What a waterproofing job can include
- Interior drain tileA perforated pipe under the floor edge that carries seepage to a sump.
- Exterior membraneThe wall dug out to the footing, coated, and given a new footing drain.
- Sump pump and dischargeThe pit, pump and line that send collected water outside. See sump pump installation.
- Crack and wall workLeaking cracks sealed and moving walls braced. See foundation crack repair.
How an interior drain tile system goes in
Cut the floor edge
We cut a strip of the concrete floor along the inside of the wall.
Lay pipe in gravel
A perforated pipe goes into a gravel bed beside the footing.
Add a wall membrane
Many systems add a dimpled membrane on the wall so seepage runs down behind it into the pipe.
Pipe to the sump
The pipe slopes to a sump basin, and a sump pump sends the water outside.
Close it up
The trench is filled and the floor patched.
Interior systems are the common choice when digging outside is blocked by driveways, decks or neighbors close by.
What affects the price of waterproofing a basement?
No prices are listed here. We price the job after we inspect it, and these are the things that move the number.
- Interior or exterior method, or a mix
- Number of linear feet of wall that need drainage
- Depth to the footing and how hard the soil is to dig
- Finished walls, stairs or utilities in the way
- Whether a sump pit, pump and discharge line are needed
- Permit and inspection requirements in your city or township
Waterproofing vs dampproofing
Basement waterproofing is any work that keeps groundwater and surface water out of the space below grade, or collects it and pumps it out before it reaches the floor. It ranges from sealing one crack to excavating every wall. It is different from dampproofing, the thin coating builders put on new foundations, which slows moisture but is not meant to hold back water under pressure.
| Dampproofing | Waterproofing | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A thin coating builders put on new foundations | A membrane, a drain system or both |
| What it handles | Slows moisture through the wall | Water pushing on the wall or rising under the floor |
| When the Residential Code of Ohio calls for it | Basement walls from the footing to finished grade (R406.1) | Where a high water table is known to exist (R406.2) |
How does exterior waterproofing work?
The wall is dug out down to the footing, cleaned and covered with a waterproofing membrane, and a new drain is laid beside the footing before backfilling. The Residential Code of Ohio lists accepted membranes, including 6-mil polyethylene, 40-mil polymer-modified asphalt and 60-mil flexible polymer cement, with every seam lapped and sealed.
Exterior work stops water before it touches the wall, which is why the code calls for it where a high water table is known. It also costs more to restore the yard afterward.
Before we come out
- Where and when water shows upAfter rain, during spring thaw or all year.
- PhotosThe wet spots, the gutters and where the downspouts end.
- HistoryPast repairs and whether the basement is finished.
- City or countyWhether the house is inside the City of Medina, which has its own waterproofing permit.
- Room to workA few feet cleared along the problem walls before the visit.
Basement Waterproofing questions
Is interior or exterior basement waterproofing better?
Do I need a permit to waterproof a basement in Medina?
How long does basement waterproofing take?
Will waterproofing stop a damp, musty basement?
Get a basement waterproofing quote in Medina
Send your name and phone number, then the address and where the water shows up. We'll call you back to set up an inspection.