Sherwood Park continues to grow, with newer homes in Summerwood, Clarkdale Meadows, Aspen Trails, Hillshire and Cambrian. New construction can still leak: settling foundations, missed flashing, poor lot grading, loose plumbing fittings and frozen lines in first-winter homes are all common. In Alberta, most new homes come with mandatory warranty coverage under the New Home Buyer Protection Act. Here’s how it relates to water damage. General information only. Check your warranty documents and the Government of Alberta’s guidance for current rules.
Water in your new Sherwood Park home? Get it dried first.
Emergency water removal, drying & repairs across Sherwood Park and Strathcona County. Free phone assessment.
Alberta New Home Warranty Minimums
| Coverage | Minimum term | Water-related examples |
|---|---|---|
| Labour and materials | 1 year | Defects in materials and workmanship |
| Delivery and distribution systems | 2 years | Plumbing, heating and electrical system defects, such as a leaking supply fitting or drain line |
| Building envelope | 5 years | Water getting in through the roof, walls, windows, doors or foundation |
| Major structural components | 10 years | Structural defects |
The building envelope coverage is especially important for water damage: if rain, snowmelt or groundwater gets in because of a construction defect within the first five years, it may be a warranty matter.
Common Water Problems in Newer Homes
- Foundation cracks and leaks at the floor-wall joint during the first spring melts
- Negative grading as backfill settles toward the house
- Window and door leaks from missing flashing or caulking
- Plumbing fittings that loosen or fail in the first year
- Frozen lines in bonus rooms over garages where insulation was missed
- Sump discharge lines that freeze in the first winter
What to Do When You Find Water
- Stop or contain the water and stay safe.
- Take dated photos and video of where water is entering and the damage.
- Notify your builder and warranty provider in writing as soon as possible and follow their claim process and deadlines.
- Start drying immediately. Don’t let wet drywall and carpet sit for days waiting for an inspection. Mould can begin in 24–48 hours.
- Tell your home insurer. Contents and some resulting damage may be insurance matters. See our Alberta insurance guide.
- Keep every receipt and report.
Why Professional Documentation Helps
Builders and warranty providers need evidence of the defect. A water damage restoration company in Sherwood Park can provide moisture readings that trace where water entered, photos of the entry point once drywall is opened, and drying logs, which can help show it’s a construction issue rather than a maintenance one.
Prevention for New Homeowners
- Fill settled areas each spring so soil slopes away from the foundation.
- Keep downspout extensions on year-round and pointed away from the house.
- Clear snow away from the foundation before the thaw.
- Test your sump pump and check that the discharge line can’t freeze.
- Watch for new foundation cracks in the first two winters.
Related: flooded basement steps · frozen pipes · costs
New-build leak? We extract, dry and document it.
Emergency water removal, drying & repairs across Sherwood Park and Strathcona County. Free phone assessment.