Find the right solution for where the water starts
Basement water can come through a crack, the floor-wall joint, a failed drain, a sump system, the sewer, or the ground outside. We identify the source first, then recommend the repair that actually matches it.
- Serving Southern Ontario since 1998
- Licensed, insured and WSIB covered
- Written repair recommendations and quotes
- Warranty protection on qualifying systems
What are you seeing?
Choose the closest symptom for a sensible starting point. This is guidance—not a substitute for confirming the source on site.
Select one symptom
We’ll show the most relevant service and explain why.
Basement leak assessment
The correct service depends on where the water crosses into the home.
Urgent flooding, electrical hazards, sewage contamination, or rapidly rising water require immediate precautions. Avoid contact with contaminated water and use our emergency service page for next steps.
Waterproofing, drainage and foundation services
A waterproofing system should not be chosen by name alone. The cards below explain the job each service is meant to do and the conditions it is most useful for.
Basement & foundation water entry
For water crossing through walls, cracks, joints, the slab, or the foundation perimeter.
Basement Leak Repair
Start here when water is inside the basement but the exact entry point or required repair is not yet clear.
- Useful for one-off leaks, damp sections and active seepage
- Separates foundation water from plumbing, drain and surface-water causes
- May lead to a targeted repair or a complete drainage system
Interior Basement Waterproofing
An interior perimeter drainage system captures water at the base of the foundation and directs it to a sump system before it reaches the finished floor.
- Common for seepage at the floor-wall joint or below the slab
- Useful when exterior excavation is difficult or disruptive
- Can combine drainage membrane, weeping tile and sump equipment
Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Exterior excavation exposes the foundation so cracks, wall surfaces, membrane and footing drainage can be repaired from the outside.
- Best considered when the affected wall is accessible from outside
- Addresses water before it passes through the foundation
- May include membrane, protection board, drainage and weeping tile
Foundation Crack Repair
A defined crack may be repairable by injection or by exterior access, depending on the foundation material, movement, access and water conditions.
- For leaking cracks, rod holes and localized wall defects
- The crack should be assessed for movement before sealing
- Structural concerns may require an engineer or broader repair
Basement Underpinning
Underpinning lowers a basement floor by extending the foundation in engineered sections, creating greater ceiling height and usable space.
- For low basements, major renovations and potential secondary suites
- Requires engineering, permits and staged structural work
- Often coordinated with new drainage and waterproofing
Drainage, pumping & flood protection
For groundwater collection, surface drainage, pump failure, sewer backup and damaged drain lines.
Sump Pump Installation
A sump system collects groundwater from the foundation drainage system and discharges it safely away from the house.
- New sump pits, pump replacement and system corrections
- Battery or water-powered backup options where appropriate
- Assessment of pump sizing, check valves and discharge routing
Backwater Valve Installation
A backwater valve helps prevent overloaded municipal sewers from forcing wastewater backward through the home’s sanitary connection.
- Relevant to sewer backup risk—not groundwater seepage
- Permit and installation requirements vary by municipality
- Some homeowners may qualify for local flood-protection rebates
French Drain Installation
A properly designed French drain intercepts water in saturated ground and carries it to a suitable discharge point.
- For wet yards, low areas, walkouts and water beside foundations
- Outlet, elevation, soil and municipal rules affect the design
- May be paired with grading, downspout or window-well corrections
Sewer & Drain Repair
Recurring blockages and backups may require more than drain cleaning. Camera inspection helps locate roots, offsets, breaks, collapse or other defects.
- Drain clearing and camera inspection
- Targeted sewer or drain-line repair where required
- Diagnosis before recommending excavation or replacement
Emergency Service
Use the emergency service page when water is actively rising, a sump system has failed, a sewer is backing up, or an urgent plumbing issue is causing damage.
- Keep people and pets away from sewage-contaminated water
- Do not enter standing water near electrical hazards
- Call promptly when water is continuing to enter
Interior, exterior, or targeted repair?
These methods are not interchangeable. Access, foundation type, water path, finished surfaces and exterior conditions all affect the correct recommendation.
