
Foundation Crack Repair: Which Cracks Need Waterproofing vs Structural Repair?
A crack in your foundation can be either a small waterproofing issue… or the first warning sign of structural movement.
Niagara Falls sees heavy rain, rapid snowmelt, and high groundwater levels that can leave basements vulnerable to flooding. A properly installed sump pump system is your first line of defense against water damage, mold growth, and costly repairs. At McDowell Drain & Waterproofing, we offer professional sump pump installation in Niagara Falls, backed by over 45+ years of local expertise, top‐quality equipment, and 24/7 emergency support. We also specialize in basement waterproofing in Niagara Falls and backwater valve installation to give your home complete protection.
Niagara Falls experiences:
A professionally installed sump pump system shields your home from:
Invest in professional sump pump installation in Niagara Falls to safeguard your investment along with our basement waterproofing services and sewer camera inspections.
A sump pump is a mechanical device installed in a basement’s lowest point (the “sump pit”) to automatically remove water that accumulates around your foundation. When groundwater or rainwater seeps into your home, the pump activates, discharging water away from your house—keeping basements dry and preventing costly damage.
When groundwater or rainwater seeps into your home, the pump activates, discharging water away from your house—keeping basements dry and preventing costly damage.
Watch for these red flags that your basement flood protection may be failing:
Pro Tip: If you notice any of these in your Niagara Falls home, it’s time for sump pump maintenance Niagara Falls or a full sump pump replacement Niagara Falls.
Want to explore more protection? Visit:
At McDowell Drain & Waterproofing, we’re Niagara’s licensed, insured, and Google Guaranteed experts with over 45+ years of local experience. Our offerings include:
We evaluate your property—be it near the Horseshoe Falls viewpoint or Lundy’s Lane corridor—to design the right system.
We choose pumps rated for Canadian winters and heavy flows.
Our licensed team installs sump pits, pumps, backups, and discharge lines with minimal disruption.
We simulate floods, test float switches, and verify battery backup performance.
We demonstrate system operation and schedule routine maintenance visits.
With more than 45 years in the industry, we bring unmatched expertise, hands-on knowledge, and proven reliability to every job.
Our team is fully licensed, insured, and Google Guaranteed, meeting the highest standards of quality, safety, and professionalism.
We’ve successfully completed over 3,500 drainage and waterproofing projects across the region—earning the trust of homeowners and businesses alike.
We install top-rated submersible pumps, battery backup sump pumps, and flood pumps from Zoeller, Liberty, and other trusted brands—built to withstand Canadian winters and heavy rainfall.
You’ll receive a clear, itemized estimate before we begin—no hidden fees, no surprises. We stand by our quotes and our workmanship.
Every installation includes robust parts and labor warranties. Plus, we’ll schedule annual sump pump maintenance Niagara Falls to keep your system performing flawlessly.
We treat your home like our own—leaving work areas cleaner than we found them, respecting your time, and ensuring you’re 100% satisfied before we leave.
A family near Chippawa Canal suffered regular basement seepage each spring. We:
When your Welland home’s health is at stake, trust the experts who care.
Eliminates standing water and dampness.
Keeps indoor air healthy in humid Niagara Falls summers.
Battery backups maintain protection when you need it most.
Insurers and buyers value homes with reliable flood defenses.
Prevents costly structural and content damage down the road.
Sewer backup at 3 AM? We’re ready to fix it.
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Posted on Mark SwanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a sewer backup and pipe failure (the pipe is exposed in the basement, so we had sewage all over our basement). I called McDowell Drain Services based on other reviews, and he had sewerline camera equipment. Stuart McDowell, the owner, was at our house the next day to do a temporary fix on the pipe. The pipe had to be replaced, including a section of pipe outside of the house. He showed me the camera view from inside the pipe that confirmed the extent of the outside repair/replacement, to about 1.5m from the face of the building. His team came on the agreed-upon day and time. The team worked very hard and did an excellent job, including cleanup, all in a day, thus limiting downtime for our use of the sewer. I recommend McDowell Drain Services based on our experience.Posted on Antal AbelTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart and his team are the best. They are the only plumbers in all of Niagara to offer trenchless drain replacement saving me thousands on digging up my front lawn. He has also installed a sump pump system in my basement as well as a full bathroom rough-in and waste pump. The work was done professionally and in a timely manner. Stuart is quick to respond to my queries and takes pride in his work. There is no question- Stuart is the first guy I call if I ever have a plumbing issue, big or small!Posted on Chris MansurTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. McDowell Drain & Waterproofing is my go-to company for any drainage issues. I wouldn’t call anyone else. This is now the second time I’ve used their services and both times the service was exceptional. Stuart is one of the nicest and most honest, knowledgeable, and reliable professionals I’ve ever dealt with. Both times that I had flooding issues, he was quick to respond, gave very reasonable quotes, finished on time, and provided services that exceeded my expectations. He also ensured I was happy with the service at the end. I’ve even had other contractors on unrelated issues tell me how good the quality of work is with the water mitigation system that he installed. 