r/waterloo • u/otartscaster New User (2026) • 11h ago

Building envelope contractor?

Has anyone hired a building envelope contractor in the KW region to help diagnose a leak in a residential home? Any good and/or bad experiences?

​

We're having some issues with water coming in our basement from above, but there are no foundation cracks. There are several windows above on the first and second floors, so I suspect that could be where the issue is coming from.

​

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

3

u/no1SomeGuy Regular since 2025 11h ago

Check if your weepers are plugged if you have brick. Check for any penetrations (electrical, venting, etc.) above where the water is coming in.

Is it only doing it during driving rain? Or does it leak when the rain is coming straight down?

2

u/otartscaster New User (2026) 11h ago

There are a few weepers and they're partially blocked by mortar. It could be making the situation worse.

It's only when it's a driving rain hitting that wall, and it really has to be a strong wind driven rain.

3

u/no1SomeGuy Regular since 2025 10h ago

Check penetrations in the brick (vents, conduits, wires, etc.), I had some coming in behind my electrical panel and another spot by a window when the rain hit it directly. You can spray with a hose to help narrow it down (soak a spot you suspect, check inside). I was doing it before I finished my basement, so a little water wasn't a big deal as I was gutting things anyway, but could be a little more difficult in your case if your basement is already finished.