When working on a deep foundation from the outside, there is a greater need for labour because there is a greater need for excavation.
In most cases, foundations are excavated to a depth of four feet below the frost line, and when they are deeper than that, window wells are installed for convenience of access. The deeper your foundation, the higher your waterproofing costs.
If something happens to your basement, the entire structure of your house could be jeopardised because it serves as the home’s foundation. Significant property damage can be caused by water seeping into the basement in a variety of ways, including hydrostatic pressure and gutters that are overflowing with water. A bit of water can cause problems in your home, such as doors that won’t open, mould, mildew, and concrete fractures, therefore waterproof your basement as soon as you can. Your requirements could change depending on the specifics of your basement. There are a variety of methods that can be used to waterproof a basement, ranging from simple damp proofing to complete waterproofing of the interior and exterior. This indicates that there is a diverse range of prices associated with it.
The costs of waterproofing a basement typically range from $3,000 to $7,000 on a national average. The typical cost to instal a French internal drain plus a sump pump in a basement that is 1,000 square feet in size is approximately $5,500. The modest cost of this job is approximately $1,000, which covers the application of a sealer to the inner walls and the repair of one fracture using epoxy. An exterior perimeter French drain, sump pump, and exterior sealer on the walls with epoxy-fixed cracks will run you approximately $10,000. This will be the most expensive component.
A significant worry shared by a large number of homeowners is the question of how to keep water or moisture out of the basement. A damp basement has repercussions not just for the space itself but also for the foundation, the walls, and the support beams of the building as a whole. In the event that mould and mildew grow, this can result in major health issues. To answer your question, how much does it cost to waterproof a basement?
It is possible to avoid a significant amount of future headache by taking preventative measures to avert flooding at the foundation, such as installing a complete seal. However, due to the complexity of the task and the risk of encountering issues, many individuals opt to hire a professional to waterproof their basements. At Hitch Property Constructions, we offer a comprehensive selection of services for waterproofing the exterior of buildings.
The waterproofing a basement is a large undertaking that requires careful planning, the sealing of the foundation, the application of a waterproofing material made of cement to the walls, the installation of a sump pump and a perimeter drain, the redirection of runoff away from the foundation, and the repair of any cracks that may have appeared.
Due to the numerous components that make up the task at hand, providing an accurate cost estimate for a basement waterproofing project can be challenging. Because it has the potential to prevent the need for more expensive work in the future, protecting a basement from moisture should be considered as an investment rather than an expense rather than viewed as an expense.
The cost of waterproofing your basement with a coating or membrane from the outside can range anywhere from $3 to $6 per square foot on average. This price typically incorporates both the cost of materials and the cost of labour. It is impossible for water to penetrate the walls of the basement because of the liquid or sheet membrane.
There are methods available for waterproofing your foundation, including the use of cement (cementitious), the installation of an outside membrane, or the installation of weeping tiles to channel any water buildup or dampness. This guide will assist you in learning the distinctions between each strategy, but it is strongly recommended that you get the advice of an experienced specialist to ensure that you are taking the appropriate actions.
The Cost of Waterproofing the Exterior of the Basement
The cost of waterproofing the exterior of your basement is between $3,000 and $15,000. When a house is being built, waterproofing the exterior of the structure is most typically done. Once the foundation has been backfilled, it is difficult, costly, and often times dangerous to get access to the area. In order to properly waterproof the outside, some excavation is required. This could be a little or a lot, and in order to maximise the effectiveness of the efforts, different forms of waterproofing are sometimes used simultaneously. Whether you are waterproofing an already-built home or a home that is still in the construction phase, the pricing will differ.
Considerations Made When Figuring Out the Price of Basement Waterproofing
Similar to the costs of other home improvement and repair projects, the cost of waterproofing a basement can vary significantly based on a wide range of factors. A significant portion of the overall money will be spent on paying the contractor to complete the project; nevertheless, in the long run, hiring someone to manage the job might mean avoiding hassles and frequently saving time.
Whether the procedure involves waterproofing the interior of the basement or the exterior of the building may have an impact on the cost of waterproofing a basement. The size is a crucial issue to take into account: A larger basement will cost more to waterproof, but it’s possible that the price per square foot would be less than it would be for a smaller basement.