5/5 stars!Posted on Adina AslamTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart was so helpful form the start. He not only gave me an accurate quote over the phone, but also followed through and charged me the exact amount that was quoted initially while other companies would charge a service fee to even come out and look at the issue. He provided same day service. He spent several hours in fixing the kitchen drain and cleaning it out, but charged a very low amount for his labour. He sent me photos of the issue, kept calling me throughout the process to explain the steps he was taking to fix it and then cleaned up before he left. It was a really tough mess stuck in the pipes that would’ve cost me twice to get it cleaned by someone else. I appreciate the honesty and excellent customer service he provided me with throughout the process. I can’t say enough good things about him. I will for sure be calling Stuart for any of the future plumbing needs. Thankyou for resolving this issue promptly and doing it so professionallyPosted on Ryan SicilianoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a sewage issue and Stuart quickly answered the call and cleared the pipes. He then quickly located the problem. He assured me that he would soon have a crew out to resolve the issue. He told me I could call him if anything came up before workers arrived. Contacted me on which was a Sunday and said a crew would be out Monday morning which they were! Where the sewer needed to be replaced was below my porch into the basement. The crew Alek and Igor dug by hand. This was even more laborious job due to the thick clay in our area. The job was completed and work site cleaned up impeccably. I am thankful to Stuart for his immediate attention and honest assessment! Also for the great crew he provided. They were professional, respectful and cheerful through the duration of the grueling and unpleasant work they have to deal with. Thank you so much!! Update...Called Stuart as having sewer smell in basement. He came over immediately and found the issue. There was no cap on a drain from a previous installation that he hadn't done. Stuart went out to Home Depot purchased a drain cover, returned and replaced it! His immediate responses and kindness go above and beyond! I am so very grateful! Gaye SicilianoPosted on Lynn HarrisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. RESPONSIVE. KNOWLEDGEABLE. AFFORDABLE. AMAZING. I chose McDowell Drain and Waterproofing based on reviews, and I am happy to say I had the same great experience as many others! Stuart is a true pro - responded to our request right away, and came out the next day. He explained everything and showed images of the issue, and within the week his crew was working on our drain repair. His crew was amazing and went above and beyond our expectations. Highly recommended!Posted on Prabh SandeepTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend this waterproofing team in Niagara! They installed a sump pump and did exterior waterproofing using top-quality materials. Stu and his crew were knowledgeable, kind, and did an amazing job at a fair price. Thank you for saving our home!Posted on Prabhjot KaurTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best waterproofing contractors in the niagara region. They installed sump pump in my house in niagara and also did exterior waterproofing, they used high quality products and team was very compassionate and knowledgeable. They are expert at what they do, thank you stu for amazing work you did, you really saved us at a very reasonable price.Posted on Orma BleeksTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart and his crew highly efficient, explained the process, dealt with complications at no extra cost and my lawn looks better than it did before. Also the least expensive quote. A true professional who takes pride in his work.Posted on Bones380Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stuart went above and beyond for me. It was a delight to work with an honest contractor for a change. He and his team were tidy, punctual and fast! As a bonus, he gave me the best quote! Highly, highly recommend McDowell Drain & Waterproofing.

A crack in your foundation can be either a small waterproofing issue… or the first warning sign of structural movement.

A basement should feel like a calm part of the house — a place you don’t have to think about

Plumbing problems usually don’t start with a big splash. They begin in small ways — a tap that won’t stop

Sometimes your bathtub just decides it won’t drain. No warning, no reason… it just sits there with water like it

Properly functioning drains are barely noticed when they are functioning correctly. But when something goes wrong it can be disorganizing

A clogged kitchen sink is one of those annoying little moments that ruin your mood for no reason. You’re trying
Most installations are completed in one day, depending on basement layout and pit location.
We size your pump based on pump pit volume, typical rainfall, and soil permeability around your Niagara Falls home.
Pumps generally last 7–10 years; battery backups may need replacement sooner.
Yes—our team uses minimally invasive techniques and professionally patches floors.
Power outages often coincide with storms; a battery backup sump pump keeps you protected when the grid fails.