studies in Scarborough areas such as South Scarborough – Highland Creek.
Summer cloudbursts
On July 16, 2024, Toronto saw more than a month’s worth of rain in about three hours — storms like that overload sewers and cause backups.
Spring thaw
March and April snowmelt soaks the ground for weeks — the most common time for wall seepage and floor–wall joint leaks.
Real Leaquida job siteToronto Is Upgrading Scarborough’s Sewers — Your Basement Still Needs Protection
- The City of Toronto maps basement flooding risk and runs Basement Flooding Study Areas, including South Scarborough – Highland Creek (Areas 52 and 59).
- Sewer and storm upgrades are built for typical storms — record events like July 16, 2024 can still overload the system.
- A backwater valve, a sealed sump pump and working weeping tile protect the house itself when the street sewer surcharges.
- Toronto pays up to 80% of these devices through its subsidy.
We check whether your floor drain, sewer lateral and weeping tile are part of the problem before we recommend waterproofing the walls.
Sources: City of Toronto basement flooding program map and study-area pages.
What Your Basement Is Telling You
Match what you see to the likely cause. We confirm it on site before recommending anything.
| What you see | Likely cause | Usual fix | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water along the bottom of a wall after rain | Floor–wall joint leak, clogged weeping tile | Interior drainage + sump pump, or new exterior weeping tile | $50–$250 / lin. ft |
| A wet line coming down from a crack | Leaking foundation crack | Polyurethane or epoxy injection from inside | $500–$1,500 / crack |
| Water or sewage from the floor drain | Sewer backup during a storm | Backwater valve with alarm | $2,000–$4,200 |
| Water under a basement window | Window well with no drain or a blocked drain | Window well drain, gravel and liner | From $200 |
| Damp walls, white powder, musty smell | Slow seepage through the wall | Exterior membrane, or interior system for tight lots | $50–$250 / lin. ft |
| Sump pump running non-stop or failing | Undersized or worn pump, high groundwater | New pump, sealed lid, check valve, battery backup | $500–$3,900 |
Basement Waterproofing Across Scarborough Neighbourhoods
Scarborough grew from lakeside villages into large post-war suburbs and newer subdivisions in the north-east, so basements differ a lot from area to area.
| Area | Typical homes | What we often check first |
|---|---|---|
| Birch Cliff, Cliffside, Scarborough Village | 1920s–1950s homes near the Bluffs | Wall seepage, old clay tile, sewer backup — exterior membrane, backwater valve |
| Guildwood, West Hill, Highland Creek | 1950s–70s homes near the ravines | High groundwater, floor–wall joint leaks — interior drainage, sump pump |
| Wexford, Dorset Park, Ionview, Clairlea | 1950s–60s bungalows | Failed weeping tile, foundation cracks, floor drains |
| Agincourt, Tam O’Shanter, L’Amoreaux | 1950s–70s houses and back-splits | Cracks, window wells, sewer backup |
| Malvern, Morningside, Rouge | 1970s–2000s subdivisions | Sump pump reliability, battery backup, window wells |
| Kennedy Park, Golden Mile | Older semis and townhouses | Shared walls, below-grade entries, crack repair |
General guidance based on typical housing in each area — every home is different, so we confirm the cause on site.
Our Basement Waterproofing Services in Scarborough
From $100 / lin. ftExterior Basement Waterproofing
Excavation to the footing, membrane, drainage board and new weeping tile — water never reaches the wall.
Learn more →
From $50 / lin. ftInterior Basement Waterproofing
Drainage under the floor along the walls and a sealed sump pump — no digging in your yard.
Learn more →
$500 – $1,500 / crackFoundation Crack Repair
Injection that seals leaking foundation cracks from the inside, usually in one visit.
Learn more →
From $500 / unitSump Pump Installation
Sealed basin, reliable pump, discharge line and optional battery backup.
