Basement Waterproofing
Are you experiencing issues with hydrostatic pressure resulting in a leaky basement? We offer interior and exterior basement waterproofing to keep your basement clean and dry.
Schedule Free InspectionBasement Waterproofing Problem Signs
If you've experienced a basement flood, have damp walls or small leaks, or have a consistent musty smell, you need expert basement waterproofing services from Baker's Waterproofing.
Basement Wall Cracks
Basement wall cracks deserve immediate attention and repair. Learn more and how Baker's Waterproofing ensures your home's safety.
Leaking Basement Windows
Leaking basement windows can cause flooding, mold growth, and structural damage. Baker's Waterproofing offers permanent solutions.
Humidity in Basement
High basement humidity poses significant health and safety risks. Trust Baker's Waterproofing to eliminate excess moisture.
Water in Your Basement
Water in your basement can result in mold, foundation issues, and flooding. Trust Baker’s Waterproofing to set it right!
Finding water or dampness in your home is always cause for concern due to the many possible sources it could stem from. Finding the cause of standing water is always tricky, but it’s important to address all potential sources. By locating the reason for water in your basement, you can effectively protect your home once basement waterproofing repairs are made. Moisture-related problems such as mold and mildew, foundation damage, and elevated humidity can all cause stress for your home. By waterproofing your basement, you can add back value, increase comfort and safety, and protect your loved ones from the effects of water damage. Contact the experts at Baker’s Waterproofing today to regain confidence in your home once more with our proven waterproofing solutions.
Wet Basement Causes
There are two important factors that contribute to basement leaking:
Imagine your home as it was being built. The contractors begin by digging a hole in the ground to make room for your basement and foundation. To do so, the contractor must dig a hole that is a little larger than the space your home will need. The foundation will be built inside this space, and the concrete floor will be poured.
Once the foundation has been built, some of the excavated soil is used to fill in the gap around the outer edge of your foundation.
This soil, known as “backfill”, will be loose and fluffed from the excavation. Meanwhile, the untouched soil around it, known as “virgin soil”, may have been settling for hundreds, even thousands of years.
What does this mean for you? The backfilled soil surrounding your foundation will always be looser and more absorbent of water than the dense, hard-packed soil around it.
This forms a sort of “clay bowl” around your house — one that creates an artificial water table around your home. Water collects the most right around your foundation — exactly where you don’t want it to be.
Water is heavy! As the soil around your home becomes soaked with moisture, the soil will expand, and the weight of the water will press on your foundation. This is known as hydrostatic pressure.
As hydrostatic pressure builds against your foundation, water will work its way in through any way possible.
Water can make its way through concrete cracks in the walls or floors, through openings around pipes, through basement windows, or even directly through the porous concrete. If you have block walls, water may pass through the block and begin to fill the open cavities.
However, the most common way that water enters a home is through the foundation wall-floor joint. We find that most flooded basements start with a leak here.
Award-Winning Service
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Gavin came out and pointed me in the right direction with an issue I was having. He also saved me time and money by giving me great advice.
Gavin came out and pointed me in the right direction with an issue I was having. He also saved me time and money by giving me great advice.
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Craig came out and was unbelievably professional. He took his time diagnosing the issues we had, answered all of our questions, and took…
Craig came out and was unbelievably professional. He took his time diagnosing the issues we had, answered all of our questions, and took great care in making sure we were informed. We would highly recommend Groundworks. Ask for Craig!
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Amazing company-Very friendly, knowledgeable! When I contacted for an estimate, they were prompt and professional in responding. A large…
Amazing company-Very friendly, knowledgeable! When I contacted for an estimate, they were prompt and professional in responding. A large majority of local companies never even bother to respond. I am not scheduled for my work to be done til August but I am super confident they will do amazing work!
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Jason came out to give estimate. He was professional and knowledgeable. He walked me through my options and explained the entire process to …
Jason came out to give estimate. He was professional and knowledgeable. He walked me through my options and explained the entire process to me. Thanks to him I look forward to working with Groundworks!
