Basement waterproofing
Wet floors, damp walls and musty basements have causes you can find. Here's how waterproofing companies in the Chippewa Valley approach them.
Waterproofing starts with a question: where is the water coming from? Water that runs in at one corner after a storm usually points to a downspout or grading. Water that shows up along the bottom of every wall during snowmelt usually means groundwater pressure at the footing. Water that seeps through a single line on the wall is a crack. Each one has a different fix, so a good inspection matters more than any one product.
Interior or exterior waterproofing?
| Interior system | Exterior system | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Drain tile inside the footing, a sump pump, and often a wall membrane | Dig down to the footing, apply a membrane or coating, add footing drain tile |
| What it does | Collects water that gets in and pumps it out | Keeps water off the wall in the first place |
| Disruption | Basement floor is cut along the walls | Yard, landscaping, steps and patios near the wall are dug up |
| Season | Any time of year | Generally after the ground thaws |
In the Chippewa Valley, interior systems are the most common fix for seepage at the floor joint, because they can be installed year-round and don't require digging up the yard. Exterior work makes more sense for a single problem wall that's easy to reach, or when a wall also needs structural repair from the outside.
What about damp walls with no running water?
Dampness, a musty smell and a white crust on block walls often come from moisture moving through the masonry. Fixing gutters and grading, running a dehumidifier, and sealing larger openings can help. Waterproof paints are a cosmetic fix at best on a wall that's actively wet.
Crawl spaces and additions
Many older homes have a crawl space under a porch or addition next to a full basement. Water and damp air from the crawl space can drift into the basement. Waterproofing companies can add a vapor barrier on the crawl space floor, seal it off from the basement, and tie its drainage into the same sump.
What affects the price?
- How many feet of wall need drain tile or membrane
- Whether the basement is finished and walls must be opened
- Interior or exterior access, including steps, decks and driveways
- The sump, pump and discharge setup needed
- Any crack repair or wall bracing done at the same time
The waterproofing company prices the job after walking the basement, looking at the outside grading and finding where the water actually gets in. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone before a visit is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Will sealing the inside of the wall stop my leak?
Rarely on its own. Coatings applied to the inside of a wall that's under water pressure tend to blister and peel. They work best combined with drainage that relieves the pressure.
Can waterproofing be done in an Eau Claire winter?
Interior drain tile, sump pumps and crack injection are done indoors and can be installed in winter. Exterior excavation usually waits until the ground has thawed.
Related services
- Interior drain tile and sump pumps
- Foundation crack repair
- Basement wall bracing
- Window wells and egress windows
More background: Eau Claire basement waterproofing guide.
Water on the basement floor, a damp wall or a sump that won't quit?
Call now and a local waterproofing company will help you find where the water is coming from.