Basement Waterproofing in Southeastern Wisconsin
Protecting Your Home From Leaks, Seepage & Basement Flooding
From water on the floor after a heavy rain to musty air, wall leaks and failing drain tile, American Foundation Specialists provides basement waterproofing solutions for homeowners throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Since 1947, we've helped homeowners find where water is getting in and stop it for good.
- Free inspections
- Written estimates
- Family owned for 80 years
- Since 194780 Years of Experience
- Family Owned& Operated
- Warranty BackedUp to 20-Year Warranty
- Licensed & BondedFully Insured
- BBB A+ RatingBetter Business Bureau
Experienced Waterproofing Specialists
A Dry Basement Starts With Finding the Source
Southeastern Wisconsin is a hard place to keep a basement dry. Heavy clay soil holds water against foundations for days, groundwater rises near our rivers and lakes and many homes still rely on drain tile and sump systems that are decades old. When the ground gets saturated, water finds its way in through cracks, the floor-wall joint, window wells and the walls themselves.
That's why we never guess. Every waterproofing project starts with tracing exactly where and how water is getting in. A leaking crack needs a different fix than seepage under the floor, and a block wall behaves differently than a poured concrete or older stone foundation. Once we know the source, we recommend the solution that actually stops it, with a written estimate and no pressure.
Basement water problems we fix include:
Is Water Getting Into Your Basement?
Warning Signs of a Wet Basement
Water After StormsPuddles along the walls after rain or snowmelt
Stains & White ResidueWater marks and chalky efflorescence on walls
Musty Smells & MoldDamp air, mildew and moisture-damaged belongings- Damp carpet or flooring near walls
- Peeling paint on basement walls
- A sump pump that runs constantly
- Window wells that fill with water
Basement Waterproofing Solutions
Basement Waterproofing Services for Southeastern Wisconsin Homes
Wet & Leaky Basements
Water in the basement after a heavy rain or spring thaw is the most common call we get. It can come through cracks, the seam where the wall meets the floor, window wells or failing drain tile, and it often comes from more than one place at once.
We trace the water to where it actually gets in before recommending anything, then fix the source. That might be a simple crack repair or a complete drainage system, and you'll know exactly why we're recommending it.
Basement Wall Leaks
When water comes through the wall itself, saturated soil is pushing it in. Poured walls leak at cracks and tie-rod holes, block walls fill with water inside their hollow cores and older stone and brick walls let water through softened mortar.
The right fix depends on the wall. Leaking cracks are sealed with injection, block walls usually need interior drainage and widespread leaks may call for exterior waterproofing.
Basement Floor & Wall Seepage
Water that creeps in along the base of the walls is coming from below. When groundwater builds up under the slab, it pushes through the joint where the floor meets the wall and through cracks in the floor.
Sealing the joint rarely lasts, because the pressure underneath is still there. The lasting fix is drain tile along the footing that relieves the pressure and carries the water to a sump pump.
Drain Tile Repair & Replacement
Drain tile is the perforated pipe around your footing that collects groundwater before it reaches the basement. In many Southeastern Wisconsin homes, the original clay tile is decades old, clogged with silt, broken or blocked by roots, and some older homes never had any at all.
We install new drain tile inside along the footing or outside during excavation, set in clean stone and connected to a sump system sized for your home.
Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing stops water before it ever reaches the foundation. The soil along the wall is excavated, the wall is cleaned and repaired and a waterproofing membrane is applied to the outside, often along with new exterior drain tile.
It's a bigger project than interior drainage, but it's often the right choice when leaks are widespread, when a wall is being straightened anyway or when you'd rather keep water off the wall entirely.
Sump Pump Systems & Battery Backup
Your sump pump moves the water your drain tile collects out of the house. If it's undersized, worn out or loses power during a storm, the pit overflows and the basement floods.
We install pumps sized for your home's water load, add battery backup systems that keep pumping during outages and can add a second pump for basements that handle a lot of water.
Why Wisconsin Basements Take On Water
Most basement water problems start with soil, groundwater and drainage, and many are tied to foundation problems like cracked and bowing walls.
Our Waterproofing Process
- 1InspectWe examine walls, floors, drainage and the outside of your home.
- 2TraceWe find exactly where and how the water is getting in.
- 3RecommendYou get a plain-English explanation and a written estimate.
- 4WaterproofWe complete the agreed work and leave your basement clean.
Basement Waterproofing Questions
Basement Waterproofing FAQs
Why does my basement leak only after heavy rain?
When the soil around your home becomes saturated, water pressure builds against the walls and under the floor and pushes water through cracks, the floor-wall joint and failing drainage. Once the soil dries out, the leak stops, until the next storm.
Is interior or exterior waterproofing better?
Each has its place. Interior drain tile and a sump pump manage water that reaches the foundation, usually without disturbing your yard. Exterior waterproofing stops water at the outside of the wall. We recommend whichever fits your home and how the water is getting in.
What is drain tile?
Perforated pipe installed along the footing that collects groundwater and carries it to a sump pump or away from the house, before it can push into the basement.
Can a basement be waterproofed from the inside?
Yes. Interior drain tile along the footing, connected to a sump pump, is one of the most common and effective ways to keep a basement dry, and it doesn't require digging up your yard.
Do waterproofing paints and sealers work?
They can reduce minor dampness, but they won't stop water under pressure. When water is pushing through the wall or floor, it needs drainage or exterior waterproofing.
Why does my basement smell musty?
A musty smell almost always means moisture is getting in somewhere, even if you don't see standing water. Finding and stopping the source is the first step.
Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
If your basement is finished or your pump runs often, a battery backup is strongly recommended, because storms often knock out power right when your pump needs to run.
Can you waterproof a finished basement?
Yes. Interior drain tile requires opening a strip along the perimeter of the floor. We'll explain exactly what's involved before any work starts.
Will waterproofing fix cracks in my walls?
Leaking cracks can be sealed as part of waterproofing. If a crack is caused by wall movement, the wall may also need structural repair. See foundation repair.
How long does basement waterproofing take?
Many interior drain tile installations take a few days. Exterior waterproofing typically takes longer because of excavation. 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.”
Where We Work
Basement Waterproofing Throughout Southeastern Wisconsin
Milwaukee County
Waukesha County
Racine County
Kenosha County
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.