Scarborough covers the whole eastern end of Toronto, from the Scarborough Bluffs on Lake Ontario to Rouge National Urban Park on the city’s edge. Most of it was built after the Second World War: streets of bungalows and back-splits from the 1950s and 1960s, townhouse complexes from the 1970s, and newer condos around Scarborough Town Centre.
Many of those post-war houses have finished basements, and their original weeping tiles, sewer laterals and plumbing are now 60 to 70 years old. Highland Creek, the Rouge and their ravines run through the area, and homes near them see more runoff and groundwater.
What Causes Water Damage in Scarborough
Bungalow basements: finished rec rooms and basement apartments soaking up water from backups and seepage.
Aging weeping tiles and laterals: clay pipes that collapse or clog with roots.
Townhouse complexes: shared walls and common plumbing between units.
Ravine lots: runoff near Highland Creek, the Rouge and the Bluffs.
Basement Apartments
Many Scarborough homes have basement apartments. When water gets in, it affects someone’s home, not just storage space. The source is fixed, the unit dried and checked, and the work documented for both the owner and the tenant.
Water extraction and drying for Scarborough bungalows, townhouses and condos, from the Bluffs to the Rouge.
About the area
Scarborough is Toronto's eastern district, stretching from Victoria Park Avenue to the Rouge River. The Scarborough Bluffs, Rouge National Urban Park, Scarborough Town Centre and the University of Toronto Scarborough are among its landmarks.
Local expertise
Scarborough is mostly post-war bungalows and townhouses with finished basements and aging drainage, so backups and seepage are the most common problems.
Neighbourhoods served
Agincourt
Malvern
Cliffside
Wexford
Guildwood
Highland Creek
Local landmarks
Scarborough Bluffs
Rouge National Urban Park
Scarborough Town Centre
Highland Creek
University of Toronto Scarborough
Frequently asked questions
Water got into my basement apartment. Who should I call?
The owner or landlord should be told right away. The source is fixed first, then the unit is dried and checked so the tenant can move back in.
Why do older Scarborough bungalows get basement water?
Their weeping tiles and sewer laterals are 60 to 70 years old and can collapse, clog or crack, letting water in during heavy rain.
Do townhouse leaks spread between units?
They can, through shared walls and plumbing. Neighbouring units should be checked when a leak is found.
Basement flooding is Toronto's most common water damage problem. The city's older neighbourhoods have combined sewers that carry storm water and sewage…
