in Portland OR and Vancouver WA areas
Waterproofing for the Exterior of Your Basement
Have you noticed moisture seeping into your basement? Many homeowners opt to waterproof their basements from the interior only to realize the moisture problems haven’t gone away. The experts at Masonry Waterproofing, and Drainage Masters can solve this problem with exterior basement waterproofing services.
Basement moisture can quickly add up and lead to all kinds of issues, from structural weaknesses to poor indoor air quality. To help prevent these problems and more, contact us today. We provide exterior basement waterproofing in Portland, Vancouver, and the surrounding area.
What Is Exterior Basement Waterproofing?
Exterior basement waterproofing is the process of installing drainage solutions and sealants on the exterior of your home to prevent water from penetrating your foundation or leaking into your basement.
Especially with how rainy it is here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s crucial to work with a qualified professional who can examine your property and create a customized solution that will divert water away and help you prevent serious damage.
Why Choose Us for Exterior Basement Waterproofing?
- Local Waterproofing Experts: We’re a locally owned and operated waterproofing company with locations in Portland, Milwaukie, and Battle Ground.
- 18 Years of Experience: With two decades of excellence, our team will get you the best solution for your waterproofing needs.
- Fast and Reliable Service: When you need service, you need service right away – not next month. We always strive to provide prompt and dependable service.
- Licensed, Bonded, and Insured: We’re fully licensed and insured, so you get peace of mind your property is protected.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Our customers are covered by our “Dry Guarantee”. Our extensive experience, along with our unwillingness to compromise on quality, means we can offer a waterproof guarantee that will give you high-quality performance for years to come.
Need an Estimate for
Contact us now to schedule your in-person consultation!What Are the Steps of Waterproofing a Basement Exterior?
To waterproof the exterior of a house, you need to focus on several key areas: the foundation, walls, and drainage systems. This process typically involves applying waterproof coatings, installing proper drainage systems, and addressing any existing cracks or vulnerabilities in the structure.
Persistent moisture issues lead to costly repairs and potential health hazards. Without proper waterproofing, water can seep through tiny cracks and pores in the building materials, causing damage over time.
Step 1. Excavation
- The perimeter of the foundation is dug out down to the footing (the concrete base that supports your foundation wall). This requires heavy machinery or manual digging, creating a trench roughly 3 to 4 feet wide to give workers room to operate safely.
Step 2. Prep and Repair
- The exposed concrete wall is thoroughly washed to remove dirt and loose debris. The crew inspects the wall for voids, defects, or structural issues, then patches all cracks with hydraulic cement to create a smooth, continuous surface.
Step 3. Adding a Waterproof Membrane
- An elastomeric liquid coating or heavy-duty rubberized asphalt sheet membrane is applied directly to the concrete wall. Unlike standard damp-proofing paint, this flexible waterproofing membrane bridges small cracks and completely seals out hydrostatic pressure.
- Then a dimpled plastic drainage mat is secured over the membrane. This creates an air gap and a clear path, allowing trickling groundwater to drop straight down to the base instead of sitting against the wall.
Step 4. Replacing the Weeping Tile
- The old, clogged clay or plastic drain pipes at the base are removed. A new perforated pipe—called a weeping tile or footing drain—is laid alongside the footing, sloped toward an outlet (like a sump pump or gravity drain). It is then covered with a thick layer of washed gravel and wrapped in filter fabric to prevent dirt from clogging it.
Step 5. Backfilling and Grading
- The trench is carefully backfilled with excavated soil, compacting it in layers to prevent future settling. Finally, the top layers are graded so the ground slopes away from the house, directing rainwater runoff away from the foundation.
Is Exterior Waterproofing Worth it?
If you’ve been having moisture issues with your basement, yes, exterior waterproofing is absolutely worth the investment. You’ll be protecting your home’s foundation and preventing costly damage in the long run.
You might be tempted to resort to temporary fixes like applying sealants from the interior or using dehumidifiers. While these methods can provide some relief, they often fail to address the root cause like exterior waterproofing does.
Exterior waterproofing can help protect your home from the many risks of excess basement moisture, including:
- Structural Weakening: Water penetrates the porous concrete. During winter, it freezes and expands, causing cracks, flaking, and eventual structural bowing or buckling from constant water pressure.