Collect and redirect water
Interior waterproofing manages water after it reaches the foundation, before it can spread across the basement floor.
- Often suited to floor-wall joint seepage
- Works where outside excavation is impractical
- Usually connects to a sump discharge system
Stop water at the outside wall
Exterior waterproofing exposes the foundation so defects, membranes and footing drainage can be addressed directly.
- Requires safe and workable exterior access
- Useful for chronic wall-side water entry
- May affect landscaping, decks or hard surfaces
Fix a confirmed local defect
A localized repair makes sense when a specific crack, penetration, drain failure or other isolated source has been confirmed.
- Avoids overbuilding when the problem is truly local
- Depends on accurate diagnosis of the water path
- May not solve broader drainage or pressure problems
Components that may be part of a complete solution
These are often included within a larger waterproofing or drainage scope. They are listed here so homeowners understand what may appear in a written recommendation.
- Interior or exterior weeping tile
- Drainage membrane and protection board
- Sump pits, pumps and backup systems
- Window-well drainage and covers
- Discharge-line routing and correction
- Drain camera inspection
- Grading and downspout guidance
- Concrete removal and floor restoration
What happens after you contact us
The goal is to define the source, scope and practical repair before work begins—not to force every water problem into the same system.
Describe the problem
Tell us where the water appears, when it happens and whether a crack, drain or pump is involved.
Inspect the source
We review the basement, foundation, drainage and exterior clues relevant to the problem.
Compare repair paths
When more than one method could work, we explain the access, disruption and protection differences.
Receive a written quote
Your proposed scope should identify the work, major system components and applicable warranty terms.
Useful homeowner resources
Learn what affects cost, compare symptoms, review warranty information and check whether your municipality offers flood-protection assistance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which waterproofing service I need?
Start with where the water first appears and what happened immediately before it. Water at a floor-wall joint often points toward foundation drainage or hydrostatic pressure; water around a defined crack may allow a targeted repair; sewage rising through a drain points toward a sewer issue. Similar symptoms can have different causes, so an on-site assessment is the safest way to confirm the repair.
Is interior or exterior basement waterproofing better?
Neither is automatically better. Interior systems collect and redirect water and can be practical when exterior access is limited. Exterior systems address the outside face of an accessible foundation wall. The water source, access, foundation condition, finished surfaces and disruption all matter.
Will a sump pump stop every basement leak?
No. A sump pump removes water delivered to its pit; it does not seal a foundation crack, repair a sewer line, correct poor grading or stop water from entering around an above-grade opening. It is one component of a drainage system, not a universal fix.
Does a backwater valve stop groundwater?
No. A backwater valve is designed to reduce the risk of sewage reversing through the sanitary connection. Groundwater entering through foundation walls, cracks or the floor requires a different drainage or waterproofing solution.
Do all waterproofing services include a lifetime warranty?
No blanket warranty should be assumed. Coverage depends on the installed system, products, scope and written agreement. Mechanical equipment also carries manufacturer-specific coverage. Review the warranty that applies to your proposed work before approving the quote.
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
Cost depends on the source of the water, repair length, excavation depth, access, finished surfaces, drainage components and restoration work. A small crack repair and a complete perimeter system are fundamentally different jobs. Use the waterproofing cost calculator for planning, then request a site-specific written quote.
Still not sure which service fits?
Send us the symptoms, photos and timing. We’ll help you choose the right starting point.
Basement Waterproofing & Drainage Services
Since 1998, Canada Waterproofers has handled wet basements, foundation cracks, sump pump replacements, sewer backups, and full drainage rebuilds across Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, King City, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, and Hamilton. Every service below is backed by a lifetime, fully transferable written warranty on workmanship and materials. Our crews — led by Carl McDowell and Slava Koval, with over 30 years of combined hands‑on field experience — install to Ontario Building Code Article 9.13.3.1 standards. Fully licensed, WSIB‑covered, A+ rated with the BBB, and HomeStars Best of the Best winners.
Find the Right Waterproofing Service
Answer a few questions and we'll point you to the right fix in under 60 seconds.
