The most commonly asked questions by customers

Basements leak because they are sitting in a hole below ground surrounded by disturbed soil. Over time, as rainwater saturates the soil outside your foundation walls, your basement will be at risk of water passing through and entering your home’s living space.

Sources, such as Angi, formerly Angie’s List, estimate costs to range between $2300 – $7575 with a $4920 average for waterproofing services targeting specific areas in the basement with a high end of $14,000 for full basement drainage systems. At BWN, we will provide accurate pricing for your specific basement needs.

No, interior wall coatings such as drylok cannot permanently stop water from penetrating basement walls. Drylok simply cannot form the molecular bond necessary to prevent water penetration. Science may one day accomplish this, but it has not yet.

Most waterproofing jobs can be completed in 1-3 working days.

Basement waterproofing is a specialty discipline. You will want a credentialed company with sufficient experience and capability to safely install waterproofing systems and not create unintended damage. When the unexpected arises during work, missing or broken footings, extraordinary sources of mud, and incorrect previous repairs, inexperienced waterproofers will often just cover up these situations in a rush to finish the job. Unfortunately, this often leads to repeated failure because the underlying cause is not properly addressed. BWN will disclose and correct these issues before closing your job thereby eliminating your risk for system failure.

If your basement has a musty smell, it is most likely due to the presence of mold and mildew. The actual smell is produced from mold and mildew releasing foul smelling gases when they grow. Basement moisture and excessive humidity will allow mold and mildew to thrive. The first step in eliminating that odor is often waterproofing the basement.

The most critical maintenance is making sure your sump pump is always connected to electric power and the sump basin is free of any foreign objects. All window wells, stairwell drains, and discharge pipes need to be free and clear of leaves, yard trimmings, mulch, soil and other debris. Other than that, the basic waterproofing system is designed to provide years of uninterrupted protection with little interaction from you.

Each basement has unique conditions that may require particular waterproofing services. Some basements may require an application that includes both interior and exterior services. Most homes are waterproofed using cost effective interior systems versus the more expensive exterior waterproofing approach. As part of your BWN basement inspection, we will provide you with simple to understand recommendations that will answer all your questions and concerns.

The sump pump is designed to remove collected water from a sump basin located below your basement floor. The sump pump will expel the collected water through a discharge pipe to a safe distance away from the foundation. Sump pumps turn on and off automatically and only operate when they need to pump the water.

Depending on usage and site conditions, it is generally accepted that sump pumps should be replaced at 5 years to ensure optimal performance and limit risk of interruption. Most sump pumps carry a three year manufacturer’s warranty.