Include the item in your considerations as well. The cost of some premium products will be much higher since they require application that requires a certain level of ability and expertise. Because of this, the materials utilized will have a significant impact on the overall cost of waterproofing a basement. It’s crucial to remember that some sealers are less expensive to purchase but more expensive to apply, and vice versa.
Labor
The cost of labor is one of the most significant things to consider when developing a budget for a project to waterproof a basement. Contractors are responsible for managing duties like paying bills and arranging payroll in addition to covering costs and making a profit. On the other hand, hiring a contractor takes care of all the problems and gives you some peace of mind that the project was finished properly.
If you employ a professional yourself, you might be able to waterproof your basement without a contractor’s assistance, which would help to reduce the project’s overall cost. The estimate the expert provides you will frequently already include the cost of labor.
Location
There is a considerable chance that the costs of the projects you do will be on the more reasonable end of the scale if you are fortunate enough to reside in a section of the country with a lower cost of living. The same logic applies to areas where prices are higher: Higher living expenses translate into higher company expenses. The cost of waterproofing your basement may be higher if you reside in a region with high water tables and regular floods, though.
The contractors in those areas are requesting that homeowners protect their financial interests by keeping water from entering their basements. The contractors are allowed to set much larger fees as a result. If you think it’s absurd, you should know that those contractors are in greater danger than those who work in drier climates.
A Description of the Basement’s Size and Layout
Although the size of the basement comes in a close second, the method of sealing the basement is undoubtedly the most crucial factor in determining how much it will cost to waterproof it. A larger basement will require more labor, work, and supplies as compared to a smaller basement. The room’s arrangement could also be taken into account, although it shouldn’t be given as much importance as the room’s overall size.
Comparing Internal and External Sealing
Basement wall leaks can be stopped in two places: either on the interior or exterior of the wall. The interior sealing procedure requires that the basement’s inner walls be coated with a water-resistant sealer. The process of exterior sealing necessitates digging below grade, exposing the foundation, and then covering or preserving it with a waterproof layer.
Outside sealing will always be more expensive. Human labor is more valuable than ever, and we also require more tools and time. Nonetheless, it is typically the approach that stops water from entering a basement the best.
Depending on how they are used, different types of sealant materials have a wide variety of pricing. For a relatively low cost, the interior of a basement can be painted with acrylic paint, for example. The required labor is comparable to what is required for traditional painting, and the materials are not excessively expensive.
The cost of constructing an exterior membrane to keep water out of your basement will be significantly greater. These membranes are expensive, and the adhesives used to adhere them as well as the labor and expertise needed to install them all add up to a substantial sum. Even while this is not normally a DIY endeavor, it is frequently the one that produces the finest results. We at Hitch Property Constructions offer the widest range of waterproofing services available to address any water-related issues you might be experiencing.
Things to Consider & Added Costs
There are a few additional costs that you might not be expecting that are related to waterproofing a basement, while those that are tied to the technique and labor utilized in the process are the most obvious. For example, a basement’s existing condition and the type of material employed both need to be taken into account. When a foundation is in bad shape, it needs to be fixed right away, although block wall foundations usually need more materials.
The age of the house, whether or not the basement requires any repairs, and what you can do to prevent water from entering the basement in the first place are all items you’ll need to take into consideration.
The cost of the project as a whole will be affected by each of these factors to some extent, and the more of these factors that are needed, the more expensive the project will be overall. Consideration must be given to each of them.
Foundation The Compound and the Situation
Concrete and block walls are quite durable and long-lasting, although they are not impervious to harm. There are usually large voids inside concrete blocks that might accumulate water. As a result, the builders may need to drill weep holes at the bottom, where the water will subsequently be directed into a drainage track.
No amount of waterproofing will work if the foundation is uneven, and the building may be dangerous. You must fix the walls before moving forward. Depending on how extensive the repairs will be, the cost of the foundation repair will be extra. To make sure that the foundation is waterproof, these adjustments are necessary.
The Home’s Age
The many options you have for waterproofing your basement will likely depend on the age of your property. To help anchor the foundation in the ground and distribute the weight, footers, which are essentially concrete walls that are positioned below the surface of a house, have flared “feet.” Footers were not typically used under foundations prior to the 1960s. If your house has footings, you can construct a water tunnel on top of them. A contractor will have to reach the footings in order to achieve this. Due of this, water will be able to run off the foundation wall rather than seep through it.
