Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Waterproofing Contractor
Picture this: there’s a small damp patch in your basement. Maybe it smells a bit musty, or you notice a
October 31, 2025
Foundation cracks might look small, but they can quickly turn into expensive headaches. That’s why smart homeowners in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, and across the Niagara Region choose to get regular inspections from professionals. Getting regular inspections from professionals is the smart way to catch problems before they get out of hand.
McDowell Drain Services has been helping Niagara homeowners with foundation repairs for years. We know what we’re doing, and we’ll give it to you straight – no runaround, just honest solutions that work.
The Niagara region throws some tough challenges at home foundations. Our clay soil shifts with the weather, and those brutal winter freeze-thaw cycles can turn tiny cracks into major problems fast. Whether you’re living in a 100-year-old home or something brand new, each type of house has its own issues.
We’ve fixed them all. Settling foundations, cracked basement walls, wobbly stone foundations in old homes, you name it. At McDowell Drain Services, we don’t just patch things up. We figure out what’s really causing the problem and fix it right, so you won’t be calling us back next year with the same issue. For extra protection, explore our exterior basement waterproofing in Niagara Falls and clogged drain services in Welland.
Your home is worth protecting. Let us help keep it that way. Share your foundation issues with us at sink2sewer@gmail.com
McDowell Drain Services has been protecting homes across the Niagara Region for years. We know exactly how clay soil, freeze-thaw cycles, and poor drainage affect foundations in St. Catharines, Welland, Thorold, and Niagara Falls. Our local expertise means we understand what your home needs.
Our Complete Foundation Services:
Interior waterproofing keeps water out of your basement by managing moisture from inside your home. We install waterproof barriers on your basement walls and floors to stop water before it causes damage.
What we do:
Exterior waterproofing stops water before it reaches your foundation walls. This is the most effective long-term solution because we create a complete moisture barrier around your entire foundation.
What we do:
When your old weeping tiles fail or get clogged, water builds up around your foundation. We replace damaged drainage systems with modern perimeter drains that effectively move water away from your home.
What we do:
Over time, drain tiles get blocked with soil, roots, or debris. Instead of replacing everything, we can often clear blockages and restore proper drainage flow.
What we do:
Clay soil in our region holds water, which is why many homes need sump pumps. We install reliable systems that automatically pump water out before it floods your basement.
What we do:
Heavy rains can cause sewers to back up into your basement through floor drains. We install backwater valves that automatically close to prevent contaminated water from entering your home.
What we do:
Before we start any work, we use high-tech cameras to see exactly what’s wrong with your drainage system. This saves you money by showing us exactly what needs repair.
What we do:
When your sewer line is damaged beyond repair, we can replace it without digging up your entire yard. This modern method is faster, cleaner, and less expensive than traditional excavation.
What we do:
Run our cost calculator to get an estimate before calling pros.
With us, you can stop worrying every time it rains and enjoy the peace of mind that your home is protected. The St. Catharines Enhanced Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program can cover up to 90% of your waterproofing costs, with a maximum rebate of $5,000. This program helps pay for approved upgrades such as sump pump installation, backwater valve installation, weeping tile disconnection, and re-routing to a sump pump.
You may qualify if your home was built before 2012, including duplexes and triplexes. This is a valuable opportunity to protect your home from flooding while reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
For more details, check our rebates page.
Foundation problems are common in St. Catharines, Welland, Thorold, and Niagara Falls because of our local conditions. The biggest problem is our clay soil. When it rains, the clay gets bigger and pushes hard against your foundation walls. When it’s dry, the clay shrinks and your house can settle. Our cold winters make things worse because water gets into small cracks and freezes, making the cracks bigger. Many older homes in our area don’t have good drainage, so water sits around the foundation too long and causes damage.
St. Catharines has thick clay soil that swells up when it rains and shrinks when it dries out. This pushes and pulls on your basement walls all the time. Many older homes downtown and near Port Dalhousie don't have good drainage systems. When winter comes, water freezes in small cracks and makes them bigger. Lots of yards slope the wrong way, sending water right to your house.
Welland sits on clay soil near lots of water, which makes drainage tricky. Many houses were built fast back in the day without proper basement waterproofing. If you live near the old canal, you probably get more water around your foundation when it rains hard or snow melts in spring.
Thorold is built on hills, so water runs downhill and can pool around houses at the bottom. The soil is still mostly clay that moves around. Older homes downtown don't have the underground drain pipes that new houses have, so basements flood more often.
Niagara Falls stays wet all year because of the mist from the Falls. Houses near the tourist area and older neighborhoods deal with lots of moisture. The clay soil moves around, and all that extra wetness makes foundation problems happen faster. Your basement walls need more protection here than in drier places.
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Several Niagara Region cities offer rebate programs to help homeowners protect their basements from flooding. Here's what's available:
At McDowell Drain Services, we handle all rebate paperwork for you at no extra cost. We’ll help you apply, submit documentation, and maximize your savings.
Checkout our rebates page or Call (905) 431-5612 to learn more about available rebates!
Nearly five decades solving foundation and drainage problems across Niagara Region.
Every property is different, so we design systems that work for your specific situation.
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Thousands of dry basements and satisfied homeowners throughout the region.
Complete coverage that stays with your home when you sell.
Professional results without overcharging or surprise costs.
Available around the clock when water problems can't wait.
Time-tested techniques using the best products for long-lasting repairs.
Problem Explained by McDowell Team:
So here’s what’s going on, Mark. You’ve got some cracks in your basement wall – not huge ones, but big enough for water to sneak through when it rains hard. The real problem is your drain tiles around the foundation are plugged up with mud and junk, so the water just sits there against your wall instead of draining away. It’s like having a clogged sink – the water’s got nowhere to go.
Solution:
We gotta fix two things here. First, we need to clean out those drains so water actually moves away from your house like it’s supposed to. Then we seal up those cracks and put some waterproof stuff on your walls so water can’t get through anymore. Pretty straightforward fix.
What We’ll Do:
After that, when it pours rain, the water will flow away from your house instead of sitting there trying to find ways into your basement. No more puddles downstairs.
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