How much does it cost to seal a basement?

This guide will explain the breakdown of the average basement waterproofing cost.

How Much Does It Cost To Waterproof A Basement?

Going by recent statistics, about 60% of homes in the United States experience wet basement problems. These problems could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix.

However, this all depends on the specific problem and the size of the area you’re planning to fix.

  • Basement Seepage Repair Cost

For the fact you’re reading this article, it is safe to assume you wish to waterproof your basement, but you’re not entirely sure how much it’ll cost you.

If that’s the case, then you’re in luck. In this article, we’ll be discussing basement waterproofing costs in detail.

Keep reading!

Why You Should Waterproof Your Basement

Leaking or damp basements can do some real damage to the overall structure of your building. This in turn would mean a drop in the value of your property and create a relatively unsafe place to live in.

Excessive moisture can also bring about mold formation and bacteria. Both of these have proven to be health hazards that can spike health problems like asthma.

If you hope to avoid these complications, which we’re sure you do, then it is of utmost importance that you waterproof your basement.

That being said, you wouldn’t want to go in blind, so assessing the problem and figuring out how much the job would cost should be among the first steps you take.

Let’s take a look at the averages.

Estimated Cost Of Basement Waterproofing

Going by industry estimates, waterproofing your basement would pinch between $1,900 to $6,500 from your wallet. If the job is very extensive, then you could spend as much as $10,000 on waterproofing.

If it’s a minor fix, you probably wouldn’t spend that much. A sum of around $600 should do the trick.

You may be wondering why the huge gap in prices, as there’s quite some distance between $600 and $10,000. These all depend on the unique variables that influence the bill.

Let’s briefly examine these variables that influence the cost of waterproofing your basement. With these in mind, you can determine on average how much you will need to part with.

Estimating The Cost Of Waterproofing Your Basement

Among the factors that influence the cost of basement waterproofing include the size of the basement, what the main issue is, and the items or expertise you will need to fix it.

Here’s how you can estimate the cost.

  1. Determine where the problem originates from

Before you can draw up a budget, you will need to first know exactly what you’re dealing with. If you can’t determine the source of the problem, then you can’t come up with an accurate budget.

Here are a few causes of moisture in your basement.

  • Poorly installed downpipes
  • Missing gutters or downpipes
  • Drying a huge amount of wet laundry
  • Leaking pipes
  • Cracks in your foundation
  • Poorly graded slopes around your building
  • Poorly made window wells
  • Groundwater

The moment you can determine the root causes, you can have a fair idea of how much it would cost you to fix them.

  1. Understand the various solutions

For each cause of moisture, there are different solutions you can apply. Some fixes may even require a combination of two or more solutions. And this all depends on the extent to which dampness has consumed your basement.

Here are some of the possible solutions.

Using dehumidifiers: For minor dampness issues, you can use a dehumidifier to solve the problem. You can buy one from a store near you, and it can be used to treat small amounts of basement moisture.

Dehumidifiers will cost you between $1,200 to $2,000 to install.

For more severe moisture issues, you will need a more thorough solution.

It is worth mentioning that using a humidifier to fix a moisture issue that comes from the exterior can worsen the problem.

Drying out the air inside the basement can draw more water through the walls, and this can lead to concrete spalling, efflorescence, and other problems with your interior finishing.

Use Waterproofing products: Waterproofing products can serve as a quick solution to dampness in your basement.

There are several brands of waterproofing paints and sealants you can buy to do the trick. These products can be applied over your basement’s interior and are effective in preventing moisture from creeping through your basement walls.

The simplicity of this solution reflects very well how much it will cost you. Between $30 to $200 should be enough for cans of paint, as well as labor cost.

This solution is great, but it only keeps the moisture out of your basement, but not out of the wall’s interior. For this reason, you should combine this solution with other moisture prevention methods.

Install your gutters and downpipes the right way: Poorly installed, damaged, or missing downpipes and gutters will cause all the water coming from your roof to trickle into your building’s foundation, and into your basement.

The cost of installing new downpipes or gutters will range anywhere between $500 to $1,400. Though this depends on the size of your home.