Repair of Cracks and Holes
A fissure (or a number of fissures) in the basement’s floor or walls is frequently the source of water and dampness in the area. Despite the fact that the walls may still be strong and sturdy, water from the outside ground seeps through those cracks, leaving your basement a muddy and soggy mess.
Before attempting to waterproof the basement, these fractures must be fixed immediately. Although DIY kits are available for users to purchase, a qualified professional may be needed to fully repair the crack.
Water Table Height
In certain cases, repairing a few cracks will be sufficient waterproofing to maintain a basement’s moisture barrier. Nonetheless, waterproofing is necessary in areas with high water tables, according to the International Residential Code, a global standard for the security of structures.
The water table is the depth below ground that the ground reaches before becoming entirely saturated with water. For a variety of reasons, a region may have a high or low water table, however managing a high water table can be rather expensive. As a result of these areas’ poor ability to drain rain or groundwater, a basement is frequently the route that water chooses to travel. Because of this, it’s probable that outside waterproofing is the sole option.
Mold
The awful result of having water in a house is mold. Mold may develop and spread easily in damp, dark, dingy, and moist basements. You can’t overlook the presence of mould in your basement if it exists because it can, of course, result in serious health issues.
If the area is quite small-less than 10 square feet, to be precise-you might be able to complete the task by yourself. If this is not the case, you will also need to account for the added cost of mold removal if it happens to be developing in your basement. Mold removal is a specialized sector that calls for professionals with the necessary training and licenses. The cost to remove mold might be anything between $1,123 to $3,326.
Water Removal from the Internal Drainage
When certain criteria are met, controlling the water is preferable to trying to waterproof the space. The greatest option for those applications could be to incorporate some inside water drainage systems. This often involves digging a shallow trench that is 6 to 8 inches wide, slopes toward a drain or a sump pump, and is only 6 to 8 inches deep.
Inside drainage is a frequent design element used in block walls. The concrete around the base of the wall was cut and removed, and weep holes were carefully drilled, allowing the water that had been contained to drain into a control channel. Either the sump pump or the actual drain will remove that water from the basement.
The Landscaping’s Grading
It’s likely that the landscaping of the homeowners is doing more harm than good, something they may not want to hear. Even if it isn’t the cause of a flooded basement, some carefully managed regrading can lessen the severity of the issue and reduce the likelihood that it will happen again in the future.
The environment around a house can help deflect water away from the foundation, preventing it from being absorbed, if it is appropriately planted. The process of waterproofing a basement can be greatly aided by this, but doing so calls for specialized engineering skills and a grasp of soils and aggregates. A typical grading assignment could cost between $971 and $2,990.
Excavation
Most of the issues or situations mentioned in the preceding paragraphs require excavation to be resolved. Regrading the landscaping, creating a water channel, or using a membrane to waterproof the building’s exterior are all operations that require both heavy machinery and skills. When estimating the entire cost of waterproofing your basement, you must include this cost even if you want to do the work yourself and hire the necessary tools.
Companies who perform excavations are instructed to do so in a way that prevents creating more issues than it solves. Additionally, they are insured, which guarantees that the corporation will bear the cost of any accidents rather than the customer.
Changes Done to the Downspout and Gutter
Several homeowners are unaware of the importance of the function that their home’s gutters serve in preventing water damage to the basement. They have situations when it is their main purpose. Without gutters, the massive amount of rain that a roof may accumulate during a thunderstorm will run off the shingles and land just a foot or so from the foundation walls. While it won’t be able to drain properly, this mixture is ideal for a wet basement.
You must must make sure that your gutters are pitched correctly and are free of debris and blockages. Water will back up over the gutter’s brim and land in front of the foundation if this is not the case. Also, the downspouts on your home must carry rainfall away from the base of your house by a minimum of 8 feet. It’s crucial to pay attention to these factors whether you decide to install drainage on the interior or exterior of your property or simply ensure that the gutters are functioning properly. The overall cost of these costs could reach several hundred dollars.
Comparing the Cost of Waterproofing to the Cost of Damp Proofing
Although the terms sound interchangeable, waterproofing and damp proofing are not the same thing. Waterproofing addresses the underlying issues that are allowing water to enter and stops those issues from occuring. It’s possible that this will need waterproofing the walls, installing a drainage system and sump pump, or some combination of the three.