What We Do
Waterproofing and drainage solutions for GTA and GTHA homeowners — explained, priced, and compared. Pick the right fix for your home, then dig deeper on the service page that fits
Stop water from entering through the inside of your foundation walls and floor.
We dig out the perimeter of the basement floor, install a high‑capacity drainage membrane against the inside of the wall, lay new weeping tile, and tie everything into a sump pit. Best when exterior excavation isn't practical.
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Cost from: $3,500 – $15,000+
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Best for: finished basements, semi‑detached homes, properties with no exterior access
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Time on site: 2 – 5 days
The most permanent fix — stop water before it ever reaches your foundation.
We excavate down to the footing, clean the wall, repair cracks, apply a continuous waterproof membrane, install new weeping tile bedded in 19mm clear stone, and backfill. Done correctly, this is a generational repair — the system you install today protects the next owner of the house.
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Cost from: $2,000 – $50,000+
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Best for: chronic leaks, foundation cracks, freeze‑thaw damage, accessible exteriors
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Time on site: 3 – 10 days
Basement Leak Repair
Water in your basement? Start here.
A targeted repair when a single wall, crack, cold joint, or floor seam is the source — not a full waterproofing rebuild. We diagnose where the water is actually coming from, fix the source, and tell you honestly whether a spot repair will hold or whether you need a full interior or exterior system. No upselling.
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Cost from: $500 – $5,000 (depending on cause)
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Best for: localized leaks, single-crack failures, recent water events
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Time on site: Same day to 2 days
Foundation Crack Repair
Permanent injection repair for poured concrete foundation cracks.
Active cracks are repaired with low‑pressure polyurethane injection (flexes with foundation movement) or epoxy (when the goal is structural bonding). The repair fills the entire crack from inside to outside — not just the visible surface. Most repairs are completed in under two hours with a written warranty.
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Cost from: $400 – $1,200 per crack
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Best for: poured concrete foundations, hairline to ½″ cracks, leaking rod holes
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Time on site: 1 – 3 hours per crack
Basement Underpinning
Lower your basement floor and add real living space.
Underpinning extends your foundation deeper to give you 7‑foot, 8‑foot, or 9‑foot ceilings in what's currently a low, unusable basement. Done in alternating sections to Ontario Building Code with engineer drawings, permit, and inspection. We coordinate the entire scope — excavation, pinning, new weeping tile, waterproof membrane, and slab.
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Cost from: $400 – $700 per linear foot of wall
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Best for: older Toronto homes, finishing low basements, adding a legal second suite
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Time on site: 4 – 10 weeks (project-dependent)
Sump Pump Installation
The mechanical heart of every interior waterproofing system.
New sealed sump pit, primary pump sized to your weeping‑tile load, check valve, and battery or water‑powered backup. Same‑day replacement available for failed pumps. We install Liberty, Zoeller, and Hydromatic — pump brands chosen for parts availability and Ontario service support, not the cheapest box on the shelf.
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Cost from: $1,600 – $4,000
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Best for: new builds, failed pumps, basements without one, finished basements adding battery backup
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Time on site: Half a day to one day
French Drain Installation
Move surface and subsurface water away from the house — before it ever touches the foundation.
Perforated 4‑inch pipe in clean stone, wrapped in filter fabric, sloped to daylight, a dry well, or your storm connection. Installed at the foundation perimeter, along window wells, at walkout doors, or across wet sections of the yard. Solves problems that no amount of waterproofing membrane will fix.
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Cost from: $50 – $350 per linear foot
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Best for: wet yards, water pooling at the foundation, walkout basements, retaining-wall drainage
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Time on site: 1 – 3 days
Weeping Tile Installation
The drainage backbone every dry basement depends on.
Modern PVC weeping tile (4‑inch perforated pipe in clean 19mm stone, wrapped in filter sock) installed at the footing — interior, exterior, or both. The original clay tile in pre‑1970s Toronto and Hamilton homes is almost always collapsed, root‑clogged, or simply gone. Replacing it is the only permanent fix.