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Richard Rupp, J. Lowe and S. Turner were very professional, friendly and did an excellent job. They put in seven jacks, sealed my vents and …
Richard Rupp, J. Lowe and S. Turner were very professional, friendly and did an excellent job. They put in seven jacks, sealed my vents and put in a dehumidifier in about four hours. I thought it would all day. I plan on getting my crawl space encapsulated at some point in the future. I also want to thank Brad Peterson for all his patience with me as I called him multiple times And he helped me decide on something I could afford. I would definitely recommend them to someone else. GREAT JOB GUYS 👍
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Marshall performed an inspection and noticed a few issues, he explained the process of his work before starting, kept well informed with…
Marshall performed an inspection and noticed a few issues, he explained the process of his work before starting, kept well informed with arrival times. 10/10. Go with Marshall.
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We had some subtle foundation wall bowing at our home and contacted Baker to see what our options might be. Chuck and James S did a great…
We had some subtle foundation wall bowing at our home and contacted Baker to see what our options might be. Chuck and James S did a great job installing the Carbon Fiber wall reinforcing system. Their work along with Bakers warranty gives us peace of mind that our home will be structurally sound for as long as the home is still standing!
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Marty did an amazing job of assisting to diagnose the situation and advise the best repair. He was very professional and thorough with his…
Marty did an amazing job of assisting to diagnose the situation and advise the best repair. He was very professional and thorough with his assessment. Thanks again!
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Jason is very professional and provides insightful information. We appreciate all his help!
Jason is very professional and provides insightful information. We appreciate all his help!
It is so nice to have the basement really dry–no smell of mold, no more mold growing on surfaces. I am so very pleased with Baker…
It is so nice to have the basement really dry–no smell of mold, no more mold growing on surfaces. I am so very pleased with Baker Waterproofing because of how they handled some problems we encountered. They went above and beyond to make everything more than right. With that kind of service, I have full confidence in their standing by their warranty, should I ever (hopefully not!) need it. The team was great, as was the supervisor, Martin, and the General Manager, Mark Luba.
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My basement walls had big cracks and were leaning in. I was concerned that I could be looking at collapsed walls in the future. Lucas and…
My basement walls had big cracks and were leaning in. I was concerned that I could be looking at collapsed walls in the future. Lucas and Steven Selleck, Dalton and Maleke Smith took good care of my problem clearly recognizing the actual cause. I had the basement waterproofed by another company 10 years prior. They had failed to install weep holes in the walls and although I no longer had water in the basement the walls were filled with water which was affecting the wall structure. By the time the crew left I had confidence that my walls were secure and water pressure relieved. The crew was professional, knowledgeable and explained what was happening and why. I saw with my own eyes the stream of water coming out of the walls. Now it is repaired and I am so very happy that Bakers waterproofing was the company I called and selected for the job. I feel much relieved. Thank you Bakers Waterproofing!
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Did an awesome job on one of our investment properties! Definitely recommend and they have a top tier warranty with the follow up…
Did an awesome job on one of our investment properties! Definitely recommend and they have a top tier warranty with the follow up maintenance service! Would recommend them to anyone of my friends or family or someone just needing a legit company that operates with integrity! 🙏
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Excellent, thorough work by Lukas Selleck, Jason Schaeffer, Dalton Bardok, and others.
Excellent, thorough work by Lukas Selleck, Jason Schaeffer, Dalton Bardok, and others.
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Derek went above and beyond to make sure that all my equipment was working correctly.
Derek went above and beyond to make sure that all my equipment was working correctly.
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The gentlemen (Daylan, Nick and Mike) that competed the work were terrific. They kept me well informed and did an excellent job. They found …
The gentlemen (Daylan, Nick and Mike) that competed the work were terrific. They kept me well informed and did an excellent job. They found the source of leak that was different than what I originally thought and explained the issue to my plumber. They left the area cleaned and removed all debris. I would highly recommend them. They explained how the sump pump worked as well as the backup battery and what I should do if there was an issue. The gentleman (Bob Massaro) that explained the services that I needed, and price did an excellent job showing me the areas of issues, and how the Baker's would fix the issues. He answered all my questions and was available. Since we ran into an unexpected issue, he came to my house during the work, which I really appreciated. I would highly recommend Baker's Waterproofing.
