Basement Flood Protection in Ottawa
Sewer backups, groundwater and power cuts flood basements in different ways. We check which risks your home has, install only what protects it, and help you claim the City's rebates.
- 4.8 from 1,094 Google reviews
- Red Seal plumbers
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- 15 years in Ottawa homes
- Written price before work starts
Three ways basements flood, and what stops each one
| What happens | What you see | What stops it |
|---|---|---|
| City sewer backs up in heavy rain or snowmelt | Sewage comes up through the floor drain | A backwater valve on your building drain |
| Groundwater rises around the foundation | Water through walls, cracks or the floor | Weeping tile to a sump pit and sump pump |
| Power goes out in a storm | The sump stops and the pit overflows | A battery backup sump pump and an alarm |
Many Ottawa homes need one of these, and some need two. Our basement check tells you which, so you only pay for what protects your home.
City of Ottawa rebates
City of Ottawa Residential Protective Plumbing Program. The City pays the lesser of the maximum or the actual cost. Homes built before January 1, 2004 qualify for storm-side work and before January 1, 2012 for sanitary-side work. Replacing a device you already have doesn't qualify. Apply within one year of the permit. Source: ottawa.ca.
The permit has to come before the work. Installing first and applying after is the most common way homeowners lose the rebate. We pull the permit, install to City standards, book the inspection, and give you the paperwork to apply.
Backwater valve installation
Keeps City sewer water from coming back up into your basement.
- Rebate up to $1,000 for eligible homes
- Permit, inspection and concrete included
- Access cover for easy checks
Sump pump & battery backup
Keeps groundwater moving out, even when the power goes out.
- Battery backup vs generator, explained honestly
- Rebate up to $1,500, or $3,000 with a new pit
- Alarms and phone alerts
Basement Backup Checklist
Seven questions to ask about your basement before the next storm.
- Free, no email needed to read it
- Compare backup options
- Know what to check yourself
The next big rain is coming. Is your basement ready?
Book a basement check. We look at your main drain, floor drain and sump, then tell you what your home needs, and what it doesn't.
What customers say
“Michael from The Irish Plumber was excellent! He was here because my basement flooded on July 1, 2026. His professionalism and his honesty was outstanding!”
“Michael was very helpful and professional. Install of a laundry connection and basement backflow valve. Adapted to a change in plan very quickly when we decided to put the laundry in a different spot. He still managed to finished ahead of schedule and cleaned up thoroughly afterwards.”
“I have had The Irish plumber come to my century old house a number of times to do both simple repairs to pipes to more complex work like the complete replacement of my basement floor drain and installation of a sump pump.”
Questions Ottawa homeowners ask us
What's the difference between a backwater valve and a sump pump?
Which City of Ottawa rebates can I get?
Is my home eligible for the rebate?
Does home insurance require a backwater valve?
Keep sewage and water out of your basement for good
A basement check, the right protection for your home, and the City rebate claimed properly.