Basement water comes from three places. It can seep through walls or floor from the soil, flow in from the surface, or back up from a drain or sewer. Each needs a different fix.
We handle the plumbing and drainage side. Call (440) 468-0237 to talk through your basement. For active flooding, see sump pump repair.
Find the source before you fix it
Water at wall base
Often groundwater or surface water pushing against the foundation.
Water at floor cracks
Hydrostatic pressure from soil water below the slab.
Water from floor drain
A sewer or drain backup, not groundwater.
Dampness only in summer
Humidity condensing on cool walls, not a leak.
Misdiagnosis wastes money. A dehumidifier does not fix a sewer backup, and a backwater valve does not stop groundwater.
What waterproofing can include
Plumbing and drainage side
- Sump pit and pump
- Interior drain tile
- Downspout discharge
- Backwater valve on the sanitary line
Structural and surface side
- Foundation crack sealing
- Exterior excavation and membrane
- Grading and gutters
- Window well work
We do the left column. A foundation or masonry specialist handles the right. We tell you when that is needed.
Downspouts, grading and the city code
North Olmsted code forbids connecting roof downspouts or foundation drains to the sanitary sewer. The city has a chapter on grading and surface water drainage, and its Engineering Department offers a backwater valve permit and dye test.
Discharging roof water several feet from the house is often the cheapest fix. Check gutters, extensions and the slope of soil near the foundation.
Sump pumps and drain tile
A sump with a good pump and a drain tile loop inside the footing is the most common interior system. The tile collects water and carries it to the pit.
The pump must be sized for the flow and have a battery backup if outages occur during storms. If your pump is old or noisy, see the repair page for replacement.
Backwater valves and sewer backup
A backwater valve sits on the sanitary line and closes if sewage flows backward. The city requires owners to consult a licensed professional, a cleanout on each side and a documented sketch.
It does not help with groundwater. Ask us about it if a floor drain has backed up in storms. For sanitary cleaning, see drain cleaning.
Waterproof flooring and finishing
If you plan to finish the basement, solve the water first. Waterproof flooring like vinyl plank or tile resists moisture but does not stop it.
Fix the source, then choose flooring. Keep the floor drain accessible and the sump pit covered.
Ask the right questions
Before you hire anyone for waterproofing, ask what causes the water, how the fix addresses it and what happens in a storm. A good answer names the cause.
We would rather tell you a gutter extension is the fix than sell a system you do not need.
Dampness, mold and real leaks are different problems
A musty basement is not always leaking. Warm humid air that meets cool concrete leaves water on the wall in summer. A dehumidifier fixes that. A leak shows up after rain, at specific spots, and does not change with humidity.
Mold is a separate issue from plumbing. If you see growth, a mold specialist handles removal. We fix the water source so it does not return.
A realistic timeline
A downspout extension or a pump replacement can be done in hours. An interior drain tile system takes several days because concrete must be cut and patched. Exterior work takes longer still and depends on weather.
Ask for the schedule and the cleanup plan before work starts. A clear plan avoids a torn-up basement for weeks.
What to check yourself first
- Gutters free of leaves and downspouts that discharge several feet from the foundation.
- Soil that slopes away from the house, not toward it.
- A sump pit that is covered, with a pump that runs when you lift the float.
- Window wells that drain and are free of debris.
These checks cost little. If they do not solve the problem, call and describe when the water appears.
Codes that touch a wet basement
Waterproofing crosses several rules. Section 1339.01 of the North Olmsted code requires a cover on a sump pump pit, and Section 911.07(j) bars downspouts and footing drains from the sanitary sewer. Any new discharge line or backwater valve is plumbing work under the 2024 Ohio Plumbing Code, which builds on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC).
Ask the Building Division at 5200 Dover Center Road whether your project needs a permit, and keep your drawings and receipts for a future buyer or insurer.
What affects the price of basement waterproofing
What drives the cost of basement drainage work
You get the figure first and the repair second. Costs vary widely between a downspout fix and a full interior system. Insurance seldom covers seepage. We can price it by phone first. Call (440) 468-0237.
Wet basement again?
Call and describe where water shows and when. We will help trace it.
Questions about basement waterproofing
We handle the plumbing and drainage side. For wall sealing or exterior membrane work we say so and suggest a specialist.
Rain raises groundwater and surface runoff. Downspouts, grading, a failing sump or a backup are the common causes.
It handles groundwater that reaches the pit. It will not stop surface water or sewer backup.
If your floor drain has backed up in storms, yes. It only addresses sanitary backup.
It will survive moisture better but does not solve the source. Fix the water first.
Questions? Call (440) 468-0237.