Exterior Basement Waterproofing in Southeastern Wisconsin
Stop Water Before It Reaches the Wall.
Exterior waterproofing protects your foundation from the outside, where the water starts. American Foundation Specialists excavates along the wall, repairs it, seals it with a waterproofing membrane and adds new drainage, so water is stopped before it can ever reach your basement.
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The Most Complete Way to Keep Water Out
Interior waterproofing manages water after it reaches your foundation. Exterior waterproofing keeps it off the wall entirely. The soil along the foundation is excavated down to the footing, the wall is cleaned and repaired and a waterproofing membrane is applied to the outside surface, where water would otherwise soak in.
A drainage board is added over the membrane to give water a clear path down the wall, new drain tile is installed at the footing to carry it away and the trench is backfilled and graded so surface water flows away from the house. The result is a foundation protected from the outside in, the way it ideally would have been built.
It's a bigger project than interior drainage, and it isn't the right choice for every home. But when leaks are widespread, a wall is being excavated for repair anyway or you want to protect a finished basement without opening it up, it's often the best long-term solution. It's one of the options covered by our basement waterproofing services.
How It Works
The Three Layers of Exterior Waterproofing
After the wall is cleaned and any cracks are repaired, a waterproofing membrane is applied to the exterior surface from the footing up to just below grade. It creates a continuous barrier that keeps groundwater from soaking into the concrete, block or masonry.
A dimpled drainage board goes over the membrane. It protects the coating during backfill and creates an air gap that lets water drain freely down the wall instead of pressing against it, relieving pressure before it can build.
At the footing, new perforated drain tile is set in clean stone to collect the water that runs down the wall and carry it to a sump or drainage outlet. The trench is then backfilled and graded so rain and snowmelt flow away from the house. See drain tile.
Is It Right for Your Home?
When Exterior Waterproofing Makes Sense
- Widespread LeaksWhen water comes through several walls or large areas, sealing it from outside is often the most thorough fix.
- Wall Repair Already PlannedIf a wall is being excavated and straightened, waterproofing it at the same time saves digging twice.
- Finished BasementsExterior work protects the basement without tearing out finished walls and floors inside.
- Older Masonry FoundationsStone and brick walls that seep everywhere benefit from a barrier on the outside.
Signs You May Need Exterior Waterproofing
- Leaks on more than one basement wall
- Damp walls across large areas, not just at cracks
- A bowing wall that needs excavation anyway
- A finished basement you don't want to open up
- An older stone or brick foundation that seeps
- Interior fixes that haven't solved the problem
Wondering If Exterior Waterproofing Is Right for You?
We'll compare interior and exterior options for your home and explain the trade-offs.
How We Do It
Our Exterior Waterproofing Process
Excavation & Wall Preparation
The soil along the affected walls is carefully excavated down to the footing, exposing the full height of the foundation. We protect nearby landscaping where possible and keep the work area organized and safe.
With the wall exposed, it's cleaned and inspected up close. Cracks are repaired, deteriorated areas are addressed and, if the wall has moved, it can be straightened and reinforced before waterproofing. See wall straightening.
Waterproofing, Drainage & Backfill
The waterproofing membrane is applied, the drainage board is installed over it and new drain tile is set in clean stone at the footing. Everything is checked before a single shovel of soil goes back in.
The trench is then backfilled in layers and graded so water flows away from your foundation. Downspouts can be extended at the same time, so the soil around your home stays as dry as possible.
Manages water that reaches the foundation. Installed from inside with no digging.
Stops water at the outside of the wall. Requires excavation along the foundation.
Some homes benefit from exterior protection on one wall and interior drainage elsewhere.
What to Expect
What to Expect
- 01InspectWe evaluate the walls, the leaks and the conditions around your home.
- 02PlanWe recommend which walls to waterproof and explain the project.
- 03WaterproofWe excavate, repair, seal and install new drainage.
- 04RestoreWe backfill, grade and clean up the work area.
Exterior Waterproofing Questions
Exterior Basement Waterproofing FAQs
What is exterior basement waterproofing?
Excavating the soil along the outside of the foundation, repairing the wall, applying a waterproofing membrane and drainage board and installing new drain tile at the footing before backfilling.
Is exterior waterproofing better than interior?
Neither is better in every case. Exterior waterproofing stops water before it reaches the wall. Interior systems manage water that does reach it and don't require digging. The right choice depends on your home.
Does exterior waterproofing require digging up my yard?
Yes. The soil along the affected walls is excavated down to the footing. We'll explain exactly what areas will be affected and how they'll be restored.
Can you waterproof just one wall?
Yes. Exterior waterproofing is often done only on the walls that are leaking or the walls being excavated for repair.
Is exterior waterproofing a good choice for finished basements?
Often, yes. Because the work is done from outside, finished walls and floors inside don't need to be removed.
Can a wall be straightened and waterproofed at the same time?
Yes, and it's one of the best times to do it. With the wall already exposed, straightening, reinforcing and waterproofing happen in one project.
What happens to my landscaping?
Plantings directly along the foundation in the work area typically need to be removed and replaced. We'll talk through what's affected before work begins.
Will exterior waterproofing stop seepage through my floor?
Exterior drain tile helps relieve water pressure at the footing, but seepage coming up through the floor is often best handled with interior drain tile.
Do I need a permit for exterior waterproofing?
Excavation and foundation work may require a permit depending on your city or village. We'll explain what your project requires.
How long does exterior waterproofing take?
It depends on how many walls are involved and site conditions. Most projects take several days. You'll get a timeline with your estimate.
Thousands of Wisconsin Homeowners Have Trusted Their Foundations to American Foundation Specialists.
“Jayme and Scott came out on an urgent call today. Although there was no foundation issue, they correctly diagnosed a plumbing issue… I highly recommend their professional and friendly service.”
“The team at American Foundation did a great job installing steel beams to brace one of our basement walls… The work looks great and they did good cleaning up afterwards.”
“We worked with Lyle. He was great to work with, explained everything that needed to be done… Fair price and excellent work.”
Related Repairs
Related Foundation Repair Services
Drain Tile Repair & Replacement
Wall Straightening & Reinforcement
Basement Wall Leaks
Don't Wait for a Small Problem to Become a Bigger One.
Let's Find Out What's Happening With Your Foundation.
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll inspect the problem, explain what's causing it and help you understand your repair options.
American Foundation Specialists — Protecting Wisconsin Homes for 80 Years.