How to Solve Basement Flooding After Storm

About a month ago, we had a hurricane sweep though area and the basement apartment in our home has now developed a massive leak. The water coming into the basement apartment is on 1 side of a wall and we have put in new gutters with downspouts extended 3ft away from foundation. Water, however, is still coming into the basement apartment.

We have been advised by 2 contractors to have the basement waterproofed but I can’t completely trust their opinions because they want the job. Estimates for waterproofing are over $6000 and I have been unemployed for over a year. We do NOT have this kind of money to spend to dig into the ground around the basement to search for a foundation crack that may not even be there, but need the basement apartment as income or we will lose our home.

We can afford for $1,000 to have the soil slope away from the foundation but I know also if we take the easy way out we can have a more expensive problem later. The water that seeps in is NOT muddy so I don’t think we have a foundation crack. Is there a way to know for sure that there is a foundation crack without going through the expense of digging around the foundation to search for a foundation crack? Can the problem be fixed by just having the soil slope away from the foundation?

Our Answer

Sorry to hear about the basement. I would consider hiring a home inspector to check the home. A home inspector doesn’t stand to make any money on any repairs you may need after his or her assessment, so they are unbiased and just report what they find. Check the American Society for Home Inspectors website to find a certified pro in your area.

It’s very likely the contractors are simply trying to sell you a system you don’t need for a ridiculous amount of money. See our tips for basement waterproofing here for more on that. Also, dont forget that since this is storm related, your homeowners insurance may cover any repair costs.