Basement Waterproofing in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Elite Foundation books free basement waterproofing inspections in Grand Rapids and nearby cities. A licensed local contractor finds where the water is getting in and recommends a fix that deals with the source, not just the symptom.

Where the water comes from

Basements leak because the soil around them fills with water. After heavy rain or snowmelt, that water pushes on the walls and floor. This is called hydrostatic pressure. It finds the weak spots:

• the cove joint, where the wall sits on the footing and the floor was poured later. This is the most common leak;
• cracks in poured walls;
• porous block: hollow concrete block fills with water and lets it seep through;
• window wells that fill up and leak around the window;
• pipe holes where water lines and utilities pass through the wall.

Interior waterproofing

The most common fix in existing homes. It does not try to stop water reaching the wall. It catches the water and removes it.

1. The concrete floor is cut along the inside of the walls.
2. A perforated pipe (drain tile) is laid in gravel next to the footing.
3. A plastic dimple membrane goes against the wall so water running down it drops into the drain.
4. The pipe runs to a sump pit, and a pump sends the water outside.
5. The floor is patched with new concrete.

It is done from inside, works in winter, and handles water from the walls and from under the floor. More on drain tile and sump pumps.

Exterior waterproofing

The soil is dug out down to the footing. The wall is cleaned and repaired, a waterproof membrane and drainage board go on, and a new footing drain is laid. It stops water at the wall itself, but it costs more, needs access around the house and digs up landscaping, decks and walks. It makes the most sense when a wall needs repair from the outside anyway.

Smaller fixes that help

• Gutters and downspouts that drain at least several feet from the house.
• Grading so the soil slopes away from the foundation.
• Window well covers and drains.
• Crack injection for a single leaking crack in a poured wall. See foundation repair.

Waterproof paints and sealers can help with damp walls, but they do not hold back water under pressure.

What basement waterproofing costs

HomeGuide puts the cost to repair a foundation leak at $250 – $15,000 nationally (source). The price depends mostly on how many feet of wall get drain tile, whether a new sump pit and pump are needed, and whether any work is done outside. Read basement waterproofing cost for what drives it.

Questions

Can a wet basement be fixed for good?

Yes, if the fix matches the source. A drain tile system with a working sump pump handles water from the walls and floor. Sealing only the inside of the wall usually does not last.

Will insurance pay for basement waterproofing?

Homeowners policies usually do not pay for waterproofing or for damage from groundwater seeping in. Some policies cover sump pump backup with an extra rider. Ask your agent.

Can I waterproof my basement myself?

You can fix gutters, downspouts and grading yourself, and they often make a real difference. Drain tile, crack injection and excavation are contractor jobs. More in can I waterproof my basement myself.

Why does my basement only leak in spring?

Snowmelt and spring rain soak the soil when the ground below is still frozen, so the water has nowhere to go but toward the foundation. It is common in West Michigan.