If you’ve spent any time this summer hauling waterlogged couches, ruined area rugs, and warped coffee tables out of your basement, you are not alone. Edmonton’s recent severe thunderstorms haven’t just tested our patience—they’ve tested our city’s infrastructure, our home insurance policies, and our wallets.
Here at Forward Furniture, we’ve spoken to so many heartbroken customers coming in to replace their beautiful basement media rooms or guest bedrooms after the recent floods. And the most common, crushing thing we hear?
“I thought my insurance covered this.”
The “New Baseline” for YEG Weather
Canada has recently experienced some of its most expensive years on record for weather-related insured losses, and Edmonton is right in the crosshairs. Sudden, intense micro-bursts dump massive amounts of water onto our streets in minutes.
The problem is our aging infrastructure. When Edmonton’s older stormwater systems get overwhelmed by these sudden downpours, the pipes simply can’t handle the volume. The water has nowhere to go but up—through municipal drains, backing up into residential sewer lines, and straight into your finished basement.
The Insurance Reality Check
Here is the hard truth many homeowners are discovering too late: Standard home insurance does not automatically cover overland flooding or sewer backups.
When the water recedes, families aren’t just left with a mess; they are left with a massive bill.
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The Cost of Inaction: The average cost of a professional sewer backup cleanup—before you even start replacing drywall, flooring, or furniture—can easily exceed $10,000 out of pocket.
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The Cost of Protection: Adding a sewer backup or overland water endorsement to your existing policy often costs less than $300 a year.
How to Protect Your Home (and Your Investment)
You shouldn’t have to worry about losing your brand new Olivia Cabinet Bed or your favorite reclining sectional every time the sky gets dark over the Henday.
Here is what you need to do before the next storm hits:
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Call your broker today. Pull out your policy and specifically ask if you have “Sewer Backup” and “Overland Water” endorsements. If you don’t, add them.
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Look into backwater valves. A normally open backwater valve installed on your main sewer line prevents municipal sewage from flowing backward into your home. Check with your insurance provider—some actually offer mitigation coverage that will help pay for the installation of these valves.
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Check your grade. Ensure the landscaping around your foundation slopes away from your home, and that your downspouts are discharging at least a few feet away from your walls.
While the city of Edmonton is working on long-term infrastructure upgrades (like dry ponds and micro-tunneling larger pipes), those projects will take years to complete. In the meantime, protecting your home falls on you.
When you are ready to rebuild and refurnish your space, the team at Forward Furniture will be here. Until then, stay dry, Edmonton.
