Frequently Asked Questions about Basement Waterproofing

Why should I care about basement waterproofing?

A wet basement might seem like a small problem, but it can lead to much bigger ones. A leaking basement, or a basement that generates a lot of moisture, can attract toxic black mold or cause structural damage to your home’s foundation.

A leaky basement also runs the risk of soaking any belongings you store there, increasing the risk of black mold. Basement waterproofing can stabilize your home’s property value and provide great peace of mind. Visit our basement waterproofing page for more information.

What are the signs of a basement leak?

Leaking basements offer a few obvious indicators, like pools of water on the floor or water trickling down the walls. But there are several other ways water damage can show itself as well:

  • A rapid increase in mold or mildew
  • Musty odors
  • Damp spots on the walls or floor
  • A white, chalky substance on the walls
  • Cracks in the walls or floor
  • Peeling paint or bubbling wallpaper
  • Rust on appliances or other metal objects
  • Dry rot
  • Warped paneling or wood
What causes a leaking basement?

Water can seep into your basement through cracks in the walls or floor, but there are plenty of other places it can break through. Look for weak spots around your basement, such as mortar joints (spaces between bricks or concrete blocks) tie rods that reinforce masonry, the junctures where the walls meet the floor (known as a “cove joint”), the top of your home’s foundation, or window wells. Water can also come from leaky plumbing.

What may contribute to my mold and/or basement waterproofing problem?

Commonly, wet basements occur in homes that lie in low-level areas at the bottoms of slopes or hills, but the everyday shifting or settling of your home may also cause leakage. Other potential causes may be poorly-mixed foundation concrete or improperly designed drainage systems. New swimming pools or home additions (whether in your yard or a neighbor’s) may also cause problems.

What kind of basement waterproofing can I do on my own?

The best way to keep water our of your basement is to keep it away from your home’s foundation, and there are several ways to do this. Keep the ground around your house sloped away from it, and free from shrubbery or plants that might prevent sunlight from drying out the soil. Install gutters and downspouts, keeping them regularly clean of debris, and make sure they drain well away from the foundation (either by piping it underground or extending the gutters away from your home). Keep your home’s window wells covered so they don’t collect water.

How do the professionals at Rightway determine what is causing my basement leak?

Whether you’ve got wet basement walls, an obvious leak, black mold or some other problem, our representative will be qualified to assess it. He’ll give you a free, on-the-spot verbal recommendation regarding your problem, and how it can be addressed. We’ll follow up that verbal recommendation with a written proposal.

Why would my drainage system need a battery backup?

Sump pumps are electrically powered, and sometimes need battery backups. Trust us: A rainstorm that’s strong enough to cut your electrical power is definitely the kind of storm you’ll need a battery backup sump pump for. This pump is powered by a marine battery and is in addition to your primary pump. It will also come in handy if your primary pump fails-the battery backup pump will serve as the main pump until you can service the primary pump.

What will it cost to solve my black mold or basement waterproofing problem?

Ultimately, the price will depend on the solution. Standard system installations, like French drains and exterior gravity systems, are priced by the foot. Installations of backup pumps, dehumidifiers,  and other features may also affect the total cost of your job.

Do your basement waterproofing installers have the expertise to do the job right?

Absolutely.  Our company is a member of the Basement Health Association (BHA formerly NAWSRC). We are Certified Waterproofing Specialists (CWS) through the BHA as well! The owner of the company is a “CMRS-Council Certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor” through the “American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). You can find more information about this accreditation here .  All of our employees receive extensive initial training, as well as continuous field training throughout the year. Most of our installers have been doing this kind of work for a long time, and as a company we do nothing but solve problems related to basement moisture. We’ve been correcting basement waterproofing problems similar to yours since 1987.

 

 

Thinking about Selling your Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware home?

Because buyers view your home with a wet basement as a “fixer-upper,” they will pay you on average 10% less-that’s if they buy it at all!

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Hear What Our Customers Are Saying!

John and Barbara Vicich

“We wanted to thank you for your personal and specialized attention to the water problem we had in our basement. You took the time to inspect the whole situation and gave us recommendations, all of which worked. You had a way of explaining the process and materials that would be used in a way that we understood. We are very pleased with the work that was done and would highly recommend your company to anyone.”

-John and Barbara Vicich

Debbie, Berwyn

“The day after Hurricane Irene, all of my neighbors basements were filled with water, while mine remained dry! It is wonderful, everything remains dry and the battery backup worked beautifully when my power was out for 2 days. Dry AND quiet, thank you, thank you! Thanks! Debbie, Berwyn”

-Debbie, Berwyn

Doug Smith, Glenside

“All I have to say is that Hurricane Irene was no match for the job that Rightway did for my basement and my father-in-law’s. I had my basement done 5 years ago and we are still bone dry and my father-inlaw’s was done last year and another dry basement… Great job! I highly recommend them for waterproofing and mold remediation.”

-Doug Smith, Glenside

Luke

“I’d highly recommend these guys for your basement. My basement has been dry since they installed a sump pump and French drain in June. They offer a competitive price, they get the job done quickly and they stand by their work. Please mention my name if you proceed down the road with these guys.”

-Luke

Angelo and Sandra Patiri

“We had our basement waterproofed with Rightway Waterproofing in 2007, after all this time and just getting through Hurricane Irene, we did not get a drop of water in our basement. Rightway Waterproofing did a very good job and we are very satisfied!”

-Angelo and Sandra Patiri