Why Winnipeg's melt is different
We accumulate a full winter of snow on frozen ground, then it releases over a few warm days. The ground is still frozen, so meltwater can't soak in — it runs, pools, and finds any path into your basement. At the same time the groundwater table rises fast and the City's sewer system takes on far more volume than usual. Water gets into basements four ways during melt, and each one has a different fix.
1. Sewer backup through the floor drain. The municipal system surcharges and pushes back into the lowest opening in your house. Fix: a backwater valve.
2. Groundwater through the foundation and weeping tile. The water table rises and your sump pump becomes the only thing removing it. Fix: a tested sump pump with a battery backup.
3. Overland flooding. Meltwater pools against the foundation and enters at window wells, cracks, or the basement door. Fix: grading, gutters, downspout extensions, window well covers.
4. Frozen or blocked outdoor drainage. Sump discharge lines and downspouts freeze solid or dump right beside the foundation, so the water you just pumped out comes straight back in. Fix: discharge well away from the house, and keep it clear of ice.
The pre-melt checklist — do it in February
Test the sump pump. Bucket of water into the pit, confirm it starts, empties, and stops cleanly. Clean the pit of silt.
Check the sump discharge. Clear of ice, and dumping at least 2 metres from the foundation, downhill.
Clear snow away from the foundation — a metre and a half of clear space around the house makes a real difference.
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Call +1 (204) 399-4413 — 24/7Clear window wells of snow and ice, and cover them.
Check downspouts. Extended well away from the house, not frozen shut, not draining to a low spot beside the foundation.
Clear the roof and gutters where safe, and deal with ice dams.
Have the main sewer line cleared if you have any root history. During melt, a partly restricted line is a backup waiting to happen.
Know where your main water shut-off is, and confirm it turns.
Consider a backwater valve if you don't have one and your basement is finished.
Check your insurance now. Sewer backup and overland water are usually separate optional endorsements in Manitoba. Find out before the melt, not during it.
During the melt
Watch the weather when warm days follow heavy snow. Keep an eye on the sump pit and listen for the pump cycling more than usual. Move stored belongings off the basement floor onto shelving. If the City system is clearly stressed during a heavy event, limit water use — showers, laundry, dishwasher — until it passes.
Blocked drain right now?
Pro Drain Cleaning Limited answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across Winnipeg, Selkirk, St. Norbert and every community within 100 km. Call or WhatsApp +1 (204) 399-4413, or email prodraincleaningcentre@gmail.com. Upfront pricing before we start — always.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My basement has never flooded. Am I fine?
Never-flooded is a good sign, not a guarantee. Melt severity varies enormously year to year, and pipe condition degrades over time.
Is overland flooding covered by insurance?
Usually a separate optional endorsement in Manitoba, distinct from sewer backup coverage. Check both.
Should I book drain cleaning before the melt?
If you have any root history or previous backups, yes — and book it early, because February and March fill up fast.
Need a Drain or Sewer Specialist?
Pro Drain Cleaning Limited serves Winnipeg, Selkirk, Steinbach, and everywhere within 100 km — 24/7, with upfront pricing before we start.
Call +1 (204) 399-4413 — 24/7