Basement Waterproofing FAQ

No. These are two separate issues and need to be addressed with different solutions.

There are ways to fix this. You need to determine what the issue is. If the issue is with the window itself, it will need to be repaired or replaced. If the issue is with the window well, landscaping, or gutters, that issue will need addressed. That is why it is important to consult a professional.

What we hear from homeowners is that they want a long-term warranty and peace of mind the issues will not happen again. That is why the best solution is an interior drainage system.

No. However, that is why it is best to consult with a waterproofing professional so that they can design the best solution for you based on the issues you are facing in your home.

Yes. Again it is important to work with a professional so that you get a solution with a long-term warranty and a company that gives you the peace of mind that they will do the work right and stand behind it.

There is no one size fits all approach. The solution to waterproof your basement needs to be designed specifically to address your issues and to accomplish your goals.

Basement condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes in contact with your cool basement walls and floor. Since the basement is below grade, it is cooler than the outside air temperature in the warmer months of the year. Warm outside air is drawn into the basement like a vacuum and when it comes into contact with the cool basement air, that is when condensation occurs.

Yes, you can take it with you. It is also very light weight.

Efflorescence — it is a mineral deposit left behind after water or moisture was present.

New construction waterproofing is often completed with no or a minimal warranty. There are different ways in which it can be waterproofed, but the most common way is through a spray on sealant on the walls, which can be damaged when the soil is backfilled around the house and/or can crack when the house moves or shifts. Also, exterior drain tile is commonly installed. Since the tile is sitting in the dirt, it can often become silted closed or damaged during the backfill process.

Sure-Dry provides solutions with long-term warranties. Considerations include the type of waterproofing system you install and the type of sump pump system you install. There are different options that offer different levels of protection.

If you think your basement is going to flood, you should remove any finished materials that you believe the water will come in contact with. Also, make sure nothing is on the floor.

This takes a professional to come in and do an inspection to determine an issue. Most wet basements are caused by exterior issues.

Depending on the severity of the problem, there a few systems available to solve a leaking basement. Sump pump systems, hydraway systems, or edge drains are all systems used to fix water in a basement.

Yes. You can even use a sealant but often the moisture is still coming in through the concrete walls and floors, which will eventually break the seal of the sealant material and water will get through again. It is better to fix the problem by installing a drainage system.

There are many different types. The main thing is where they are installed. If installed next to or below the footing, the drainage system is in the dirt/mud and is more susceptible to clogging. If installed on top of the footing, the system is out of the dirt and mud and will not clog.

It depends on what is causing the leak in your basement, there are both interior and exterior solutions. Basement drain systems will help prevent flooding and mold while basement wall options allow you to further protect your space.

Yes. It depends on the company and product what the warranty is. At the end of the day, the warranty is only as good as the company that stands behind it.

We don't use a "brush on" water sealer to stop water intrusion. Our system of waterproofing includes installation of a WaterGuard® interior drainage system and a TripleSafe™ Sump Pump system. If you want to restrict moisture and water vapors from entering your basement and add a layer of basement sealer to protect from mold at the same time, we install our CleanSpace® Basement Wall Vapor Barrier.

Cracks form in foundation walls for three main reasons: shrinkage cracks from curing concrete, cracks from foundation settlement, and cracks caused by expansive soils. Foundation wall cracks vary in severity from a simple cosmetic issue to a major structural problem with your home. However, even serious foundation problems, when addressed early on, can be quickly and permanently fixed.

Exterior systems sound just like what they are — systems placed on the outside of your home in the hopes of diverting groundwater, rain, and snowmelt away from your foundation. While great in theory, exterior systems definitely have their flaws. The most obvious problem with these types of solutions is that they require the outside of your home's foundation to be accessible. This means bringing in heavy equipment to excavate space all around the affected area so that crews can access your foundation.

Yes, there are interior solutions, including a drainage and sump pump system placed on the inside of your home to channel water up and out before it has a chance to accumulate. Sometimes called a French drain, these systems are installed below your basement's concrete slab floor around the perimeter of the home. These drains rest against the inside of the foundation wall, collect any water that seeps in, and direct it to a sump pump pit where the water is then pumped up, out, and away from your home.

There are a lot of variables to consider when estimating a job. The good thing is that Sure-Dry offers a free inspection that culminates in a same-day quote with one of our basement waterproofing experts.

At Sure-Dry, we pride ourselves on providing permanent solutions, and stand behind our work with industry-leading, fully transferable warranties and guarantees. Most of our foundation repair, basement waterproofing, and crawl space repair work is backed by a 25-year warranty.

• TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System
• SuperSump® Premier Pump System
• SmartSump® Crawl Space Sump Pump System

Our most reliable basement sump pump system, the TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System, provides three levels of protection for your basement and your peace of mind.

For normal functioning, the TripleSafe has a powerful, cast-iron Zoeller® ⅓ horsepower sump pump set at the lowest level. For heavy volumes of water, or in case of primary pump failure, a second, more powerful Zoeller ½ hp pump is placed slightly above the primary pump.

For an effective and more economical solution, our SuperSump® Premier Pump System can help keep your basement dry. The SuperSump includes a powerful Zoeller ⅓ horsepower cast-iron sump pump, capable of pumping 2,220 gallons of water per hour out of your basement.

Give us a call at 1-800-379-3788 and we'll contact you directly to schedule a free inspection and estime to determine the best solution for your home.

With specialized equipment by an experienced technician. Choosing the best sump pump for your needs is just as important as making sure it is installed properly.

No, there are not any local rebates. We offer free sump pump inspections to homeowners in our service area.

Regular flood testing to determine all functions are operational is important to the pump. It's a mechanical device, and without regular testing you won't know if it's functional unless you have some sort of alarm system to notify you. The service tech will clean out discharge lines to remove mud and debris and make sure the line is clear.

A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard.

A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin, commonly found in the basements of homes.

Not necessarily. Our experts can provide the best option(s) for your specific needs.

Cost depends on many factors. Give us a call today to schedule a free on-site, no-obligation estimate.

Installation is dependent on a multitude of factors. Our experts can provide the best option(s) for your specific needs.

Maintenance depends on things such as extent of the work done. Our experts can provide the best option(s) for your specific needs.

Flooded basements can come from many different areas. The solution to your flooded basement depends entirely on what's causing the flood in the first place. Some of the most common sources of basement water damage include leaky basement walls, ineffective basement drains, foundation wall cracks, leaky egress windows, and faulty or damaged basement sump pumps.

Aside from structural damage or damage to electric appliances, the number one danger is mold. Black mold is particularly dangerous because of its severe health risks, including breathing problems, fatigue, and depression.

With over 29 years in business, it sounds cliché to say that we've seen it all. We specialize in all basement and foundation solutions to meet nearly any problem we encounter. And, since we offer a free inspection and same-day quote of what Sure-Dry can do to stop mold before it starts, you have everything to gain.

Allow 2 to 3 weeks for the concrete to properly cure before you move forward with laying carpet. We provide our customers with a comprehensive leave-behind pamphlet that addresses this and other questions.

At Sure-Dry, we pride ourselves on providing permanent solutions, and stand behind our work with industry-leading, fully transferable warranties and guarantees. Most of our foundation repair, basement waterproofing, and crawl space repair work is backed by a 25-year warranty. Our concrete repair work is guaranteed for 5 years, and egress windows for 10.

Regular maintenance of your system can greatly reduce the need for service calls, ensure your system performs efficiently, and increase the life of the repair. The Sure-Dry Care Club and Sure-Dry Iron Club offer an annual maintenance program that includes 5% off future services and priority scheduling. Every annual maintenance includes a full inspection and complimentary basement protection evaluation.

Recurring leaks in your basement walls, floors, or ceiling are a hassle to clean up and create a damp environment that serves as a breeding ground for mold and wood rot. Mold growth can seriously damage your basement walls, your possessions, and even your indoor air quality. Not to mention, a home with a wet basement becomes much more difficult to sell. In fact, a wet basement is one of the most serious "red flags" that deters buyers and lowers your home's value.

More than likely, it's a sign of mold. Mold can grow anywhere where there's air, moisture, and organic material to feed. It's particularly likely to flourish in damp, humid areas of the home. It's no surprise that basement mold is a common problem for homeowners.

With over 29 years in the business, we have seen it all and we have fixed it all. Our patented system includes a non-clogging WaterGuard® interior drainage system, our TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System plus, a layer of basement sealer to protect from mold at the same time with our CleanSpace® Basement Wall Vapor Barrier to eliminate the worry of a wet basement.

Water can enter your home wherever there is an opening in the foundation. This includes cracks in the walls and floors, as well as openings around pipe conduits. Cracks in the basement walls and floors signal potentially serious damage to your foundation and can lead to additional issues.

We fix leaking basement windows with the WellDuct® Basement Window System to redirect flooding to a perimeter drain or drywell.

Yes, we pull any permits and observe all codes in the areas where we perform the work.