"They are professional and thorough, but there is really no wiggle room if you would like something differently done. Choices in booklet are pretty basic, not a lot of options (for flooring types, door style, trim) This company is like the Anderson Windows of basements. (No doubt they spend a lot on advertising; There is a reason they are the top result when searching!) Expect to pay quite a bit more than you planned, but I knew if I chose them it would be done and warrantied for everything. Sometimes you just want to sign and not worry, and I would definitely pick Finished basements plus if you are in that situation and have the budget."
"Waterproofed basement. Did excellent job. Showed up on time. Salesperson knowledgeable and professional. Very competitively priced. Explained process in easy terms to understand. Did not have to dig up my yard, all work done inside. Workers were polite. Note: these pics taken after asbestos already removed from floor. First pic shows where water would drain if flooding would occur. Second pic shows where water would drain all along the wall if flooding occurs."
"Great Experience!! First of all, I had the service technician come out for a yearly service check on the sump pump system. Daniel Smykla did so much more. He inspected my basement. Also, he tested the waterproofing system and tightened the anchors. He was happy to give me advice on other issues that worried me. He only charged me the initial service charge on the sump pump! Daniel is warm, friendly, respectful, professional and very knowledgeable!! I will ask for Daniel for all future service!"
"The man that came to our house was very nice and we felt as though he was not trying to sell us a basement system, but more-so a piece of mind. Also, he explained exactly where everything would be and how it would all work. Thanks, Roger!"
"t. The night before I flew to Arizona to graduate from doctoral school, I had 4 inches of water in my basement. One guy came out at 11: 00 p.m. and tried and tried for about 45 minutes to an hour to clear the pipe, but was not getting anywhere, so I told him to just come back in the morning.I left them an entrance into the house to work on it the next day and left for Arizona. They found that the city pipe to the main sewer collapsed. They called me (I was in O"Hare airport) and let me know that they faxed the city to tell the city to get out and check the pipe. I called the city to get them to come out immediately (the city said they have 48 hours from the notification). The plumbers also called the city back because it was going to rain hard and I would have 8 inches of water in my basement. So, finally the city attorney called me and I told her that they had to get out there pronto or I would lose my furnace and hot water heater if any more water came in the basement. The attorney got the city crew out the next day. The plumbers checked on it through the whole ordeal and then the owner called me to let me know that the water was out of the basement and my basement was dry. I did the graduation walk with a smile instead of a worry that my basement would be completely flooded. Another time, my shutoff valves burst and it was raining in my basement (yea really). They came out right away and took care of that before my basement was completely wet. They were kind when they told me that my main shut off valves had to be replaced soon as they too were about to break. Because my house is old, I appreciated them telling me about things that are about to happen before I wake up to yet another plumbing fiasco. (They told me the valves would probably be okay if I did not turn them, but not to wait too long as they were the main valves and then it would have to be shut off at the street.) They go above and beyond what I would expect any service to do to resolve a plumbing problem I have read the other reviews. I really don't care what they use to light up whatever they have to see with, even if they ask me for my flashlight. I just want the problem fixed so it is really fixed. Everything they have fixed has not been a problem again at all. (Kitchen faucet, 2 sets of shut off valves, bathroom faucet, outside clean out, backup valve, sump pump. All these things have not been a problem at all. They are really kind when I call to ask basic questions. "
"Scott landscaped, painted exterior and interior of house, repaired multiple areas inside and out, waterproofed and finished basement, tuck pointed brick, sanded and refinished wood floors, replastered walls and ceiling and always willing to help us out with lifting and other activities as needed. Very conscientious and professional. Cleaned up after himself. Quality of work was excellent. Reasonably priced. Would very highly recommend."
"Stay Dry took the stress and worry out of the entire waterproofing process. The entire company was great, from the initial appointment, to the installation crew. I would highly recommend Stay Dry!"
Basement Waterproofing questions, answered by experts
If not properly maintained, an underground downspout may damage your home's foundation. A clogged downspout can back up, causing water to pool around the base of your home and seep into the foundation. Regular inspections and maintenance keep your downspout in good working order, preventing damage and protecting your home.
A vapor barrier can last over 20 years, but they are vulnerable to pests, flooding, and other natural disasters. If your home weathers a storm or is treated for any pest infestation, make sure to have a drywall pro come check the integrity of your vapor barrier. It’s also important to have a pro install a vapor barrier since improper installation can lead to tears or leaks in the barrier that shorten its lifespan.
Roughing in and connecting utilities are the hardest parts of finishing a basement, and they’re the parts we typically don’t recommend doing as a DIY project. Unfortunately, your finishing timeline can be extended by weeks while you wait for contractors and inspectors to install electrical wiring, plumbing lines, and heating/cooling equipment and carry out inspections.
Many prevention methods can be used individually or in combination to waterproof your basement. Some of the most common waterproofing methods include:
Using dehumidifiers
Silicate concrete sealers
Vapor barriers
Baseboard channels
Drain tile systems
Waterproofing paint
Drainage systems
Epoxy injection
Interior French drains
Exterior excavation and waterproofing
Cement waterproofing
Weep tiles
Liquid membrane
Sheet membrane
Yard grading
Gutters and downspouts
A walkout basement is considered to be partially below grade because at least one wall is entirely exposed. In some cases and in specific municipalities, inspectors and appraisers will still count walkout basements as below grade, which means the space can’t serve as living space or be rented out. If you intend on using the area as living space or a separate apartment, you should check with your local building department to make sure it’s legal to do so.
The Riga, MI homeowners’ guide to basement waterproofing services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to fix basement water problems or safeguard your home from damage in the future? Use this basement waterproofing cost guide to budget appropriately.
An unfinished basement has a lot of potential for a family room or guest suite. So how much does it cost to finish a basement? Read on for all cost factors.
A variety of factors can affect your total crawl space encapsulation cost. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of this project, whether you hire a pro or DIY.
Waterproofing your basement is important to protect your home. Follow these tips to ensure that you hire the right waterproofing contractor for the job.
Dealing with a damp basement? Follow these steps for DIY basement waterproofing to keep water and moisture out and boost your home’s energy efficiency.