| Exterior waterproofing | $ 15,000 to $ 35,000 |
| Baseboard channels | $6 to $ 30 per linear foot |
| Footer drainage systems | $ 20 to $ 35 per linear foot |
| DIY (small problem) | $ 45 to $ 205 |
Estimating the cost of waterproofing a basement depends on the following factors. The most important is to determine the correct source of water in the basement. After all, a mistake at this stage will lead to payment for work that will not save you from the problem and you will spend extra money. Common causes of a wet basement are condensation on the basement walls, water ingress through cracks in the walls, getting wet through the floor-to-wall joint, and water seeping through cracks in the basement floor. The cost of work and materials for waterproofing the basement will largely depend on the cause. Let's dwell on each in more detail and tell you about the cost of each of them. But before that, here are a couple of tips on how to avoid getting your basement wet so it stays dry.
It is necessary to inspect the foundation of your house from all sides for depressions in the ground, and garden paths with a slope towards the house - the slope should be from the house. Pay attention to the gutter - it must be in good working order, the downpipes must be properly fixed and the water is drained from the roof into the storm sewer, the gutters must be cleared of debris and leaves. Make sure there is nothing in the way of the basement drainage? The drainage must be at least 8 feet from the basement wall. Perhaps tidying up the above will give you a dry basement.
If these measures did not help you, then let's take a closer look at each of the possible reasons for your basement getting wet:
Condensation is the formation of water droplets on cold surfaces, such as your basement walls or floor. Traces of moisture are often visible on these surfaces. The solution is quite simple - to ensure the removal of water vapor from the air. A regular fan will help with this, which will remove air from the basement to the outside. The second option is to install a dehumidifier, which will also remove excess moisture from the air. Usually, both options are used together. The humidity level in the basement should be kept to no more than 50%.
The total cost for this type of basement waterproofing is $ 224: $ 29 for a fan and $ 195 for an air dryer.
Cracks in the walls through which the basement gets wet are most often found in concrete walls. Cracks are sealed with a special sealant that waterproofs the crack and saves the wall from getting wet. Do not forget about the recommendations described above for draining water from the basement.
Total cost to seal a foundation waterproofing crack: $ 45 to $ 205. Depends on the length of the crack and it's number.
Above, some methods of self-waterproofing a basement were considered. Now let's move on to the permanent solutions from the professionals for the wet basement and the associated costs.
The most expensive basement waterproofing option is exterior waterproofing. But also the most reliable - it will protect the basement from the outside, not allowing the walls or the floor to get wet. Expensive - because it takes a lot of work. In addition, it has several disadvantages when used. External waterproofing is based on a waterproof layer that is sprayed with special equipment or applied to the outer surface of the foundation walls of a house to create a water barrier. Unfortunately, the best time to apply outdoor waterproofing protection is during the construction phase of your home basement.
Exterior basement waterproofing is not entirely suitable for an existing home as the work involves excavating the soil around the home to expose the foundation walls. And of course, the biggest disadvantage of this option is the high cost, because then you need to restore the area around your home. This also requires cash from the homeowner.
The total cost of exterior waterproofing of a home ranges from $ 15,000 to $ 35,000. Too many factors affect the final cost of the job.
For waterproofing your basement in a finished home, waterproofing from the inside is most appropriate - interior waterproofing. It is cheaper, faster, and rather reliable if the work is done by professionals. At the moment, two approaches are used:
1. Baseboard channels along the perimeter of the basement in the form of a plinth, which are installed above the floor. They collect all the water that entered the basement and drain it away. It turns out that instead of installing a water barrier, we collect it and remove it. This keeps the basement dry. Perfect for basements that are filled with in-situ concrete.
Baseboard channels cost for basement waterproofing starts from $ 6 per linear foot (if the work is done independently) to $ 30 per linear foot (if installed by a contractor)
2. Footer drainage systems are the most commonly used by contractors because they require less labor than previously used pipes and gravel, and most importantly, they are extremely effective in protecting your basement. The old approach is very expensive due to the amount of manual labor involved. To install a modern system, it is necessary to remove part of the floor around the perimeter of your basement in order to install a drainage channel on the base of the foundation to drain water into the sump pump system. The systems have inspection hatches for possible cleaning of the system. The advantage of this system is that it is not buried in the ground, which over time can clog the channels and impair the performance of the entire system.
The cost of this option for waterproofing a basement with a footer drainage system is from $ 20 to $ 35 per linear foot.
The size of the basement is needed to calculate the length around the perimeter to know the required volume of the future drainage system of one type or another.
The age of the house affects the type of foundations used. In houses after the end of the 60s, they began to use a foundation in a pillow, on which a drainage system is mounted. This means that the cost of work will be less.
Foundation type. If the basement walls are made of hollow blocks, then water can accumulate in the voids, leading to mold formation and the destruction of the blocks over time. To do this, it is necessary to drill holes in the lower block for water drainage. This will allow the water to drain into the drainage channel and keep the wall dry.
Factors that can reduce the cost of waterproofing your basement:
Factors that will increase the cost of waterproofing:
Expert opinion: If your home is located in a warm state, where there is no severe frost, of course, you should give preference to a system for removing moisture from the inside. Concrete as a material itself is not afraid of moisture and is not destroyed by it. But if you have severe frosts in winter and the ground can freeze to the base of the basement, then the water will turn into ice, which expands. Many have seen water bottles burst in the cold. The same will happen with your foundation. But not immediately, but gradually. Each time the water that freezes in the crack will expand and enlarge the crack. Therefore, in this case, although this method is expensive, it is better to waterproof the basement from the outside of the house.