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However. We already consulted you and you said that you don't do this sort of work anymore. We have nothing but kudos for previous work
However. We already consulted you and you said that you don't do this sort of work anymore. We have nothing but kudos for previous work
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I used Baker’s Waterproofing to fix my foundation. Chuck and James were very professional and helpful. They went out of their way to…
I used Baker’s Waterproofing to fix my foundation. Chuck and James were very professional and helpful. They went out of their way to replant a tree removed from the escalation. Very pleased with their work
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Cale, Joey, and Gauge, Excellent workers and very professional. Enjoyed my day with them!
Cale, Joey, and Gauge, Excellent workers and very professional. Enjoyed my day with them!
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I hired Baker's Waterproofing at recommendation of a recently hired plumbing contractor after their work revealed a leak coming through my…
I hired Baker's Waterproofing at recommendation of a recently hired plumbing contractor after their work revealed a leak coming through my foundation. I called Baker's and they sent somebody out for an initial inspection of my basement and garage. It was ultimately uncovered that my foundation was built of cinderblocks and was not only leaking water from the steep hill behind my home whenever it rained or whenever snow melted, but also that groundwater was welling up and through it from the ground below. Baker's scheduled a time that worked for both their workers and my time, and sent out Victor and Miguel to get a full waterproofing, french drain, and pump installation with backup system installation completed. Their work quality, work ethic, and determination to keep timeliness blew me away. Despite running into several complications and delays that were through no fault of their own, not to mention inclement weather on one of the scheduled days of work (heavy snowfall), they managed to work with their small crew to get all of the work done in about a week's total time. It only took them two days of work to complete a full job along nearly the entire basement wall, the whole back garage wall, and one entire side wall of the garage. On top of this, from start to finish of this project with Baker's Waterproofing, every person I spoke to and worked with was extremely professional, courteous, and explained anything I needed elaboration on clearly and concisely; and their pricing was not only competitive, but extremely reasonable for the quality and quantity of work they did. I cannot recommend Baker's Waterproofing enough; they are worth every minute and every penny. Special thanks to Victor and Miguel. If I ever need anything Baker's Waterproofing can do again, I am definitely asking for them by name.
Basement Waterproofing Solutions
A basement represents an entire floor of space in your house. We want to help you reclaim this space and make the most of your home investment.
Basement Dehumidifier
Humidity, musty odors, and mold endanger your home and family. Protect what matters most with the best dehumidifier for basement.
Sump Pump in Basement Installation
Stop leaks in their tracks and get a dry basement permanently with a reliable basement pump system from Baker's Waterproofing.
Basement Wall Vapor Barrier
Discover how wall vapor barriers and other waterproofing solutions help banish humid basement issues at their source.
BasementGutter™ Interior Drainage System
Solve basement water problems with BasementGutter™ Interior Drainage. Learn more about this trusted waterproofing solution!
Is Basement Waterproofing the Right Solution for Me?
If your home is experiencing a rise in humidity or mold and mildew growth, it may be stemming from water in your basement. At Baker’s Waterproofing, we specialize in basement waterproofing and foundation repair to eradicate the effects of water damage to your home. We offer free inspections that come with a written estimate of our repair solutions so that you can feel good about choosing to work with us. During your inspection, one of our certified experts will come out and do a full assessment of your home and determine the best solution for your exact problem. With nearly 50 years of experience in protecting homes from moisture-related damage, we know how to accurately spot the signs and provide solutions to keep your home dry.
FAQs
If you have noticed certain walls around your home starting to look like they are bowing or building inward, then there are a few potential issues that could be at work. The most obvious (and yet least common) cause of uneven, damaged, or bowing walls is some kind of defect in the wall itself. This can take two main forms: design flaws or defects in the concrete mix itself. Either way, the flaws caused by these kinds of issues will make a wall much weaker and lead to many issues of which bowing is only one.
Far more common, however, is damage as a result of excessive pressure or a lack of support. Hydrostatic pressure, for example, is one of the leading causes of bowing, leaning, or collapsing walls. This pressure is caused by the weight of the soil around the walls, of course, but also by the water in the soil. As such, this is an issue that all properties have to deal with at some point; in fact, they are designed to deal with it. The main issue arises when the hydrostatic pressure in the soil reaches unmanageable levels. This can be caused by a number of things, including heavy rainfall, the presence of underground water sources, copious snowmelt, or even just poor drainage around the property.
