Winnipeg’s spring melt puts a lot of water against foundations in a short time. Most of the protection is maintenance you can do in an afternoon, before the snow starts to go. This checklist follows the City of Winnipeg’s spring melt and basement flooding advice and the Province of Manitoba’s flood information, checked on October 13, 2026.
When should you start preparing?
In late winter, before the melt begins. The Province’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre publishes spring flood outlooks over the winter; in 2026 the first came in February. Use the outlook as your reminder to work through the list, clear snow as soon as a thaw is forecast, and test the sump pump at the start of spring.
| When | Task | Why |
|---|---|---|
| February–March | Read the provincial flood outlook at manitoba.ca/flooding | River and overland flood risk varies by year and by basin |
| Before the thaw | Clear snow away from the foundation and out of window wells | Snowmelt can seep in through basement walls |
| Before the thaw | Clear eavestroughs and point downspouts away from the house | Keeps roof water away from the foundation |
| Start of spring | Test the sump pump by pouring water into the pit | Confirms the pump starts and moves water out |
| Start of spring | Check and clean the backwater valve and remove anything that could block it | It has to close freely when the sewer is overloaded |
| Start of spring | Make sure the sump discharge points into your yard, away from the foundation and property line | Discharging to a floor drain or a neighbour’s property isn’t allowed |
| Before heavy rain or melt | Raise washers, dryers and freezers on blocks; move stored items onto shelves or into plastic totes | Backups are often less than a few inches deep |
| Before a long trip | Test the sump pump again | The City recommends a test before any extended absence |
Based on City of Winnipeg spring melt and basement flooding guidance, checked October 13, 2026.
How do you test a sump pump?
Pour water into the pit until the pump switches on, then watch that the water leaves through the discharge pipe and lands in your yard, away from the foundation. The City suggests doing this at the start of spring and before you leave home for a long time, and cleaning the pump at least once a year.
If it doesn’t start, call a plumber before the melt rather than during it. A sump pump also needs power to work: the City notes it won’t run during an outage, and that generators should only ever be operated outdoors.
What should you check on the backwater valve?
Check and clean it regularly, and remove anything that could stop it closing. Homes built after 1979 were required to have one, and homes built since 1990 a sump pit as well. If you’re unsure what your house has, or whether it works, the City suggests asking a licensed plumber.
Our basement flood protection guide explains how a backwater valve and sump pit work together, and which permits apply if you add either one.
How do you keep surface water away from the house?
Make sure the ground slopes away from the house, and check whether paths, patios, decks and driveways have settled toward it, since they can send water back to the walls. Keep eavestroughs clear and pointed away, and keep nearby drains free of debris. The City asks that you grade so water flows away without affecting your neighbours.
- Walk the outside of the house during the first thaw and note where water pools against the foundation.
- Check window wells: clear snow out, and make sure the well isn’t collecting runoff from a downspout.
- Look at the low spots in the basement afterwards, such as corners and the bottom of foundation cracks, for damp patches.
On Winnipeg’s clay, wet and dry cycles around the foundation also show up as cracks. See clay soil and basement cracks for which ones to watch.
What should you check after the melt?
Once the snow is gone, walk the basement and the outside of the house while the signs are still fresh. Damp patches, water marks and new cracks tell you where water got in, and spring is the time to fix them before heavy summer rain puts the sewers and the ground under pressure again.
- Inside: look at corners, the bottom of foundation walls, around the floor drain and under stairs for damp or staining.
- Outside: check that downspout extensions survived the winter, that window wells drained, and where water pooled against the house.
- Records: photograph anything you find, with the date, so you can compare next spring or show a contractor.
- Planning: if you want to finish the basement, fix what you found first; finishing over a known leak only hides it.
What if your finished basement takes on water?
Report flooding to 311 and contact your home insurance company; the City also notes you can file a claim with it for injury or property damage. Photograph everything and ask your insurer before tearing out finishes. When you rebuild, fix what let the water in first, whether that’s a missing backwater valve, a sump problem or grading.
If you’re in a river community or low-lying area, the Province’s flood information page lists current bulletins, preparedness advice and any active Disaster Financial Assistance programs.
Next step
If every spring reminds you about the basement, plan the fix before the next one. Our basement renovation projects start with a free on-site visit and a free written quote; ask us to look at drainage and moisture while we’re there. Book your visit, or get a starting range with the instant estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The City of Winnipeg recommends clearing snow away from your foundation and out of window wells, because meltwater can seep in through basement walls. Move it to ground that slopes away from the house, and keep eavestroughs and downspouts clear so roof water doesn’t end up in the same place.
No. The City says draining sump water into a floor drain is illegal and increases the flooding risk for you and your neighbours. The discharge also can’t run onto neighbouring properties, lanes, sidewalks, boulevards or streets. Point it into your own yard, well away from the foundation and the property line.
The Province of Manitoba posts its Hydrologic Forecast Centre outlooks, flood bulletins and preparedness information on its flood information page at manitoba.ca/flooding. In 2026 the first spring outlook came out in February. If you live near a river or in a low-lying area, keep checking it through the melt.
Raise washers, dryers and freezers on wood blocks, store things on shelves or in plastic totes instead of cardboard boxes on the floor, and keep anything irreplaceable upstairs during the melt. The City points out that sewer backups are often less than a few inches deep, so a little height goes a long way.
Yes. The City advises checking and cleaning your backwater valve and sump system regularly and removing anything that could block the valve. If you can’t find yours or aren’t sure it works, a licensed plumber can check it. If you finish the basement later, keep the valve reachable.
Sources
- City of Winnipeg – 5 tips for keeping your basement dry during the spring melt (verified )
- City of Winnipeg – How to prepare for potential basement flooding (verified )
- City of Winnipeg – Basement & overland flooding (verified )
- Province of Manitoba – Flood information (verified )
- Manitoba Hydrologic Forecast Centre – February 2026 flood outlook report (verified )
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