If there’s already a gutter system installed, then all you need to do is fix the damages. This won’t cost you as much as the figures above. Expect to spend between $50 to $200, and this also depends on the severity of the damage.

Install window and well drains: If the cause of the dampness in your basement is poorly designed window wells, then a quick fix would be to install window drains.

A window drain system will cost between $500 to $2,500. That’s a decent amount of money to part with, but it is a very effective solution.

Grading your lawn: A garden lawn that slopes towards the direction of your home can channel water into the foundation and then into the basement.

A simple solution to this is to grade the lawn to a leveled surface so the moisture can remain stagnant, instead of gliding towards your basement. Re-sloping our lawn would cost around $800 to $3,000.

A lot of people may not want to do this because it can change the face of the lawn, but it’s much better than having a soaked-up basement.

Then again, a professional landscaping service will get the job done right so you have nothing to worry about.

This is not the most effective stand-alone solution, so you need to back it up with other water preventive measures.

Install a French drain: An exterior French drain system can work well against moisture. This is used to channel incoming water away before it reaches the basement.

They should be installed around the perimeter of your building for the best results. This will cost you around $1,300 per 50 feet. 

The good news is, you can equally install the drains within the basement. But be prepared to pay a few extra hundred dollars for it.

Install a sump pump:  Installing a basement sump pump system costs between $500 to $1,000. This figure is largely dependent on the number of pumps you will need.

Repairing cracked foundations: If you have cracks in your foundation that allow water to creep through, then they will need to be fixed.

This should cost you between $400 to $1,000. This depends on the number of cracks you’re dealing with, and the type of materials you want to use.

Basement Waterproofing Cost Per Linear Foot

Basement waterproofing costs per linear foot are also dependent on several factors. These include the severity of the damage, the waterproofing materials being used, and the wages you will pay the workers.

Nonetheless, we can give you some estimates based on current industry standards.

For exterior basement waterproofing per linear foot, you should expect to spend between $100 to $300. While for interior basement waterproofing, you will spend around $70 to $20 per linear foot.

Basement Waterproofing Average Cost Per Square Foot

The cost of basement waterproofing per square foot ranges between $3 to $9.

The exact amount you will pay depends on the quality of materials being used for waterproofing, as well as the service charges of the workers.

Speaking of service charges, it would be wise to find a reputable contractor to handle the job. Indeed, the more renowned experts will likely charge more, but it will all be worth it since they’ll do a great job.

Remember, basement waterproofing should be taken seriously, and you don’t want to pay a quack to do the job, only to re-do it again after some time due to a poor job done in the first place.

Average Cost To Repair Basement Leak [Industry Rates]

Here is the cost to fix a leaky basement.

Leaks are among major structural problems that could lead to rapid deterioration when not quickly addressed. The most vulnerable section of the home where such leaks occur in the basement.

How Much Does Basement Leaking Repair Cost?

When a leak is noticed, urgent fixes need to be made to prevent the problem from worsening.

This section discusses repair costs incurred when carrying out maintenance.

So, are you seeking to call a pro to fix your leaky basement? You might want to first determine the cost implications of the project before going ahead.

This is necessary to enable you to budget adequately for the basement waterproofing procedure.

The Leaky Condition of our Basement will Impact Eventual Costs

When it comes to basement leaks, conditions usually vary. Speaking of varying conditions, you could pay as little as $100 to top-dollar rates for the same procedure.

This largely depends on how leaky your basement is. There are times when leaks become so bad that they require more extensive repairs.

Under such situations, it’s logical to expect significant charges or estimates from repair contractors. Sometimes, a basement leak you consider minor might turn out to be much worse than initially assumed.

This is likely to be the case when you call a professional technician to assess the situation.

Basement Leak Repair Costs

When it comes to basement leaks, a variety of scenarios might play out.

Repairs or fixes are carried out according to the level of damage involved. Cost estimations will normally follow the rate of damage involved.

The type of fixes provided will be determined by the type of leak determined.

Possible fixes include crack stabilization, window well drain installation, sump pump installation, exterior foundation crack repair, as well as form tie leak repairs, etc.