Finally, there is a chance that lateral or vertical movement in your property’s foundation will lead to damage that destabilizes your basement walls. Spreading cracks that separate the foundation of your home from the walls in some areas, for example, will lead to movement and make the walls more vulnerable to movement, leaning, and localized collapse. Of course, there are some problem signs that will show long before the walls themselves begin to lean or buckle visibly. The most common signs are spreading cracks, dampness, humidity, and mold formation. If you act when you see these early signs, then you could prevent your walls from leaning or bowing at all.
While this is a simple question, the answer can be complex. To keep it short and sweet: most forms of mold are benign, if not exactly healthy to have in your home, but a small number of mold species are toxic. Identifying those types of molds that are actively dangerous can be difficult, however, because mold and fungal growths come in thousands of species. The fungal growths that occur as a result of wood rot, for example, can look similar to white forms of mold but are generally not harmful to humans unless ingested (though they will wreak havoc on your home).
The type of mold that you should be most worried about, however, is black mold. Black mold is highly toxic to humans and animals; it can cause serious side effects even when the level of exposure is small. Black mold can cause side effects such as rashes, skin irritation, infections, dizziness, breathlessness, respiratory issues, and, in some very serious cases, seizures. More serious side effects are rare, of course, and tend to only occur after prolonged exposure… unless there are underlying issues.
As is so often the case, those who are already vulnerable are at the most risk from exposure to any kind of mold but particularly when exposed to black mold in any serious or prolonged capacity. Those most at risk are the elderly, very young children, those who have underlying respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema, and those who have impaired immune systems. While exposure to black mold can be unpleasant and debilitating for anyone in large doses, even a small amount of exposure can be lethal to people who have underlying conditions. That makes it necessary to seek out waterproofing measures that can protect your home from falling victim to this kind of infestation.
There are a number of potential causes of dampness when it comes to a property’s basement. Some are fairly benign, while others can be linked to very serious damage to the structure of your home or its internal workings. Of course, the most common and easy to spot source of moisture in any basement is damage to the property’s plumbing systems and any attached appliances. Small leaks in the joints between pipes, or deterioration in appliances like water heaters, can significantly raise humidity over time. More dramatic plumbing floods are more likely to cause dampness, of course, but also less likely to be allowed to continue for any amount of time.
The other possibilities are structural damage or a process called seepage. Seepage is a fairly common and surprisingly benign process that can, nonetheless, have serious implications for your home. Seepage occurs because of the porous nature of concrete as a building material. If the soil outside your home is saturated, then there is a high chance that the water it holds will start to seep through your basement’s concrete walls. This rarely causes noticeable amounts of standing water, but it will raise the humidity in your home. It may also leave a white-ish residue on your walls. This is known as efflorescence.
Finally, damage to the structure of your property, the foundation, or the basement walls is a common but serious issue that should not be ignored. While foundation damage and bowing basement walls are the most severe kinds of damage that can lead to dampness, any crack in the structure of your home can let water in over time. As such, you should act quickly and contact a professional to make sure that the cause of your dampness is not structural of some kind.
Sump pump systems are one of the most common waterproofing measures that can be found across Central PA. Sump pump systems are very often the first and last line of defense against dampness, water damage, and flooding in any home that they are installed in. That’s because of how they actively gather and remove water from a space. Sump pump systems now come in all shapes and sizes, and they are incredibly versatile. Nonetheless, they all work in much the same way and can be split into two categories: submersible and pedestal.
Submersible sump pumps are those which are designed to be submerged in the water inside the sump pit. They are most commonly found pump systems on the market for a number of reasons. Firstly, submersible pumps are quieter and generally considered to be more stable. Likewise, submersible pumps can handle greater volumes of water and are less likely to experience clogs as a result of small pieces of debris.
Pedestal sump pumps, by contrast, sit outside of the sump pit and are generally installed in areas where there are concerns with space. They frequently malfunction and can cause further issues with basement moisture or flooding because of the lack of a secure lid. Additional downsides are the noise that they produce, their inability to deal with solid particles, and the fact that they can be considered a potential hazard to children, animals, and anyone who has to traverse the area around them.
Hydrostatic pressure is a natural force created by the weight of the soil and the water that it contains.
Sudden or significant increases in hydrostatic pressure can be caused in different ways, but it is most likely to occur because of heavy rainfall. This can cause the soil to wash out or flood, or expand and press against your basement walls.
