Waterproofing Foundation: Average Cost Of Waterproofing A Basement

Flooding and foundation repairs are some of the most common problems that the owner of an older home will experience, and the average cost of waterproofing a basement is a question that is researched often.  If you have a wet basement or cracked walls and floors in your cellar, then it’s best to take care of the problem sooner rather than later.

The average cost of basement waterproofing repairs has a lot to do with exactly what kind of problems you’re experiencing.  If your basement only needs internal work–these symptoms include small cracks, damp walls, mold and mildew–then the cost probably won’t exceed a thousand dollars.

If, on the other hand, you end up needing external foundation work, then the costs could well exceed that and reach into the thousands.  The reason why this is so expensive is because outside work requires the help of basement waterproofing contractors who have the proper excavating equipment and experience with installing and repairing external waterproofing systems.

The main mechanism that moves excess water away from your basement are footer drain tiles that encircle your foundation.  If these become blocked, broken or clogged–as they often are in older homes–then it excess water cannot move away from your basement walls, and hydrostatic pressure builds up slowly over the years.

This gradual, steady pressure can lead to cracks, damp walls, an arid environment, and even floods in extreme situations.  The biggest problem is the fact that this will constantly get worse every year until you spend the money to hire a basement waterproofing company to take care of the problem.

Although it might end up costing you several thousand dollars to fix, always remember that you are protecting the value of your home and building equity at the same time.  Of course, you shouldn’t expect to have to pay anything at all for a basement inspection; free estimates on waterproofing work are a standard in this industry, and if a contractor tries to charge you for it, you should probably look elsewhere.