Reliable Basement Waterproofing

Reliable Contractor Services Guide To Basement Waterproofing In the Cleveland, Ohio Area | Reliable Basement Waterproofing

Most people do not enjoy having a wet basement. In the Cleveland, Ohio area, call Reliable Contractor Services at 440-324-2380.

A wet basement can be a property owner’s nightmare!

From a finished basement that’s flooded to an unfinished basement with leaks or dampness, water is no friend to your home after service of Reliable Basement Waterproofing.

If you’ve experienced leaking walls, floors or cracks in your property’s basement, it’s probable you need the help of an experienced basement-waterproofing contractor to find a basement solution. But you’ll quickly find a variety of choices in basement waterproofing repairs or systems designed to tackle the problem, as well as opinions on which one is most effective. If you notice water in your basement, investigating the solution should start outside your home. Make sure your home’s gutters, downspouts or other drainage systems are working effectively and diverting water away from the home.

The grade of soil around the foundation should encourage water to flow away from exterior walls.

“Roof drainage and having a positive grade away from the foundation are both very important,” says Ken Weaver of Reliable Contractor Services in Lorain, Ohio. Basement windows should be also be above ground level and tested to ensure a watertight seal.

Reliable Contractor Services Basement Waterproofing Video

Stopping any water problems that originate from gutters, downspouts or the grading around the foundation can help you avoid a flooded basement and spending thousands of dollars on basement waterproofing.
Keep gutters clean, downspouts away from the house, don’t build mulch beds too high, and keep water flowing away from the home as much as possible.

Get estimates from several companies
It’s a significant investment to hire a contractor to perform basement waterproofing: minor repairs can cost as little as $300 to $500, but more complex systems can cost as high as $2,000 to $20,000 depending on the problem and how much area it affects. According to recent Angie’s List reports, the average homeowner spends $7,215 on basement waterproofing.

That’s why it’s important to get several estimates from different companies. And be aware that some competing basement waterproofing companies prefer to rely on sales tactics, not quality repairs, to obtain customers.

Scare tactics or high-pressure sales approaches should be avoided. Get several estimates, don’t allow high-pressure sales pitches to sway your decision and ask around for someone you can trust.

What basement waterproofing system works best for you?
Reliable Basement Waterproofing contractors agree one size does not fit all.

Every basement water problem is unique and the solution should be tailored to the job. It could be cracking or deterioration of the basement walls, movement in the foundation walls, improper backfilling when built, clogged footer drains or deteriorated sewer lines.

Cleveland, Ohio Basement waterproofing solutions
What type of basement waterproofing repair system you choose to install is dependent on your home’s unique situation and construction, including what type of foundation system is in place. It’s also important to note that in many cases, not just one type of repair, but rather a combination of approaches, may be necessary.

Waterproofing primer or paint products

One waterproofing repair that most contractors don’t recommend was waterproofing paints or primer. They said that sealing basement walls that have leaked produces little more than a cosmetic solution if the source of the water problem isn’t addressed.

Crack injections

This repair approach is generally only suitable for poured concrete foundations where seepage is originating from the walls (not floors). Foundations such as brick, stone or cinder block are not ideal candidates.

Injecting an epoxy or polyurethane material into a crack can help prevent water from entering the basement, but some basement waterproofing companies regard this solution as a temporary fix and not a permanent solution. Typical cost of crack injections: $300 to $500 depending on the size and length of the crack.

Exterior excavation waterproofing

Exterior waterproofing involves excavating 6 to 8 feet down to the foundation wall footer and correcting drainage by installing new drainage tiles or a French drain system. At the same time, waterproofing companies will also typically apply a waterproof material or membrane to the exterior wall’s surface to make sure that water doesn’t infiltrate it again.

Depending on the number of areas affected by water infiltration, exterior basement waterproofing, also known as positive side waterproofing since it deals with the source of water or hydrostatic pressure, may involve one wall of the foundation, or multiple walls; which would increase the project’s overall cost.

Due to the extensive excavation required, exterior basement waterproofing is often more expensive than other methods. However, it carries the advantage of excluding water from the home and requires little to no ongoing maintenance once the project is complete.

The downside, other than cost, is the disruption to the home’s landscaping and attached features such as porches and driveways. Be sure to ask about what your property will look like after the work is complete.

An exterior basement waterproofing company that takes a comprehensive approach should have a plan in place to minimize the impact to your home’s appearance. Exterior excavation may also be a poor option for homes that are situated in a high water table area. Typical project cost for exterior basement waterproofing: $80 – $100 per linear foot

Interior excavation waterproofing

Property owners often choose an interior waterproofing method because it costs significantly less than exterior waterproofing. Interior drain system waterproofing will address hydrostatic pressure, that is, the pressure of groundwater forcing its way through the basement walls or foundations. Because interior perimeter drain systems deal with water after it has entered a basement, it may be referred to as negative side waterproofing.

Some contractors also prefer the terms “water control” or “water management” since these systems primarily deal with water in the basement after the fact, rather than preventing it from entering the home. Systems vary, but typically a contractor will excavate a trench 4 to 18 inches wide within the perimeter of the basement. Drainage tiles or piping is then installed, routing water from seepage areas to a sump pump system. To remain effective, the pipes or drainage tiles must remain free of obstructions or clogs; some contractors will install access ports for maintenance.

Another key part of the system is a working sump pump to actively remove water once it has entered the home. With this type of system, waterproofing contractors also suggest that a backup battery-operated sump pump is an essential consideration to prevent water from overtaking the basement during power outages.

While interior excavation and drainage systems are less costly than exterior systems, they’re not without their drawbacks. Excavating in a finished basement obviously presents issues for a homeowner and some contractors advise that there’s a possibility of structural damage when compromising the integrity of a concrete basement floor. Typical project cost of interior excavation waterproofing: $50 – $75 per linear foot

Reliable Contractor Services in the Cleveland, Ohio area is your one stop shop. We perform plumbing drain cleaning and repair/installation, basement waterproofing, excavation, and pipe video inspection/recording along with high pressure water jetting.
Residential and Commercial services are available 24/7!

Why is important to know your contractor?

• There are weekend warriors and the other hand there are licensed, bonded, insured and accredited contractors. If you want it done twice, hire the weekend warrior!
• Most all of the licensed, bonded and insured contractors are good, but some are better than others. We recommend that you the customer ask a lot of detailed questions.
• When hiring a licensed contractor, they are held to higher standards (especially ones state licensed).
• Lower cost contractors are usually the worst decision. Please be sure to ask why they are lower than other quotes and check their references. Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and local authorities to see to determine the contractor’s reputation.

Serving the greater Cleveland, Ohio area, give us a call today at 440-324-2380. We’ll be there for you.

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With over 25 years of experience, we at Reliable Contractor Services are committed to offering our customers the most effective solution to your problem at the fairest price possible. ####