Basement waterproofing advice?

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

While we're on the subject of rain... Does anyone have recommendations for a basement waterproofing service? We have some minor seeping of water during heavy rains and want reputable advice.

Comments

[enhf94.livejournal.com]

I just had excellent, non-bank-breaking service from Mike Whittaker at:

http://www.whittakercontracting.com/

[ratushebarl.livejournal.com]

Another vote for Whittaker! Told me he doesn't usually have time to take small (smaller than "full remodel or new addition") jobs, but last month did a fantastic job waterproofing my house. This job was all aboveground, but based on the experience I'd leap to hire him for any job he'd take.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

My advice would be don't bother. If it's just minor seeps of water, as opposed to gushing torrents, as long as no one lives in the basement, I'd just live with it. Basement waterproofing is rather difficult, because once the water table rises above the level of the basement, it's going to find away in one way or another. At my parents' place in California we put french drains on both sides of the house and that worked fairly well, but they have two bedrooms down there, so it was worth the expense.

[red-liner.livejournal.com]

Per the comment above from Gruene, it's true that seepage may not be a problem, depending on how much and what you use the basement for.

Also, it's very worth doing a little looking around outside - very often, seepage can be reduced or eliminated by doing a better job of directing water away from the house. Check your downspouts, and the grading around the foundation, especially during a nice heavy rain. I discovered that our yard is actually directing runoff to a place where I'm getting a little seepage, and am optimistic of being able to remedy it with some shovel work. A good contractor will mention this sort of thing as a first step, as you can do a ton of inside work and not get good results if you don't address the source.

Good luck!