"We hired them to waterproof and repair our basement. They did a great job, and they have great customer service. We had a couple complaints when they left, and when we called them, they immediately took care of them with no hassel. They also called us like a week later to ask how things went and actually paid attention to what we had to say. There was torrential downpour that started same day they finished, and the basement was completely dry. There would have been puddles all over before."
"They completed it in 2 days and I havent had an issue since the basement was waterproofed. However, they did forget to plan the initial inspection prior to the work as part of the permit. The city I live in ended up reaching out near the end of the permit date and I didnt know about it until then. I reached out to the project manager for my project at Acculevel about it and they did handle that issue promptly."
"Mike is great at the planning and cost estimate. He gets right to work and works efficiently, finishing in less time and at a lower cost than I had expected. And he does great work! I now have a well insulated garage, and can't thank Mike enough."
"Rich came to give us a quote the same day we called. He told us what items could be cleaned and saved and what had to be disposed of. He took the time and explained everything thoroughly. The next morning his crew came on time and got right to work. Rich and the guys did a great job cleaning our basement. You would never know their was ever sewage in our basement. We are very happy with their work. We highly recommend Custom Craft Environmental."
"Scott did an incredible job with repairing our basement walls. He was very fair with his pricing (a lot lower than all the other quotes we received) and was extremely knowledgeable ans skilled to fix our basement walls. Great job and I would definitely use and recommend Precision again."
"They were good and it went very well.They were on time,quick about their work and I totally recommend them all the time.They were very nice company to hire and to work with."
Yes, you can finish a basement that leaks, as long as you address the leak first. Before finishing a basement, you’ll need to repair any cracks in the walls and waterproof the basement to prevent future leaks. It’s much harder to clean up a water leak from a finished basement than an unfinished one, so preemptively addressing any leaking areas prevents expensive repairs in the future.
It depends on what caused your basement flooding, the extent of the problem, and the risk of the flood continuing. If your flood is coming from a septic system or sewer line, breathing in the sewer gasses can be dangerous, so you should vacate. If the flood occurs from an ongoing natural disaster, relocating to a safe area might be wise. If you just have a plumbing leak or rainwater coming in, you can likely stay in the house if you don’t have electrical lines down there, but make sure you call in professionals to fix the issue immediately.
In nearly all cases, you are required to install a vapor barrier in your crawl space. However, local regulations will change based on the local climate and the crawl space's susceptibility to moisture. Even if a vapor barrier is not legally required, it is often a good idea to keep your crawl space dry.
It is better to have a crawl space that is tailored to the outside temperature, your needs, and the season. For example, it is much better to have a vented space when it’s very hot outside and your AC bills are sky-high. Conversely, when the temperature drops and humidity rises, it is almost always better to have your vents shut and covered if possible.
While a standard gutter system is widely considered the most effective way to prevent water damage to your home's foundation, several alternatives are available. These options can be used on their own in certain climates or as supplementary protection.
Common alternatives include:
Rain Chains: These are decorative chains that hang from the roof's edge, guiding rainwater to the ground.
Drip Edges: These metal strips are installed at the edge of the roof to direct water away from the fascia. While often used with gutters, they can be paired with a ground-level solution but are typically not sufficient on their own.
Rain Dispersal Systems: These systems work by breaking up the heavy sheet of water flowing off the roof, dispersing it over a wider area.
French Drains: This ground-level system uses a perforated pipe in a gravel-filled trench to collect and redirect water runoff away from the house.
Drip Paths: Placed directly below the roofline, these paths made of concrete, stone, or other materials prevent soil erosion and guide water away.
It's important to note that some alternatives like rain chains and dispersal systems may not be adequate in regions with heavy rainfall because they don't divert water away from the foundation as effectively as a full gutter system. Ground-based solutions like French drains can be very effective but are often more expensive and can affect your landscaping and curb appeal. Many experts recommend installing a full gutter system for maximum protection and using alternatives as supplementary measures.
The Lena, WI 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.
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.
Can’t seem to get rid of the moisture and mold in your basement? Learn why basements tend to hold moisture and how to get rid of moisture in the basement.
