Yes, for certain boards. Mississauga's Flood Resilience Rebate lists cement board, non-paper gypsum board, blue board and rubber baseboard, and pays 50% of eligible costs up to $3,000 if your home flooded on or after July 8, 2013.
After a basement flood, the damage is usually worst at the bottom of the walls: the drywall wicks water upward, the baseboard swells, and the lowest stretch of wall has to come out. Putting back the same paper-faced drywall and wood baseboard is the cheapest-looking fix, but it is not the one the City helps pay for. This guide covers the patch-and-replace job only, not a full basement renovation.
What the City's list actually names
The rebate rules point to a Flood Resilient Materials list prepared by Credit Valley Conservation. For walls, it names these materials:
- Cement board, which is not waterproof but is water resistant and can handle a short flood without replacement.
- Non-paper gypsum board, which leaves out the paper facing so mould has less to grow on.
- Blue board, the mould- and water-resistant drywall often used in bathrooms.
- Rubber baseboard, a waterproof alternative to wood and MDF.
The same list also names removable timber panelling, aluminum, steel and PVC wall panels, water-proof paint and closed-cell insulation. Ordinary paper-faced drywall and wood or MDF baseboard are not on it, so swapping them back in is a repair you would pay for yourself.
Install details the guidance asks for
Credit Valley Conservation's notes say cement board and non-paper gypsum should be installed with one face exposed so the wall can still evaporate. Water-proof paint suits concrete walls, but the guidance warns against sealing wood, because that stops it drying. If insulation behind the board has to be replaced, closed-cell types are the ones on the list; fibrous and open-cell insulation soak up water and are slow to recover.
Whatever you choose, the wall has to be dry before it is closed up. That is general building practice rather than a City rule, so ask whoever is doing the repair how they will check it.
Who qualifies and what the rebate pays
You must be an individual, not a company, and the registered owner of a detached house, semi-detached house, duplex or townhouse in Mississauga. The flood damage has to come from intense rainfall on or after July 8, 2013, and you cannot owe the City taxes, fees or have by-law violations on the property. The City pays 50% of eligible costs up to $3,000, and that covers materials, contractor labour and tax. Only one owner per address can receive it.
The rebate is not guaranteed. The City says payment depends on funding and on the application period, and it reserves the right to inspect the home before approving.
The paperwork to gather before the first board comes off
- A copy of your City tax bill showing your name as registered owner.
- One proof of flooding, such as an insurance claim, correspondence with 311 or a councillor's office, cleanup invoices, or date-stamped photos.
- Receipts for materials, or an invoice for the work showing the address, the contractor's name and licence number, a cost breakdown and the amount paid in full.
- Photos of the installation.
- A condo board authorization letter, if the wall falls under the board's jurisdiction.
Take photos of the wall as it is, as it is opened up and as it is finished. Your own flood photos can double as proof of flooding, as long as the date is in the file. The City notes that cheques can take 8 to 10 weeks from the application date.
Two things to settle before you book
First, the City's page does not mention pre-approval for this rebate, but it does not rule out a problem either. Email floodrebate@mississauga.ca with the subject line "Inquiry" and ask. Second, drywall is not one of Ontario's licensed compulsory trades the way plumbing and electrical are, so ask the contractor what they will put on the invoice for a licence number, and check that the City accepts it. Our guide on how to check a contractor's licence in Ontario explains the difference.
If the cut-out exposes outlets or wiring near the floor, only a licensed electrician should move them. The rebate also covers raising outlets and appliances, so it is worth asking about that while the wall is open. If the water was sewage, or you are not sure, have it assessed before anything is rebuilt.
Quick answers
Does Mississauga's flood rebate cover new drywall at the bottom of a basement wall?
Only certain boards. The City's list names cement board, non-paper gypsum board and blue board, and it does not name ordinary paper-faced drywall.
Is rubber baseboard covered by the rebate?
Yes, rubber baseboard is on the City's list of eligible materials. Wood and MDF baseboard are not named on it.
How much does the Flood Resilience Rebate pay?
The City pays 50% of eligible costs, up to $3,000, covering materials, contractor labour and tax. You would need to spend $6,000 to reach the maximum.
Do I need the City's approval before the wall is repaired?
The City's rebate page does not mention pre-approval. Email floodrebate@mississauga.ca before you book, so you know whether starting early could cause a problem.
Who can do the repair so the labour counts?
The City says labour counts only if a valid contractor does it, and the invoice must show the contractor's name and licence number. If you want a fixed price for the wall repair, you can get one from Rhodex.
Replace the wall once, with the paperwork in hand
The cheapest wall is the one you only have to build once. Choose a board from the City's list, get the invoice details right, and keep your photos together, and the rebate can take up to half of the bill.
Related reading
- Mississauga homeowner guides and services
- Drywall repair with Rhodex
- Foundation crack injection and Mississauga's Flood Resilience Rebate
- Raising basement outlets and adding moisture alarms under the same rebate
- How to check a contractor's licence in Ontario
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