Wet Basement “Expert” says Grading Won’t Stop Floods

Our Answer

It’s no surprise that a so called wet basement “expert” would proclaim that improvements to roof and surface drainage won’t fix you damp, leaky basement.  They have very strong economic reasons to do so.  Basement waterproofing companies pretty much sell a single type of repair, and it’s really not a water “proofing” solution at all.  If anything its a water pumping system that allows the water ot get to and through the foundation, where its collected in a sump and then pumped out to start the cycle all over again.

The reason most basements flood is because of issues with poor surface and roof drainage.  To stop this from happening, you must:

1.  Clean gutters & downspouts;
2.  Make sure there are enough downspouts for the roof size. Each spout should drain no more than 600-800 sq feet of roof surface
3.  Extend spouts to discharge at least 6 feet from house;
4.  Improve the angle of soil at the foundation perimeter to slope away from the house.

In RARE circumstances, flooding is caused by a rising water table and in that case, a pump system is needed.  However, we’re talking VERY RARE circumstances.

Here’s how to tell.  If your basement dampness and flooding worsens consistent with rainfall, or snow melt – its always caused by drainage that’s easily fixed.

Finally, one of the most popular posts on our site is about basement waterproofing.  Read it, and THEN read all the comments.  You’ll see three groups of comenters.  Wet basement “experts” desperate to save their money-making scams, home inspectors and other independent experts calling out the waterproofing profiteers and confirming the advice we’ve provided, and homeowners who have tried it and saved tens of thousands of dollars.