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Cost from: $100 – $250 per linear foot
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Best for: pre‑1970s homes, failed clay tile, recurring basement leaks, full waterproofing rebuilds
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Time on site: 2 – 7 days
Backwater Valve Installation
Block sewer backflow during heavy storms — and recover up to $1,250 from your city.
A normally‑open valve cut into your main sanitary line that snaps shut when the city sewer surcharges. Eligible for the City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy and similar rebates in Mississauga, Hamilton, and other GTA municipalities. We pull the plumbing permit and file the rebate paperwork on your behalf.
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Cost from: $2,000 – $4,500+
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Best for: any home on a combined sewer, low‑lying neighborhoods, post‑flood claims
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Time on site: One day
Drain Cleaning
Clear blocked drains and find out what caused the blockage.
Power augering and high‑pressure hydro‑jetting clear roots, grease, and scale from sanitary lines, storm drains, and floor drains. Every job includes an in‑line camera inspection so you see exactly what was blocking the line and whether the pipe itself needs repair. 24/7 emergency service.
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Cost from: $150+
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Best for: slow drains, sewer backups, root intrusion, pre‑purchase inspections
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Time on site: 1 – 2 hours
Drain Repair
When cleaning isn't enough — fix the pipe itself.
Spot repairs, sectional pipe lining, and full sanitary or storm sewer replacement. We locate‑and‑mark the exact failure with a camera, dig precisely where needed, and restore landscaping or hardscape after. Most jobs include coordination with the city for the portion of the line under the road allowance.
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Cost from: $1,500 – $15,000+
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Best for: collapsed clay pipe, recurring backups, failed lining, root‑damaged sewer lines
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Time on site: 1 – 3 days
Compare All Services at a Glance
Compare common waterproofing, drainage, foundation and plumbing services by typical application, cost, project time, permit requirements and warranty.
| Service | Best For | Cost From | Time on Site | Permits | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basement Waterproofing | |||||
| Interior Basement Waterproofing | Finished interiors, no exterior access | $3,500 – $15,000+ | 2 – 5 days | Usually no | Lifetime, transferable |
| Exterior Basement Waterproofing | Permanent fix, exposed wall access | $2,000 – $50,000+ | 3 – 10 days | Yes (most cities) | Lifetime, transferable |
| Basement Leak Repair | Localized leaks, single-source failures | $500 – $5,000 | Same day – 2 days | No | Lifetime on materials |
| Foundation Repair | |||||
| Foundation Crack Repair | Poured concrete cracks, leaking rod holes | $400 – $1,200 / crack | 1 – 3 hours | No | Lifetime, transferable |
| Basement Underpinning | Lowering basement floor, legal second suite | $400 – $700 / lin. ft. | 4 – 10 weeks | Yes (engineered) | Lifetime structural |
| Drainage & Pumping | |||||
| Sump Pump Installation | Pump replacement, adding battery backup | $1,600 – $4,000 | ½ – 1 day | No | Lifetime workmanship; pump 3-yr mfr |
| French Drain Installation | Yard drainage, surface water management | $50 – $350 / lin. ft. | 1 – 3 days | Sometimes | Lifetime, transferable |
| Weeping Tile Installation | Pre-1970s homes, failed clay tile | $100 – $250 / lin. ft. | 2 – 7 days | Yes (most cities) | Lifetime, transferable |
| Sewer & Drain Plumbing | |||||
| Backwater Valve Installation | Sewer backup protection, rebate eligible | $2,000 – $4,500+ | 1 day | Yes (plumbing) | Lifetime, transferable |
| Drain Cleaning | Slow drains, root removal, camera inspection | $150+ | 1 – 2 hours | No | 90-day workmanship |
| Drain Repair | Collapsed pipe, recurring backups | $1,500 – $15,000+ | 1 – 3 days | Yes (plumbing) | 5-year workmanship |
Note: Mechanical sump pumps carry the manufacturer's warranty. Waterproofing and workmanship warranty terms vary by system and scope of work. See full warranty terms for details.
Locations We Serve
Toronto | Mississauga | Oakville | Brampton | Milton | Hamilton | Burlington | St. Catharines