Markham water damage, fire & mould restoration
In Markham, report basement flooding to the City's Waterworks Division at 905.477.5530. Staff investigate and advise how to proceed. Call 911 if anyone is in danger and contact your insurer. Guardian extracts the water, dries the structure and documents the loss.
Who to call in Markham
- Anyone in danger: call 911.
- Basement flooding: the City says it may come from rainwater or a sanitary sewer or drain blockage, and should be reported to the Waterworks Division at 905.477.5530 or customerservice@markham.ca. Staff will investigate and advise you how to proceed.
- Your insurer: report the damage and ask how your policy treats the cause.
Markham's Private Plumbing Protection Rebate Program
The City offers rebates to qualified property owners who install eligible flood protection measures. Maximum rebates listed by the City include:
- $1,750 for an indoor backwater valve
- $2,000 for an outdoor backwater valve
- $5,000 for disconnecting weeping tile from the sanitary lateral and installing a sump pump
New installations need City pre-approval, building permits and inspections, and the property must be in a known flood-prone area or show flood risk. The City lists April 30, 2027 as the deadline to get the building permit and July 31, 2027 to apply for the rebate. This is plumbing work, separate from restoration.
Watch for rebate scams
The City has warned that people posing as City employees have called homeowners about inspecting or installing sump pumps and backwater valves. The City says it does not contact homeowners directly for these requests. If you get such a call, contact Markham Waterworks.
Where Guardian fits
A plumber, the municipality or the region deals with the pipe or sewer itself. Guardian deals with what the water has already reached: we extract it, map moisture in floors and walls, run monitored drying, and keep photo and moisture records for your insurer. We also handle fire and smoke damage and mould remediation.
Official sources
- City of Markham: Basement Flooding and Sewer Back-up Prevention
- Insurance Bureau of Canada: Water Damage and Flood Protection
Contacts and program details are summarized from the official pages listed above as of October 2026. Programs and fees change, so confirm on the official page before you rely on them.