- Concrete Mineral Leaching: Water dissolves the binding minerals inside the foundation. This leaves behind white, powdery salt deposits (efflorescence) and slowly degrades the concrete’s strength over time.
- Toxic Mold & Health Hazards: Persistent moisture triggers mold and mildew growth. Due to the stack effect (air rising through the house), up to 50% of the air you breathe on the upper floors originates in the basement, spreading allergens and spores.
- Rotting Wood Framework: High humidity levels cause wooden support beams, floor joists, and subflooring to warp, rot, and lose structural integrity.
- Destroyed Living Spaces: Moisture migrating through walls will ruin insulation, warp drywall, buckle flooring, and destroy stored personal belongings.
- Tanked Property Value: Unresolved water issues are major red flags during home inspections, often forcing sellers to slash prices or pay for expensive emergency repairs to close a deal.
For more information, check out our article >> Should I Waterproof My Basement?
Call Today for an Estimate on Exterior Basement Waterproofing Solutions
Waterproofing your basement from the exterior of the home is the more expensive solution, but it is an effective fix for a serious problem. We guarantee our work and take time to make sure all leaks are handled right the first time. The costs of not taking care of a severe water leak in your basement can run into thousands of dollars.
Call Masonry Waterproofing, and Drainage Masters today if you suspect you have an exterior foundation problem that is causing water to leak into your basement space. We perform thorough inspections to create custom solutions, and all of our work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We handle waterproofing needs for Portland residents.
Back to Basement Waterproofing ContractorsFAQs About Exterior Basement Waterproofing
A waterproof membrane is a thin, impermeable layer applied to the exterior of your foundation walls to create a barrier against water infiltration. This durable coating is designed to withstand hydrostatic pressure and prevent moisture from seeping through your basement walls. Damp or wet basements can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and decreased property value. Without proper protection, your basement is vulnerable to water intrusion, especially during heavy rainfall or when snow melts.
Typically, waterproof membranes are applied as part of a comprehensive exterior waterproofing system. This process often involves excavating the soil around your foundation, cleaning and preparing the wall surface, and then applying the membrane using specialized equipment.
Particularly in rainy climates, basement waterproofing is crucial – but it can be difficult to know whether you need exterior or interior basement waterproofing.
Failing to protect your foundation could lead to heavy water infiltration, which may damage the structural integrity of your home from the ground up.
Water in your basement could also lead to serious health consequences as a result of mold growth, which can become severe after just a few days. A few drainage pipes, repairs, and sealants can help you avoid serious and costly problems later down the road.
The first thing our waterproofing specialists will look for is obvious signs of damage to your foundation on the exterior of the home. Fixing these is a necessary step in keeping water out of your basement.
Waterproofing basement walls from the outside often requires the use of heavy equipment to dig a trench along the side of the home that is experiencing water leaks. A water barrier material and a drain pipe system that helps carry excess water away from the foundation can be added to keep your basement dry.
The best waterproofing method for exterior walls can involve a combination of techniques, including the application of waterproof membranes, installation of drainage mats, and the use of crystalline waterproofing compounds. These methods work together to create a robust barrier against water infiltration. Incorrect application or choosing the wrong method can lead to continued water issues and wasted investment.
So consult with waterproofing experts who can assess the specific needs of your home. We at Masonry Waterproofing, and Drainage Masters consider factors such as soil type, climate, and the condition of your existing structure to recommend the most effective solution.
With both types of basement waterproofing, you’re installing a seal that’s designed to keep moisture out. The biggest difference is where that seal is coming from.
With interior basement waterproofing, the seal is installed on the inside. With exterior basement waterproofing, it’s installed — you guessed it — on the outside.
It all comes down to where the moisture is coming from (which can be hard to tell sometimes) and what your budget is. Interior waterproofing is a more budget-friendly solution – and can solve the problem in many cases. But if you have a high level of moisture getting inside from the outside, exterior basement waterproofing may be the smarter choice for your home.
For more information, check out our article >> What’s the Difference Between Interior and Exterior Basement Waterproofing?
