Wanted to add a cost angle to this checklist, because the timing matters more than usual in spring 2026.
Waterproofing materials — membrane products, hydraulic cement, drainage board — have been absorbing the impact of the Section 232 tariffs on imported materials. We are seeing 15-20% cost increases on some product lines versus 12 months ago, and supply predictability on certain grades of drainage board has gotten shorter notice from distributors.
What that means in practice: if your spring inspection turns up active moisture or efflorescence in the basement, do not sit on it through April waiting for multiple quotes. The price you are quoted today is likely better than the price you would get in July, between seasonal demand and materials volatility.
The checklist above is designed to help you sort what needs immediate attention from what you can monitor. The foundation perimeter issue — water pooling within two feet of the wall at any downspout discharge — is the one I would act on first if you find it. That is the path of least resistance for water to keep finding its way in over the next few months.
One more thing worth knowing: if you end up pulling a permit for basement waterproofing or a backwater valve installation, Toronto is running a $6,650 flood protection subsidy starting May 1, 2026. That is real money, and it requires proof of permitted work. The GTA permit cost thread has a breakdown of what triggers a permit and what the fees look like.
Found something on your walkthrough and not sure what category it falls into? Post a description or photo below. Happy to give you a read on urgency versus monitor.