Cinder block Walls
Cinder block walls pose a unique problem.  Each block contains 2 cells.  As pressure builds, water can enter these cells.  If pressure becomes too great, penetration can happen at any of the seams between blocks.  When waterproofing cinder block, weep holes must be drilled in each cell to allow for drainage.  The moisture is then diverted into a sub-floor system to allow for a dry, worry free basement.


Custom Basement Waterproofing Solutions

Our basement water proofing technicians are proven, courteous, highly trained professionals. Coupled with our patented sump pump solutions, we provide the best basement water proofing services anywhere - at any price. Honest service and timely repairs using the right equipment - that’s our promise to you.

Basement Waterproofing System

A basement waterproofing system keeps water from entering your basement. There are four components of a typical basement waterproofing system: interior water drainage (a variation of pipe under the floor), protection from future wall cracks (settling cracks), a sump basin (sealed to not allow air or radon seepage) and a sump pump.

Exterior French Drain

I have installed exterior french drains but in most (98%) of these cases I do not recommend them.  A french drain is typically a gutter that is in the ground roughly 8 inches below the surface area surrounded by crushed stone to allow drainage.  This is an alternative to gutters on the house and may reduce the amount of water building up around your foundation.  It will not stop hydrostatic pressure.  The main reason I rarely recommend them is that in our service area, the ground is frozen during the time you need it the most.

Interior vs. Exterior Perimeter Drainage

Well it all depends on who you ask. If you ask a landscaper or a construction company, they would tend to lean heavily toward exterior.  A professional basement waterproofing company, just the opposite. Let me list some of the pro's and con's for each.  I will use the word typical a lot, as with everything, there are variations depending on circumstances.  

1. Cost - Exterior drainage must be placed below basement floor level to be effective. In most cases it is 6 or more feet below outside grade.  This means backhoe. Exterior costs are typically double that of internal systems.

2.  Damage - Exterior drainage must be close to the foundation of the house.  Typically this means loss of shrubs, plants, patios, decks and anything else not associated with the foundation of the house.  Internal systems open the concrete floor (roughly 6 - 8 inches wide) and must be placed next to walls.  If you have a finished basement, this typically means removing roughly 3 - 4 feet up on the wall around the area being worked on.  Do not forget to factor those that apply to the method being used.  The residual cost to replace these items will drive up the initial estimates.

3.   Warranty - Both system installers will warranty their work if they are a reputable company, at least for a period of time.  Only a reputable basement waterproofing company will warranty their SYSTEM for the life of the building.

4. Clogging - Both systems can clog!  Not many companies will tell you that.  In both instances the system being installed is surrounded by crushed stone which filters a majority of the sand and sediment from entering the "pipe".  Over time that sediment can build to a point which closes off the flow of water through the pipe.  Most interior systems prepare for this by installing some type of access into the system so it can be flushed.  Exterior systems can not only have this happen but also be crushed by the same equipment used to bury the pipe as well as have tree roots grow through them.  In either case they  must be scoped and then snaked.