The sole purpose of damp proofing is to prevent moisture from entering the building through the floors and walls. Because it does not investigate the reason why it is passing through, the cost is somewhat reduced. The cost of waterproofing ranges from $3 to $10 per square foot, whereas the cost of damp proofing is from $3 to $6 per square foot. Because damp proofing is done to a smaller percentage of the entire space, the overall cost is typically lower.
Sealant Type That Is Put To Use
There are a variety of approaches of waterproofing, some of which are more expensive than others. When deciding which course of action would yield the best results in terms of their budget, homeowners should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative.
Waterproofing using cement is a common method that can be put straight to the outer walls of a building to prevent water from entering. For cement waterproofing, property owners should anticipate spending between $1,000 and $1,500. This price range accounts for the cost of the dry cementitious solution mix, professional labour costs, and crack repair.
It is possible for the installation of a foundation waterproofing membrane to cost up to $15,000 if drainage panels and excavation are required.
As part of this operation, membranes made of laminated rubberized asphalt will be attached to the external wall. Insulation is a task that is best left to trained experts because of the complexity involved. On the other hand, this is an option that may prove to be highly long-lasting in regions that see more rainfall and have clay soil.
The use of a membrane or cement as a waterproofing option can be supplemented with or replaced with the usage of a weeping tile system. This requires positioning plastic pipes that have been pierced with holes all the way around the outer walls of the house.
The price ranges from $100 to $250, and it is dependent on the required depth of excavation as well as the accessibility of the location. Any water that makes its way inside the house travels through these pipes instead, where it is directed away from the building. This is something that can apply to crawl spaces, concrete foundations, and basements. Home facade renovations of the highest quality may be found at Hitch Property Constructions.
Silicate concrete sealers are more cost-effective than other solutions, with prices ranging from $3 to $9 per square foot for the sealers and the labour required to apply them. These sealers are designed to penetrate the walls to which they are applied, causing a chemical reaction with the concrete that increases the likelihood that the surface will remain dry. There will be no apparent change to the overall appearance of the walls as a result of this. This choice does not prevent the moisture from evaporating but rather allows it to do so.
Conclusion
The costs of waterproofing a basement typically range from $3,000 to $7,000 on a national average, with a typical cost of $5,500 for a French internal drain plus a sump pump and $10,000 for an exterior perimeter French drain, sump pump, and exterior sealer. Hitch Property Constructions offers a comprehensive selection of services for waterproofing the exterior of buildings, ranging from $3 to $6 per square foot. The cost of waterproofing a basement can vary significantly based on a variety of factors, such as size, materials, labor, and cost of labor. The cost of waterproofing a basement is determined by the size, location, and method of sealing it, with internal and external sealing being the most important factors. The cost of waterproofing a basement depends on the type of sealant materials used, the existing condition of the foundation, the type of material employed, the age of the house, whether or not the basement requires any repairs, and what you can do to prevent water from entering the basement.
Waterproofing a basement requires adjustments to the foundation, water table height, and mold to prevent water from seeping through cracks and holes, and is necessary in areas with high water tables. Mold removal is a specialized sector that requires specialized engineering skills and a grasp of soils and aggregates, and can cost between $1,123 and $3,326. Waterproofing and damp proofing are not the same thing, and waterproofing addresses the underlying issues that are allowing water to enter and stops those issues from occuring, while damp proofing involves waterproofing walls, installing a drainage system and sump pump, or some combination of the three. Damp proofing is a cost-effective way to prevent moisture from entering a building, but it can be more expensive than other methods. Silicate concrete sealers are more cost-effective than other solutions due to their ability to penetrate walls and prevent moisture from evaporating.
Content Summary
- The deeper your foundation, the higher your waterproofing costs.
- A significant worry shared by a large number of homeowners is the question of how to keep water or moisture out of the basement.
- However, due to the complexity of the task and the risk of encountering issues, many individuals opt to hire a professional to waterproof their basements.
- Due to the numerous components that make up the task at hand, providing an accurate cost estimate for a basement waterproofing project can be challenging.
- The cost of waterproofing your basement with a coating or membrane from the outside can range anywhere from $3 to $6 per square foot on average.
- The Cost of Waterproofing the Exterior of the Basement
- The cost of waterproofing the exterior of your basement is between $3,000 and $15,000.
- LaborThe cost of labor is one of the most significant things to consider when developing a budget for a project to waterproof a basement.