Let’s briefly have a look at the different leak-related scenarios in the basement and how much it’s likely to take to fix such problems.

  • Crack Stabilization Costs

One of the processes involved in fixing basement repairs is crack stabilization.

Here, the basement contractor looks out for cracks around the basement through which water seeps. Crack stabilization is a type of fix offered to resolve the problem.

The procedure is likely to cost between $75 and $300 per crack.

  • Exterior Crack Repair Costs

There are cases when basement leaks arise from external cracks in the foundation. When left unchecked, water easily leaks through these cracks into the basement.

The cost of repair for such falls within the range of $800 to $1,500 per crack.

  • Sump Pump Installation Costs

As part of fixing a leaky basement, the need for installing a sump pump might be necessary. The type of action taken is largely determined by professional advice.

Installing a basic submersible with liner will cost between $900 and $1,750. This provision helps take care of flooding or water collecting in the sump pit.

  • Window Well Drain Installation Costs

Window well drain installation costs range from $950 to $1,450.

This is the cost per window well. To have an idea of the cost amount incurred, you’ll have to multiply the cost by the window wells being provided.

  • Form Tie Leak Repair Costs

This is another possible type of fix that might be provided during basement waterproofing. Also called tie-hole leak repairs, fixing such is likely to cost anywhere from $25 to $175 per hole.

There may be discounts based on the number of holes being fixed.

  • Cost of Fixing Foundation Cracks

Some leak situations in the basement can be tied or traced to cracks in the foundation.

When it involves poured concrete foundations, fixes might require crack injection plug such leaks. The procedure typically costs between $350 and $800 per crack.

So, to have a fair idea of how much it will cost to fix a basement leak arising from foundation cracks, you’ll have to multiply the number of cracks by the cost given above.

  • Weeping Tile Flushing Repair Costs

Weeping tile flush repair is a type of fix for basement leaks that’s mostly focused on the external sections of the basement. In other words, it’s a type of external basement waterproofing that costs between $650 and $900 to perform.

  • Excavation Costs

When fixing a leaky basement, access to the exterior sections might be required.

For this to be possible, some form of excavation will be necessary. This may require the removal of air conditioning unit(s) as well as reinstallation which will cost around $500.

Other actions to be taken might include a fence, deck, and driveway removal. Patio removal may also be necessary.

These will have to be returned in place after the repair procedure.

Factors Affecting Basement Leak Repair Costs

When it comes to providing fixes to leaky basements, you’ll have to figure out the factors involved. Quite a number of these factors influence basement leak repairs.

They include the company hired for the job, as well as adherence to workplace safety practices.

Other factors include the level of specialization of the company, insurance provisions, as well as the level of input in terms of supplies used for the project.

Your location also counts, in addition to the skill and expertise of employees. Let’s take a look at some of these.

  • Company Hired for the Job

When seeking solutions to your basement leak problems, you want to call in the pros. The home waterproofing industry is highly competitive with lots of players.

The level of competence influences the cost of treatment or repair. It’s important to go with the best service provider.

  • Level of Specialization of the Company

What’s the level of specialization of the company you’re hiring? Is the company categorized as a general contractor or as a waterproofing contractor?

You should deal with a waterproofing contractor as such tend to be more specialized in providing basement waterproofing services.

  • Location

The market demand is mostly influenced by your location.

Certain locations are considered to be more lucrative to doing business than others. There’s also the economic angle which plays a huge role in determining repair costs.

Having a general idea of basement leak repair costs requires reading through the details provided above.

With the knowledge obtained, you can easily figure out how to go about the budgeting process and who to call for the project.

Conclusion

A damp or moist basement can be caused by many factors.

These include cracks in the foundation, leaking pipes, poorly graded slopes, and drying a large amount of laundry constantly.

This is why waterproofing your basement is very important.

However, the cost of doing so varies according to the cause of the problem, the size of the basement, the materials you will need to waterproof, and labor charges.

We hope this article has given you a fair idea of how much you will likely spend to waterproof your basement.

Thanks for reading and good luck!

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