The cost for waterproofing a basement can range from $500 to $3,500 depending on the extent of the waterproofing and amount of work involved.
Waterproofing is an important precaution for basements that are prone to moisture buildup or leaks, as water damage can cause mold, as well as expensive damage to the homes foundation. However, its also an excellent proactive measure for any basement that might experience flooding.
To get a more accurate idea of how much it will cost to waterproof your basement, request a free estimate from a professional in your ZIP code. Before doing that, however, lets break down the various pricing structures and services available for basement waterproofing.
Moisture in a basement can result from a variety of issues, such as poor drainage on the exterior of the home, groundwater seeping up and in from a water table below the foundation, condensation, or actual leaks in the foundation.
Visible signs of a moisture problem include condensation forming on the walls, water pooling, and/or ongoing musty odors. Leaks and cracks only get worse over time and can lead to mold in the home as well as expensive damage to the foundation. Dont put off waterproofing your basement if you see any signs of a moisture problem.
Waterproofing the exterior of your basement will cost between $9,000 to $15,000 for the average home. Most professionals will tell you that the best way to waterproof your basement is to fully waterproof the exterior, but its also the most expensive option. This typically involves excavating the house to the foundation walls, and installing a waterproof coating with drainage panels that lead to an exterior French drain at the bottom of your foundation.
Interior waterproofing is cheaper than exterior waterproofing, and there are several methods a professional can use with varying costs:
Adding an interior drainage system including a dehumidifier, pump, and floor drain costs between $700 ad $2,600 on average nationwide. Depending on the region where you live, the additional load on utility bills to run a dehumidifier 24 hours a day could cost around $10 per month.
A system like this will pull most moisture out of the air and direct the liquid into your drain and sump pump.
John Wernsdorfer of W Property in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, says it is difficult estimate an average price per square foot for waterproofing basements because each home or commercial property has such different needs. Here are some cost examples for residential and commercial property waterproofing jobs done by his company:
400-square-foot residential basement: Water was leaking water through the walls and floor in a newly purchased home after rain storms. The water seeping in from underground turned out to be a function of bad drainage off the roof. We fixed the roof drainage and made minor gutter additions. We also installed a dehumidifier as a backup, stationed above the potential flood level to run 24 hours a day and drain automatically into the sump. The wetness was completely stopped.
600-square-foot residential basement: Water from an underground shallow water table was seeping into the basement. We sealed the floor and walls as best as possible and slowed the seepage, but its not always possible to stop it completely. We then had a dehumidifier installed as a backup, stationed above the potential flood level to run 24 hours a day and drain automatically into the sump.
1,500-square-foot commercial basement: Water was leaking through the walls and floor in the furniture storage area of a new furniture store. Water was seeping in through draining cracks off the parking lot. We sealed the interior floor and walls, then filled the many cracks and tar holes in the parking lot draining water toward the basement. We also repaired a pooling water location near the basement entrance. This work slowed the seepage. We installed a dehumidifier as a backup, stationed above the potential flood level to run 24 hours a day and drain automatically into the sump. The water leakage was stopped almost entirely. Fully repairing the parking lot would have ended the problem, but the cost to repair and repave the lot was well above the clients budget, so waterproofing provided an effective alternative.
Waterproofing a basement is a costly undertaking, but preventing damage to your homes foundation will save you money and agony in the long run. The best way to save money is to ask the contractor a lot of questions, research the materials and options available, and hire someone whose solution you think makes the most sense for your basement and your budget.
Fully waterproofing a basement requires several steps, including identifying and eliminating the problem, taking measure to prevent moisture buildup, and sealing the concrete once those two things have been taken care of. It will likely require the trained eye of an expert to fully understand your situation, which is why this is one home improvement job that is often best left to the pros.