The War Against Wet Basements - Solutions and Costs

An article in the Hartford Courant published today discusses the ongoing struggle homeowners face when their basements get wet, especially when the weather is "wetter-than-average." The article quotes Larry Janesky, founder and president of Basement Systems, at length when discussing the causes, solutions and cost of prevention. 

Waterproofing companies in Connecticut say business is up more than 50 percent from last year. The rainy weather and people who are worried that they won't be able to sell their home with a damp basement are fueling the spike in business, they say.

Larry Janesky, owner of Connecticut Basement Systems in Seymour, said the rain pattern this year caused many of the problems.

"We'd get nothing for a week, and then it would rain very hard," said Janesky, who has been in the waterproofing business 17 years.

Moisture creeps into basements when a foundation's exterior is exposed to more water than its drainage system can carry away. As the pressure builds, the water seeks the path of least resistance, which often happens to be through any crack or pore in the foundation floor and walls.

Whatever the source, water in the basement can be a serious problem. Water promotes mold, which makes basements smell musty and can affect how people feel. It deteriorates building materials. If it seeps below the foundation, it can soften the soil and cause part of the house to sink.

In a best-case scenario, a house will have a number of safeguards for keeping the basement dry. Gutters and downspouts will collect rainwater from the roof and direct it to a storm sewer or a point away from and lower than the house. Soil will slope away from the foundation, and the yard might dip in strategic places to channel the water past the house.

An impermeable barrier will protect the foundation walls, and footer drains around the perimeter will collect and carry off water that reaches that point. When one or more of those elements is missing, inadequate or performing poorly, water takes advantage of the situation.... 

Janesky has seen some pretty dire circumstances over the years.

"What was the worst I've seen - How about lifting the outside hatch and having just one step showing or when the light bulb is hinging and the water's just barely touching it," Janesky said.

Surprisingly, it's not the amount of water in the basement that drives the cost, Janesky said.

The cost of fixing a wet basement depends on the size of the basement and the "goals and tolerance level" of the homeowner, he said.

A homeowner who has invested a lot of money in the basement and does not want a drop of water or a speck of mildew to intrude can buy accessories and a special dehumidifier.

Janesky said the cost of waterproofing a basement could range from $5,000 to more than $10,000.

Janesky said exterior waterproofing is rarely done. It involves excavating around the foundation, repairing or installing footer drains, and perhaps installing a water barrier on the outside of the walls.

"Think about it: If you have a ranch, you're losing half of your indoor space with a wet basement," Janesky said. "If you have a two-story home, you're losing a third of your space."

Read the entire article on the Hartford Courant site. 

About Basement Systems, Inc.

Basement Waterproofing is a critical element to finishing a basement because, in order to create a fully functioning recreational below-grade space, a dry and secure area is required. With more than 30 patented products and thousands of superior installations each year, Basement Systems, Inc. is a leader in the basement waterproofing and crawl space repair industry. Contact us today!