Eau Claire Basement Waterproofing Guide (2026)

Updated October 19, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Winter	January average about 14°F; roughly 47 to 55 inches of snow a year	NOAA normals (via Wikipedia)
Ground	Glacial outwash sand and gravel, porous and connected to the Chippewa River	City of Eau Claire, 2022
Permits (contractor)	Dwelling Contractor certification plus a certified Qualifier to pull a one- or two-family permit	Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.31
Contracts	Basement waterproofing is covered home improvement; written contract required if you pay before completion	ATCP 110.01, 110.05
Right to cancel	3 business days for contracts over $25 signed at your home	DATCP, Wis. Stat. 423.202
Egress	20 x 24 in. clear opening; sill 60 in. max; wells 36 in. out	Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.03
Eau Claire permits	Inspection Services Division, 715-839-4947	City of Eau Claire

Why do Chippewa Valley basements take on water?

Eau Claire sits at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers. Its climate is humid continental, with a January average near 14°F and a snowfall total in the high 40s to mid 50s of inches depending on the measure. Much of that snow melts in a short window in spring, often before the ground below has fully thawed, which pushes water along foundations.

Underneath the city is a thick glacial outwash aquifer. In a 2022 presentation to the city council on the municipal wellfield, the City of Eau Claire described that sand and gravel aquifer as relatively thick, porous and permeable, with high hydraulic conductivity, and interconnected with the Chippewa and other rivers. Ground like that drains well, but on low lots near the rivers it also means groundwater can rise close to basement floors when the rivers run high.

Who can pull a building permit in Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305.31, no one may obtain a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling without a Dwelling Contractor certification (or the restricted version) and holding or employing a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. The Qualifier credential requires 12 hours of approved education to get and 12 hours of continuing education to renew. Owner-occupants pulling a permit on their own home are treated differently. Plumbing permits in Eau Claire are pulled by a licensed master plumber or the owner who lives in the home, according to the city.

What does Wisconsin's home improvement law cover?

Wisconsin's Home Improvement Practices code, ATCP 110, names "basements and basement waterproofing" in its definition of home improvement. Among its protections:

Written contract. Required when you pay anything before the work is complete, or when the seller solicited you at your home or by phone. It must list the seller's name and address, a description of the work and main materials, the total price, start and completion dates, and any warranty.
Honest claims. Sellers may not misrepresent product performance, licensing, bonding or insurance, or ask you to sign a completion certificate before the work is done.
Lien waivers. Contractors must give you a notice of your right to receive lien waivers, and provide them when asked.
Cancellation. DATCP explains that contracts over $25 signed at your home can be canceled within three business days.

DATCP also notes that a buyer who loses money because of a violation may sue for twice the loss plus costs and attorney fees.

What are the egress rules for a basement bedroom?

SPS 321.03 requires two exits from a basement used for sleeping. An egress window in each bedroom can serve as the second exit if it opens from inside without tools, has a clear opening of at least 20 by 24 inches, and has a sill no more than 60 inches above the floor (a permanent platform is required above 46 inches). A below-grade window needs a well at least as wide as the window and 36 inches out from the wall, built so water doesn't enter the house, with a ladder if it's deeper than 46 inches.

Questions to ask before you hire

Where do you think the water is coming in, and why?
Interior drainage, exterior work, or both, and what does each solve?
Does this job need a permit, and will you pull it under your Dwelling Contractor certification?
Where will the sump discharge go?
What exactly does the warranty cover, and is it in the written contract?

Common questions

Is basement waterproofing covered by Wisconsin's home improvement rules?

Yes. ATCP 110.01 includes basements and basement waterproofing in the definition of home improvement, so the written contract and other protections apply.

Can I cancel a waterproofing contract I signed at my kitchen table?

According to DATCP, if the contract was over $25 and signed at your home, you have three business days to cancel. The contractor must give you cancellation notices when you sign.

Who issues permits in Eau Claire?

The City of Eau Claire Inspection Services Division, 203 S. Farwell St., 715-839-4947. Altoona, Chippewa Falls and Lake Hallie each have their own process.

Eau Claire basement waterproofing guide (2026)