Basement Waterproofing in Monmouth, Ocean & Middlesex Counties, NJ
Tired of a wet basement? Call MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942 to schedule a basement inspection.
If your basement is flooding right now, call the same number. We answer 24/7.
Water in the basement after every heavy rain, damp walls, a white chalky line along the floor, or a sump pump that never seems to stop: these are signs that water is getting in and will keep getting in. Drying out the basement fixes today's problem. Basement waterproofing is the permanent fix that keeps the water out of your living space next time. MaxClean Restoration installs interior drain systems, sump pumps with battery backup, wall membranes and crack injection for homes across Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.
Signs you have a wet basement problem
- Water on the floor along the walls after rain or snowmelt
- Puddles or damp spots where the floor meets the wall
- Cracks in the basement wall that leak or leave stains
- White, chalky deposits (efflorescence) on block or concrete walls
- A musty smell, mold on stored boxes, or peeling paint on the lower wall
- A sump pump that runs constantly, or a basement with no sump pump at all
Why water gets into basements in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex
Parts of Monmouth and Middlesex have dense clay soil that holds water against the foundation for days after a storm. Many Ocean County and shore-area neighborhoods sit on a high water table that rises with heavy rain. When the soil is full, water pushes against the foundation and comes in at the weakest points: the cove joint where the floor meets the wall, cracks, the hollow cores of block walls, and gaps around pipes. Nor'easters and long summer storms make it worse. Clogged gutters and downspouts that empty next to the house add to it, so we always check those first. Sometimes that's all it takes.
Basement waterproofing services
Interior perimeter drain (drain tile or interior French drain)
Technicians cut out a narrow strip of the basement floor along the wall, lay perforated pipe in washed stone, and pitch it toward a sump pump. Water that comes through the wall or up through the cove joint drops into the drain instead of spreading across your floor. The trench is then closed with new concrete. We can run it along one problem wall or around the whole basement.
Sump pump with battery backup
The sump pit sits at the low point of the drain system. The pump sends the water outside through a discharge line with a check valve, so it doesn't flow back in. A battery backup pump keeps running when a storm knocks out the power or the main pump fails. If your sump pump keeps running, short-cycles or has failed before, we can replace it and add a backup to the existing pit.
Wall membrane (dimple board)
A dimpled plastic membrane goes on the lower part of the wall. Seepage that comes through the wall runs down behind it into the drain, instead of soaking the wall, the floor or a finished room. On block walls, small weep holes let trapped water inside the blocks drain out too.
Crack injection
For leaking cracks in a poured concrete wall, technicians inject urethane or epoxy into the crack to seal it from the inside. This works for non-structural cracks. Horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks in block, or walls that bow inward need a structural engineer to look at them first.
How an interior drain system is installed
- Inspect. We look at where the water comes in, check the walls and floor with moisture meters, look at the existing sump if there is one, and check gutters, downspouts and grading outside.
- Protect the house. Technicians hang plastic sheeting to contain dust, cover HVAC vents, and protect the path in and out. Concrete is cut with water or HEPA dust extraction to control silica dust.
- Open the floor. A narrow strip of slab is cut and broken out along the wall, and the debris is hauled away.
- Install the drain. Perforated pipe goes into washed stone, pitched toward the sump. Dimple board goes on the lower wall, and block walls get weep holes.
- Set the sump and backup. The basin, pump, check valve and discharge line go in at the low point, along with the battery backup.
- Close it up and test. New concrete goes back over the trench, and we test the pump and walk you through how the system works.
Some towns require a permit for a new sump or interior drain, and some have rules about where sump water can discharge. We check your town's rules before work starts. Work that ties into your home's plumbing or needs a new electrical circuit is done by a licensed plumber or electrician.
What this page doesn't cover
This page covers interior systems. Bowing walls, horizontal cracks and other structural problems need a structural engineer first. Exterior excavation and radon systems are separate specialties, and we'll point you in the right direction if your home needs them.
Waterproofing is separate from an insurance claim
Basement waterproofing is usually a homeowner-paid improvement, and we quote it separately from any insurance claim, on its own visit and its own paperwork. If water has already damaged your basement, start with our water damage restoration page for cleanup and drying. If sewage came up through a floor drain, see sewage cleanup.
Basement waterproofing FAQs
Why do I get water in my basement after rain? After a long rain the soil around your foundation fills with water, and that water pushes in wherever it can. The most common spot is the cove joint, where the floor meets the wall. Cracks, block-wall cores and pipe openings are next. Start by checking that gutters are clear and downspouts carry water well away from the house. If water still comes in, an interior drain and sump system is the usual fix.
My sump pump keeps running. Is something wrong? Not always. In wet weather or a high water table, a pump that cycles often may just be doing its job. It can also mean a stuck float, a failed check valve that lets water fall back into the pit, a pit that is too small, or discharge water running back toward the house. We look at the pit, the pump and where the water goes, then tell you whether it needs a repair, a bigger pit, a new pump or a backup.
Do I need a battery backup sump pump? If your basement depends on a sump pump, a backup is worth considering. The heaviest storms are also the ones that knock out power, and that's when the main pump stops. A battery backup takes over when the power goes out or the main pump fails. The batteries wear out over time, so plan to test and replace them every few years.
Cracks in my basement wall are leaking. Can you fix them from inside? Most vertical or slightly diagonal cracks in a poured concrete wall can be sealed from inside by injecting urethane or epoxy. Horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks in a block wall, or a wall that bows inward can mean a structural problem. Those need a structural engineer to look at them first, and we'll tell you if we see those signs.
What's the difference between interior drain tile and exterior waterproofing? An interior drain catches water after it reaches the foundation and carries it to a sump pump that sends it outside. It's installed from inside the basement, so there's no digging up your yard. Exterior waterproofing means excavating around the outside of the foundation to add a membrane and drain, which is a bigger job. The services on this page are interior systems.
My basement already flooded. Should I waterproof first or clean up first? Clean up and dry first. Standing water and wet drywall, carpet or stored boxes need to come out and the space needs to be dried before any waterproofing work starts. Our water damage team handles that part, and waterproofing is quoted later on a separate visit if you want it.
Is basement waterproofing covered by homeowners insurance? Waterproofing is a home improvement that the homeowner pays for, and we quote it separately from any insurance claim. If you have questions about your own policy, ask your insurance agent. If water has already damaged your home, see our water damage restoration page for cleanup.
How long does basement waterproofing take? It depends on the size of the basement and what's needed. A new sump pump with a backup is often done in a day. An interior drain along one wall or the whole perimeter usually takes a few days. We give you an expected schedule with your estimate.
Schedule a basement waterproofing inspection
Call 732-539-2942 to schedule an inspection, or send an estimate request. Related pages: crawl space encapsulation · water damage restoration · mold remediation · sewage cleanup · basement flooding and sump pump failure guide
MaxClean Restoration, 11 Bannard Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 · 732-539-2942
· IICRC Certified Firm #70028169 · NJ HIC #13VH12188600
Serving Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.
