Estimating Exterior Basement Waterproofing Cost

A big headache for homeowners is when an estimate of the basement waterproofing cost needs to be determined because damages caused by various water-related incidences are seen on the basement area. These damages include water starting to accumulate at the basement due to poor drainage, leakages on walls and floorings are visible caused by standing water from heavy rainfall and dampening of structure walls and pipes caused by poor ventilation. The repair to these damages is to waterproof the basement area.

Determining how much is the basement waterproofing cost could get expensive and complicated.  There are various evaluations that need to be done on the areas affected as well as other factors contributing to the damage. The first step to do is to determine the water problem in the area that is causing the problem.  

Basement Water Damage

One problem is when moisture starts to build-up in the basement caused by condensation, seepage and leaks. Poor ventilation in the area would result in the dampening of the walls and pipes within the basement area. This is condensation. There is also the problem when drainage is not done well at the exterior of the structure during a heavy rainfall and causes water to rise. This is seepage. Another effect of heavy rains is standing water or formation of puddles that could cause the floors and foundation walls to crack. These are leaks. Each of these damages has concrete structural solutions. Costing for each repair differ depending on the severity of the damage. 

Repairs and Cost for Basement Water Damage

For the problem on condensation due to poor ventilation, heat and air conditioning may ease the problem.  The water pipes should be properly insulated. There should be a heavy-duty dehumidifier running in the area to help lessen the dampness.  The cost for insulating the pipes and purchasing a good quality dehumidifier could run from $50 to $300. If there is heating and air conditioning work to be done to the area, the cost will definitely increase. 

For the second damage involving inadequate water drainage, waterproofing may not even be the process to be performed as the solution may just be simple. The gutters and downspouts should be inspected to ensure that it is kept free of any items that could cause clogging. The ground should also slope away from the house by its foundation.  The cost for the repair of the gutter would be over $200. The cost would increase if the foundation slope needs more rock or dirt refill. 

The third damage and considered the most expensive is repairing basement leaks. Repairs to leaks must be handled by a professional especially waterproofing the basement since this is a complicated procedure to do.  The cost for minor leak repairs and applying sealants to basement walls is about $350. Installation of drains and sump pumps for drainage purposes could be $1000 to $2500.  For more serious problems which would need extensive outdoor drainage system as well as some foundation repairs, the cost could be $2500 to $12000.