What foundation Waterproofing covers
Foundation waterproofing stops ground water entering through a foundation wall. Treating it externally is more effective than internally, because it stops water before it reaches the structure rather than managing it once it is already there.
Foundation waterproofing stops ground water entering through a foundation wall. Treating it externally is more effective than internally, because it stops water before it reaches the structure rather than managing it once it is already there.
Keeping ground water out of a foundation wall, ideally from the outside where the pressure is.
Waystar carries out this work on residential and commercial property in Brooklyn and across New York City. Every project starts with a look at the building, and the scope, the materials and the figures are written down before anything begins.
When might you need it?
These are the signs owners usually notice first.
- Water seeping through a foundation wall after heavy rain
- Damp along the base of a wall at floor level
- Efflorescence forming on the inside face of the foundation
- Ground that slopes back towards the building
- A wall that stays cold and damp all year
What the work involves
- Survey of ground levels, drainage and the water route
- Excavation to expose the foundation wall where access allows
- Wall cleaned, defects repaired and surface prepared
- Waterproof membrane or coating applied to the outside face
- Protection board and drainage layer installed
- Backfill and ground levels reinstated to fall away from the building
How the process works
Work out where the water comes from
Ground levels and surface drainage explain most foundation damp before anything is dug.
Expose the wall
External treatment needs access, and whether that is possible shapes the whole approach.
Waterproof and protect
Membrane, protection board and a drainage layer go on as one system.
Reinstate the ground
Backfill and levels are set to fall away from the building rather than towards it.
What you get
- Water stopped outside the structure rather than managed inside
- Drainage that carries water away instead of holding it against the wall
- A dry foundation wall and a usable space behind it
What affects the scope
- Whether external excavation is possible at all
- Depth of the foundation and the volume of excavation
- Proximity of neighbouring structures and services
- Whether drainage needs installing as well as membrane
This is a preliminary planning range, not a quote. A property visit is required before any price is confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be done from inside instead?
It can be managed from inside with tanking or a cavity drain system. That controls water rather than excluding it, and it is the right answer when external access is impossible.
Do I need an engineer?
Sometimes, particularly where excavation is deep or close to neighbouring structures. We will tell you when that is the case rather than proceeding without one.
How disruptive is it?
External work means excavation, so it is disruptive outside. Inside the building usually stays usable throughout.
Services often needed alongside this
This service is part of Waterproofing.
Related work
