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Basement waterproofing in Winnipeg

Spring melt and summer storms test every Winnipeg basement. Water can get in through cracks, where the wall meets the floor, through window wells, or back up through the floor drain from the sewer.

First, find out where the water comes from

• Through the walls: damp patches or drips along cracks, tie holes or the wall-floor joint.
• From the floor drain: water or sewage coming up the drain during heavy rain usually points to sewer backup rather than seepage.
• Window wells: water pooling in a well and running in around the window.
• Condensation: damp walls in summer with no obvious leak can simply be humidity.

Common fixes

• Grading and downspouts. Sloping soil away from the house and extending downspouts is the cheapest first step.
• Crack injection. Seals individual leaking cracks from inside.
• Exterior waterproofing. Excavating around the foundation, repairing the wall and applying a membrane and new weeping tile.
• Interior drainage. A drainage channel along the inside perimeter that carries water to a sump pit, often used when digging outside isn't practical.
• Sump pit and pump. Collects water from the weeping tile and pumps it out to the yard rather than into the sewer.
• Backwater valve. Stops sewer water from backing up into the basement during heavy storms.

Check for City programs

The City of Winnipeg has offered a basement flooding protection subsidy for things like backwater valves and sump pits. Programs and amounts change, so check the City's current rules before you book the work, and ask your contractor about permits.

Water in the basement? Use the form on this page, choose "Water or leaks in basement" and tell us when it happens. A local waterproofing contractor will contact you.

Common questions