Learn more →
From $50 / lin. ftWeeping Tile & French Drains
New perforated weeping tile in clear stone to replace clogged or broken tile.
Learn more →
From $200Window Well Installation
Window wells with a proper drain so basement windows stop leaking.
Learn more →How Much Does Basement Waterproofing Cost in Scarborough?
Typical 2026 price ranges for Scarborough homes, before any rebate. Your exact price is written in your quote after a free inspection.
| Service | Price range | Typical duration* |
|---|---|---|
| Interior waterproofing | $50 – $120 per linear foot | 2 – 5 days |
| Exterior waterproofing | $100 – $250 per linear foot | 3 – 7 days |
| Full basement project | $3,000 – $35,000 | Depends on scope |
| Foundation crack repair | $500 – $1,500 per crack | Usually one visit |
| Sump pump installation | $500 – $3,900 per unit | Usually 1 day |
| Backwater valve | $2,000 – $4,200 per unit | Usually 1 day + permit |
| Inspection & written quote | Free | One visit |
*Typical for an average home; your schedule is confirmed in the quote. Costs rise with finished basements, deep foundations, decks, driveways and mature trees next to the wall.
Example: one 40-ft wall
- Interior drainage: about $2,000 – $4,800
- Exterior waterproofing: about $4,000 – $10,000
- Plus a sump pump if there is no pit yet
Simple arithmetic from the ranges above — not a quote.
Example: subsidy on two devices
- Backwater valve $3,000 → up to $1,600 back
- Sump pump $2,500 → up to $2,000 back (80%)
- Battery backup → up to $300 more
Up to 80% of the invoice, within the City’s limits — not a quote.
Toronto Basement Flooding Subsidy for Scarborough Homes
Scarborough is part of the City of Toronto, so homeowners can apply to the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program — up to 80% of the invoice, within these limits.
| Eligible work | Maximum subsidy |
|---|---|
| Home plumbing assessment | Up to $500 |
| Backwater valve (incl. alarm) | Up to $1,600 each, max. 2 ($3,200) |
| Sump pump (incl. alarm) | Up to $2,250 |
| Sump pump battery backup | Up to $300 |
| Weeping tile severance & capping | Up to $400 |
| Total per property | Up to $6,650 |
Rules worth knowing
- Amounts apply to work completed on or after November 12, 2025; apply within two years of installation.
- Single-family, duplex, triplex and fourplex homes; the registered owner applies.
- A backwater valve needs a building permit and an inspection before it is covered up.
- Downspouts must be disconnected from the City sewer (or you need an exemption).
- The contractor must hold a valid City of Toronto business licence at the time of the work.
What we prepare for your application
- Itemized, paid-in-full invoice with each device listed separately
- Battery backup itemized on its own line, as the City requires
- Building permit and inspection for the backwater valve
- Photos of the sump pump and its outside discharge pipe
- Clear advice on which devices your home actually needs
Program rules are set by the City of Toronto and can change; funding is subject to annual Council approval. Check the current details at toronto.ca.
Permits and Inspections in Scarborough
Backwater valve
Needs a City of Toronto building permit. The valve must be inspected before it is enclosed — required for both the Building Code and the subsidy.
Sump pump and weeping tile
For the subsidy the City asks for photos of the pump and its exterior discharge pipe; any change to the drain connection is plumbing work under the Building Code.
Digging next to the house
Before any exterior excavation we request free utility locates through Ontario One Call, so gas, hydro and cable lines are marked.
Crack repair and interior work
Crack injection, interior drainage and sump pump replacement usually do not need a permit, unless the plumbing connection changes.
Our Process for Scarborough Homes
Free inspection
We check inside and outside, the sump pit, floor drains, grading and downspouts, and find the real cause.
Written quote
Scope, price, schedule and warranty in writing — plus which rebates you can claim.
Rebate & permits
Where a permit is needed — for example for a backwater valve — we arrange it and book the inspection.