- If you employ a professional yourself, you might be able to waterproof your basement without a contractor’s assistance, which would help to reduce the project’s overall cost.
- The cost of waterproofing your basement may be higher if you reside in a region with high water tables and regular floods, though.
- A Description of the Basement’s Size and LayoutAlthough the size of the basement comes in a close second, the method of sealing the basement is undoubtedly the most crucial factor in determining how much it will cost to waterproof it.
- Depending on how they are used, different types of sealant materials have a wide variety of pricing.
- For a relatively low cost, the interior of a basement can be painted with acrylic paint, for example.
- The cost of constructing an exterior membrane to keep water out of your basement will be significantly greater.
- Things to Consider & Added CostsThere are a few additional costs that you might not be expecting that are related to waterproofing a basement, while those that are tied to the technique and labor utilized in the process are the most obvious.
- For example, a basement’s existing condition and the type of material employed both need to be taken into account.
- No amount of waterproofing will work if the foundation is uneven, and the building may be dangerous.
- Depending on how extensive the repairs will be, the cost of the foundation repair will be extra.
- To make sure that the foundation is waterproof, these adjustments are necessary.
- The Home’s AgeThe many options you have for waterproofing your basement will likely depend on the age of your property.
- The awful result of having water in a house is mold.
- If this is not the case, you will also need to account for the added cost of mold removal if it happens to be developing in your basement.
- Most of the issues or situations mentioned in the preceding paragraphs require excavation to be resolved.
- When estimating the entire cost of waterproofing your basement, you must include this cost even if you want to do the work yourself and hire the necessary tools.
- Changes Done to the Downspout and GutterSeveral homeowners are unaware of the importance of the function that their home’s gutters serve in preventing water damage to the basement.
- You must must make sure that your gutters are pitched correctly and are free of debris and blockages.
- It’s crucial to pay attention to these factors whether you decide to install drainage on the interior or exterior of your property or simply ensure that the gutters are functioning properly.
- Comparing the Cost of Waterproofing to the Cost of Damp ProofingAlthough the terms sound interchangeable, waterproofing and damp proofing are not the same thing.
- The sole purpose of damp proofing is to prevent moisture from entering the building through the floors and walls.
- The cost of waterproofing ranges from $3 to $10 per square foot, whereas the cost of damp proofing is from $3 to $6 per square foot.
- Because damp proofing is done to a smaller percentage of the entire space, the overall cost is typically lower.
- Sealant Type That Is Put To UseThere are a variety of approaches of waterproofing, some of which are more expensive than others.
- For cement waterproofing, property owners should anticipate spending between $1,000 and $1,500.
- The use of a membrane or cement as a waterproofing option can be supplemented with or replaced with the usage of a weeping tile system.
- This requires positioning plastic pipes that have been pierced with holes all the way around the outer walls of the house.
- This is something that can apply to crawl spaces, concrete foundations, and basements.
- Home facade renovations of the highest quality may be found at Hitch Property Constructions.
- Silicate concrete sealers are more cost-effective than other solutions, with prices ranging from $3 to $9 per square foot for the sealers and the labour required to apply them.
FAQs About Home Renovation
How Do You Waterproof The Outside Of A Foundation?
- 1 – Excavate the ground around the perimeter of the foundations. …
- 2 – Seal all cracks in the concrete. …
- 3 – Attach a waterproofing membrane to the outside of the foundation. …
- 4 – Backfill the trench dug around the foundations.
How Much Is Waterproof Membrane?
Bathroom waterproofing can cost as little as $40 per square metre, but that is the low end of the scale. In general, expect to pay between $500 and $750 to completely waterproof an average sized bathroom.
Should You Waterproof Your Foundation?
The best waterproofing for concrete walls protects the foundation from soil and liquid moisture. To optimize protection, apply waterproofing systems to all foundation walls with earth on one side and usable space on the other (including crawl spaces).
Can You Diy Waterproofing?
DIY options do exist, but there are some caveats. In Queensland and NSW, you can only do your own waterproofing if you’re licensed to do so (i.e. the work must be done by someone with a licence).
How Long Do Waterproof Membranes Last?
Ten Years: While basic waterproofing membranes should last at least ten years, they can last much longer given the right choice and circumstances. Conversely, poor quality waterproofing will rarely last the distance.
