Columbus & Central Ohio
Basement Waterproofing
The repair
Complete Basement Waterproofing in Columbus
Water on the floor or at the walls is a waterproofing problem. Clay around Columbus holds groundwater after rain and snowmelt. Freeze-thaw opens cracks that let more water in.
The usual repair is an interior perimeter drain and a sump pump. The drain collects water along the floor and carries it to the pump. The pump sends that water out of the house.
Exterior waterproofing is the other path. We use it when the outside wall is already open, or when water is clearly coming through from outside the wall. Crack repair is included when a crack is letting water in. A window well that fills and spills inside gets a drain.
We find the entry point on a free inspection. You see the work, the timeline, and the cost before anything starts. Drainage systems include a lifetime transferable warranty.
Warning signs
Signs Your Basement Needs Waterproofing
These show up after rain or snowmelt. One of them is enough to book a free inspection.
- Water on the floor after rain or snowmelt
- Damp spots where the wall meets the floor
- Water coming through a crack in the wall or floor
- A musty smell that returns after the room is dried
- White powder on the concrete
- A window well that fills and spills inside
- A sump pump that runs constantly, or one that quit during a storm
Repairs
Our Solutions
The inspection picks the repair for this foundation. Interior drainage is the job we do most.
Interior perimeter drain
Collects water along the basement floor and carries it to a sump before it spreads across the room. This is the repair most wet basements get.
Sump pump
Sends water from the interior drain out of the house.
Battery backup
Runs the sump pump when the power is out. Storms that fill the basement are often the storms that cut power.
Crack repair
Included when a crack is letting water in. A bowed or failed wall needs carbon fiber reinforcement or basement wall repair.
Exterior waterproofing
We dig down along the outside wall, apply a membrane, and add a drain there. We do this when that wall is already open, or when water is clearly coming through from outside.
Window well drain
Carries water out of a well before it spills over the window and into the basement.
Common questions
Basement Waterproofing FAQs
Why is water coming into my basement?
Clay around Columbus holds groundwater after rain and snowmelt. That water comes in at the floor, where the wall meets the floor, or through a crack freeze-thaw has opened. The free inspection finds which of those is happening.
Do you waterproof from the inside or the outside?
The usual job is an interior perimeter drain and a sump pump. We waterproof from the outside when the wall is already open, or when water is clearly coming through from outside the wall.
What if the power goes out during a storm?
A battery backup runs the sump pump when the power is out. We can put one on the plan for houses where an outage would leave the pump off while the drain is full.
Will waterproofing fix a bowing wall?
No. Waterproofing stops water. A wall that needs to be held is carbon fiber reinforcement. A crack, a lean, or water pushing through failed concrete needs basement wall repair.
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
The price depends on the house and the repair. We do not quote a number until we have seen the basement. After the inspection you see the work, the timeline, and the cost. Nothing starts until you approve the plan.
Do you warranty the drainage system?
Drainage systems include a lifetime transferable warranty. Ask about coverage on crack repair and other work when we walk through the written plan.
Have a question we did not cover? Contact us or browse our full FAQ page.
Schedule a Free Inspection
Tell us what the basement is doing and where the house is. The inspection and the estimate are free. Nothing starts until you approve the plan.