When this happens, structural damage is almost certain because hydrostatic pressure is often applied laterally. Concrete is durable, but it really cannot bend or flex. Lateral pressure can then cause it to crack and buckle. Bowing walls and foundation fragmentation are common outcomes when hydrostatic pressure gets too high.
Why is Basement Waterproofing Needed?
Protects Your Home Against Mold and Mildew
One of the most obvious and common problems that homeowners will first notice when they have basement water damage is mold and mildew growth. Not only is it unpleasant to deal with, but it also can cause damage to your home and be a health hazard for your loved ones. Once mold forms, it’s easily able to spread through your home at a rapid rate. By waterproofing your basement, you can prevent mold growth altogether and keep your home and family healthy.
Protects It from the Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure
The most worrying problem that can arise when you have a wet basement is structural damage. If water is able to get into your basement, there’s a high chance that your home has experienced some sort of damage to its structure. Whether it is foundation settlement or cracks in your basement walls or floors, water can seep in due to hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure occurs when the soil surrounding your home becomes oversaturated, leading to immense amounts of force upon your foundation. This, in turn, leads to water getting in. By repairing your foundation and waterproofing your basement, you can stop the effects of hydrostatic pressure.
Increases the Value of Your Property
Many homeowners choose to waterproof and finish their basements so that they can be converted into functional living spaces. By doing so, you can increase the value of your home by creating more livable square footage and having waterproofing measures in place. By protecting your home from the effects of water, it will be more appealing to homeowners not looking to do any renovations or repairs once they move. Waterproofing your basement is not only a good practice for your home’s structural integrity but also for whenever you decide to sell.
Common Basement Waterproofing Tips & Mistakes
Helpful Tips for Waterproofing Your Basement
- When considering waterproofing your basement, it’s important to also think about installing exterior waterproofing in addition to an interior drainage system. When the two are combined they establish the perfect boundary to prevent water from entering and damaging your home. This also includes your gutter system, which is why regular maintenance is advised to check for leaks or clogs. This ensures that they are in proper working order and are effectively draining water away from your home.
- Checking the grade of your yard is essential to ensuring your waterproofing systems aren’t working in overdrive. The grade of the land your home is built on also directly impacts the likelihood of it succumbing to hydrostatic pressure. If your yard has a negative grade, any time it rains or the snow starts to melt, it will flow towards your home’s foundation. When your home has a positive grade, it will flow away from your home.
- If you’re having issues with flooding, installing a sump pump will likely solve your problem. A sump pump collects the water inside your basement and pumps the water outside and away from your home. If you already have a sump pump in your basement you will need to maintain it on a regular basis to prevent blockages. You can inspect the system for efficiency by pouring water into the sump pit. If the pump automatically starts, your sump pump is working. We also recommend installing a backup sump pump as a safety precaution. This will keep the pump operating even during a power outage, or during times of heavy rainfall when the primary pump cannot keep up.
Mistakes to Avoid When Waterproofing Your Basement
- If your home experiences a flood, one of the most important things to do is to remove any standing water as soon as possible. By leaving water to sit in your basement, any upholstery like carpet, furniture, bedding, or towels will soak up the water and create the perfect environment for mold. By removing any wet items, you can reduce your risk of mold infestations.
- Many homeowners think that using caulk is an easy cure-all for cracks. It can provide a temporary solution, but it won’t last. A professional foundation repair and waterproofing team will be able to assess what your home’s unique need is and recommend a certain repair solution.
- Unless you have background knowledge of waterproofing and contracting, there is a sizable chance that you don’t know how to locate the root of the problem. It could be a plethora of different things, or it could just be that one crack. Unless you get a professional’s opinion, you may have fixed a crack that has nothing to do with your damp basement and can cause more problems down the road.
Providing Expert Basement Waterproofing in Pennsylvania & West Virginia
Pennsylvania trusts Baker’s Waterproofing for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!
Top Cities We Serve
Our Locations
3819 N Susquehanna Trail
Shamokin Dam, PA 17876
922 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
701 North Hermitage Rd, Suite 25,
Hermitage, PA 16148
5 Industrial Road, Building B
Washington, PA 15301
201 Penn Center Blvd Suite 400
Wilkins Township, PA 15235
800 E King St, Suite 518
York, PA 17402