The work
Our own crew protects your property and completes the job.
Test & paperwork
We test the system, clean up and give you the itemized invoice for any claim.
What Goes Into a Leaquida Waterproofing Job
Exterior and drainage
- Excavation to the footing and a cleaned, repaired wall
- Waterproof membrane plus a dimpled drainage board
- New 4-inch perforated weeping tile in clear stone
- Backfill, grading away from the house and site clean-up
Inside the basement
- Sealed sump basin, check valve and high-water alarm
- Battery backup pump on request
- Backwater valve with an access cover for cleaning
- Crack injection with polyurethane or structural epoxy
Real Leaquida job siteLocal Facts That Matter for Your Basement
- Scarborough was its own city until it joined Toronto in 1998, so City of Toronto permits and subsidies apply.
- Rouge National Urban Park, along Scarborough’s eastern edge, follows the Rouge River valley to Lake Ontario.
- The Scarborough Bluffs show the area’s layered clay, silt and sand — the same soils that hold water against foundations.
- Postal codes we serve: M1B, M1C, M1E, M1G, M1H, M1J, M1K, M1L, M1M, M1N, M1P, M1R, M1S, M1T, M1V, M1W, M1X.
Buying an older home in Scarborough? Ask about past floods, the sump pump’s age, whether there is a backwater valve, and whether the weeping tile was ever replaced — and book an inspection before you close.
Real Leaquida Waterproofing Work
Photos from our own projects across Toronto and the GTA.
Scarborough Neighbourhoods We Serve
Also serving nearby
Basement Waterproofing in Scarborough: Questions & Answers
How much does basement waterproofing cost in Scarborough?
Interior waterproofing usually costs $50–$120 per linear foot and exterior waterproofing $100–$250 per linear foot. Most full projects in Scarborough fall between $3,000 and $35,000. The inspection and written quote are free.
Can Scarborough homeowners get the Toronto basement flooding subsidy?
Yes. Scarborough is part of the City of Toronto, so homeowners can apply for up to $6,650 per property for eligible work such as backwater valves, sump pumps, battery backup and weeping tile severance, at up to 80% of the invoice.
Do I need a permit for a backwater valve in Scarborough?
Yes. A City of Toronto building permit is required, and the valve must be inspected before it is covered up. We arrange the permit as part of the job.
My house backs onto a ravine. Do I need more protection?
Homes near Highland Creek, the Rouge or Taylor-Massey Creek often have higher groundwater. We usually recommend reliable drainage, a sealed sump pump with battery backup and a backwater valve where sewer backup is a risk.
Is interior or exterior waterproofing better for my Scarborough home?
Exterior waterproofing stops water before it reaches the wall and suits leaks through the walls where the outside is accessible. Interior drainage handles floor–wall joint leaks and high groundwater and avoids digging up landscaping. We recommend the right method after the inspection.
Can you waterproof a basement in winter?
Interior waterproofing, crack injection and sump pumps can be done year-round. Exterior excavation depends on ground conditions and frost, and we schedule it accordingly.
How long does a waterproofing job take in Scarborough?
Crack injection and sump pump installs usually take one visit, interior drainage 2–5 days and exterior waterproofing 3–7 days for an average home. Your schedule is written into the quote.
Does home insurance cover basement flooding?
It depends on your policy. Sewer backup and overland water are often separate coverages in Ontario, so check with your insurer. A backwater valve and sump pump can lower the risk of future claims.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes. Every project comes with a written warranty on materials and workmanship. Terms depend on the service and are written into your contract.
Book a Free Basement Inspection in Scarborough
Tell us what is happening in your basement. We will find where water gets in, explain the Toronto subsidy and give you a written quote — no pressure, no obligation.
Call now — Mon–Fri 7 AM – 4 PM(416) 992-5858Office: 58 Six Point Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 2X2
Email: info@leaquida.ca
Licence No.: P94 4418977 (licensed contractor)