Condensation
About $280

If you notice excess condensation in your basement (on the walls or pipes) this water can drip onto materials and cause water damage. The simplest solution to this problem is to purchase a good quality dehumidifier. A decent, heavy duty dehumidifier typically costs about $250. In addition, you can insulate the pipes in your basement and ensure that all of the windows in your basement are closed and sealed during the winter to prevent cold air and rain from producing water on your walls and pipes. Cheap insulation and plastic sheets taped over the windows are the cheapest insulation solution, running at about $30.

Ground Water
$8 Per Crack or $11 Per Square Foot

A very costly problem in basements in ground water seeping through cracks in the floor or walls. If there is a visible crack in either, you may seal the crack with epoxy or caulk to prevent the problem from occurring. These materials typically cost around $8 per tube. One tube is normally enough to seal a crack. However, if there are no visible cracks or a large number of small ones, you may need to invest in a sump pump and interior drain. Do it yourself kits typically run at around $11 per square foot. Although this price can add up quite rapidly, professional installation would more than double the do it yourself cost.

Lawn Slope
Typically Around $100

Some lawns slope towards the foundation causing water to rush towards the house and seep through cracks in the basement. The major cause of this is flower beds or shrubs placed too closely to a house (less than one foot) These plants can reduce ventilation and cause moisture to build in the areas where they are planted. If slope is your problem, you can dig an irrigation ditch to draw water away form the house or install some simple underground pipes to allow ground water to flow into a nearby river or drain. Besides the time you spend digging and removing shrubs or flowers, this is arguably the cheapest solution to basement water problems. Plastic pipes from your local hardware store typically run at about $100, depending on how many you need.

Professional Waterproofing
Can Range From $2,000 to $12,000

If none of your home remedies work, you may need the assistance of a professional. Shop around before committing to a contract as waterproofing rates vary widely. Ask your neighbors is they used a service and what the results were. People that have used a contractor’s service will likely be more reliable sources than the company itself. Professional waterproofing should be your last result as the fee is normally anywhere from $2,000 to $12,000 depending on the problem and the contractor.

Here are some ways a homeowner can preserve their very valuable basement for weather emergencies:

Fix holes and cracks: When a holes or cracks begin to appear in any of the basement walls or foundation, do not wait to patch them up ‘later’ or it will be too late. Any homeowner whose house has a basement should always check their basement on a regular basis for such imperfections because over time and through all kinds of weather, holes or cracks are very possible. If patching up any hole or crack is not something the homeowner likes to do, they can hire a contractor to come out and use the proper sealant to fix the unwelcome holes and or cracks.

Waterproof Walls: The walls of a basement are very important to maintaing it’s stability. In fact, if the walls are not stable, the whole house might fall down. This is why it is vital to waterproof the walls, inside and outside the basement. There are some waterproofing products that can be applied to the walls such as Xypex and Drylok. Now, waterproofing is not the same as sealing either. The way Xypex works, it is like applying a waterproofing concrete to the walls of a basement. The product Drylok is not a sealer, not a waterproofing product, but works nonetheless on minor leaks.

Clear out gutters and downspouts: Just like any home, it is necessary to clear out all the leaves or branches that might find their way into the gutters and downspouts around your home. The same goes for your basement. After clearing the gutters and downspouts, check to see that water comes out and away from your home at least 4-5 feet away. The less water around the foundation of your basement, the better.

Check for condensation: Because the basement is underground, it is more likely to have a build up of condensation. Condensation can easily gather moisture on the basement cold water pipes, walls and floors. The best way to reduce or remove all condensation is to use a dehumidifier or let sunlight into the affected area. If sunlight is not possible, purchase a space heater. The space heater should not be plugged in and used unless the homeowner is in the basement of course.

Begin by diverting water away from your foundation with properly installed gutters and downspouts. This is the first step to a dry basement . Downspouts can be extended a short distance from the house for optimum water diversion.

Assess the condition of your basement. If the walls are painted and plant to apply a barrier sealant, the walls should be scraped and sanded. If there are large cracks in the floor or walls, these need to repaired. Fill thin cracks with a waterproofing mix. Clean out large holes and cracks in floors and walls and apply waterproofing mix.

Once the walls are properly prepared, several types of sealants can be applied. These sealants will create a barrier that keep moisture from seeping through the walls. They work best for dampness and seepage. If you have flooding in your basement, these products will need to be used in conjunction with drainage improvements.

Sealer paints are brushed onto the floor and walls of the basement. These products are easy to apply but follow label instructions carefully. Adequate ventilation is a must. A brush or paint roller can be used. Typically, these products are not sprayed.

For cement walls and floors, a good fiberglass-based sealant can be applied. It will fill small cracks and leaks and prevent further water penetration.

If your foundation is made of brick or stone, look for a product designed for these natural materials. Products for this specific application allow the stone to breathe while keeping excess moisture out.

Both of these types of sealants may need two applications for maximum effectiveness. They are usually water-based and can be thinned with water. Clean up is easy as well.

If larger amounts of water are entering your basement, you may need to improve drainage around your house. A french drain — a trench into which a drain pipe is laid — keeps water out of your basement by diverting it away from the foundation. These drains can become clogged with mud and silt over time, so they do require occasional maintenance.

A sump is a small reservoir under your basement that fills when the groundwater rises. A pump forces the water up and away from your house. Sump pumps are powered by electricity, so a batter back-up is recommended so that the pump will operate in a power failure. Sump pumps are often installed at the time of construction but they can be installed in an existing basement as well.

Severe basement flooding may require excavation, drainage improvements and the application of exterior barrier. A qualified contractor or basement waterproofing specialist can provide information on all of these options.