(Click on the image for information about the National Flood Insurance Program)
Washington Consumers’ Checkbook advice on Basement
Waterproofers:
"If your basement is wet, please, please, PLEASE read
the following before you call in a basement waterproofing contractor:
- Most
basements get wet when rainwater runs toward the walls of houses from
roofs, yards, and driveways. The first step to eliminating the invasion of
water is to force it to run away from your home. Repairing gutters,
extending downspouts, and/or grading the soil around your house will clear
up most problems at a minimal price.
- If
these simple fixes don’t work, get an independent opinion from a drainage
specialist or home
inspector with expertise in drainage issues. You’ll have to pay
for an inspection, but a competent inspector’s advice may save you many
times the fee.
- Focus
on solving the problem from the outside. Many basement waterproofing
contractors want to sell costly interior drainage systems with sump
pumps—even if you don’t need it. The best solutions prevent water from
reaching the walls of your home; interior systems manage water only after
it has entered the building.
Don’t ask a basement waterproofing contractor for
help until you are absolutely sure you need one.
If you do need to hire a contractor, meet with and obtain
proposals from several companies. Many landscaping
companies specialize in drainage work. Among basement waterproofing
contractors, big differences exist in the quality of advice provided. Avoid
companies that use aggressive sales tactics."