We are looking into have some work done in our basement, and am wondering what the answer is to our waterproofing needs. I know exterior excavation and proper waterproofing is the "correct" way, but does this really cost $40,000 or $50,000 on a 30'x30' Cape? Any ideas what a reasonable cost would be in the Connecticut area? What about interior drain systems? I've seen Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing's website and they claim to be the best thing ever. They gave us an estimate of $11,000 for an interior system. We have other companies coming to give estimates, but I'm trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks

cost....$40,000-50,000 ??? who told you that? Mid Atlantic?

first, you should define 'exactly' HOW `n WHERE water is entering, then you can choose the remedy. For instance, IF water is ENTERING through openings around basement windows and/or open mortar joints & bricks then, THAT`s what you need to fix!

On the other hand, IF water is ENTERING through crack(s) & other openings/crevices in basement wall(s) then....THAT`s what must be fixed.

Let`s say you need 3 walls waterproofed from outside due to cracks etc, and the linear footage for those 3 walls is 100'...and the DEPTH to footing & drain tiles is about 6'...then the COST to Waterproof and correctly backfill those 3 walls should cost $7,500--$9,000. And would take 2 or 3 days to do.

Inside Systems do NOT stop/prevent water from entering Outside cracks `n other direct openings. And since inside systems do NOT stop water from entering they also do NOT stop/prevent mold,mildew,efflorescence,termites and other insects from entering these SAME cracks `n openings on the Outside of a house. RADON gas enters through these same openings. And...Inside Systems do NOT stop/prevent/relieve Outside lateral & hydrostatic SOIL Pressure which does indeed cause cracks in walls,leaks,bowing of walls etc.

Tree roots can also cause cracks/walls to bow in and, NO Inside System helps take this pressure off the Outside of any bsmt wall, only an Outside method done correctly can help.

What is lateral `n hydrostatic soil pressure? READ 6th para... http://www.yodergroup.com/concrete.asp

Read first 4 para`s... http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Why_Foundations_Fail-Foundation-A2095.html

http://www.al-home-inspections.com/news-articles/artilce-4.html

Termites? They can enter a house WITHOUT direct wood contact and can enter through openings as small as 1/32 of an inch

http://www.mipca.org/Termites.htm

Tree roots...

http://landmarksociety.org/section.html?id=1&uid=1&pageId=7

...scroll way down to -TREE and Your Foundation

"Strong foundations are sometimes damaged by small roots that entered tiny cracks, then grew and expanded the crack. Large roots can push bulges into the foundation wall. EXCAVATE problem tree roots...."

Mid Atlantic, well.....maybe they are the best and maybe Not, you decide...according to BBB... http://www.search.bbb.org/

71 complaints in last 36 months Mid atlantic Waterproofing Laurel,MD

27 complaints last 36 months Mid Atlantic Waterpfg York,PA

31 complaints last 36 mths Mid Atlantic Boothwyn,PA

41 complaints last 36 mths Mid Atlantic Waterpfg South Plainfield,NJ

Yes, Mid-Atlantic was the first company we spoke to and they clain the cost to excavate, seal, and backfill 120 linear feet would be $50,000 +. Seemed like BS to me, but ya never know til you ask others. We have a few horizontal cracks maybe 2 feet long, not seperated, just hairline cracks. They did however leak a significent amount of water. I estimate 300 gallons or so was removed by me. There was also a patch job over a hole about the size of my little finger. This is the first tim we've seen any water through those cracks in 2 years in the house, but it was during a 7 in rain in one day. I've looked at the NAWSRC website, but there are no "certified" contractors in my immediate area, SW Connecticut. I am talking to one company on Long Island, NY to see if they can help. Any other resources I should know about?

I represent Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing & would like to reply to these postings.

Over the last three years, Mid-Atlantic has had revenues over $100 million. Based on the complaints and this dollar figure, this is a very low percentage. Plus, the previous postings do not mention that Mid-Atlantic resolves nearly 100% of these complaints. We invite everyone to check into the BBB about us or any contractor that you may be dealing with.

Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing

One of the BBB's sent over this email to us on 2/26/2007:

Charles,

At the present, I am happy to report that your company report with the BBB of Greater Maryland is satisfactory. Additionally, you’ll be delighted to know that when we convert to alphabetical ratings (probably in the fall), your report would be the equivalent of an “A” rating. The very fact that your business is a member in good standing with the BBB is a testament to Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing’s commitment to ethical business, your pledge to provide outstanding customer service and to resolve each and every complaint. Furthermore, given the size of your business, your complaint history is very low.

Sincerely,

Jody

Jody Thomas
Vice President, Membership
Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland

1414 Key Highway, Suite 100
Baltimore, MD 21230

p: 410-347-3990, ext. 3018
f: 410-347-3936
jthomas@bbbmd.org

www.bbbmd.org

Licensed Professional Waterproofing Company
Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing
For The Driest Basement In Town

www.basements.com

Lets see, appears you folks do most of you jobs from INSIDE...and most homeowners problems are on the Outside.

Then, most Inside Co`s aren`t happy with installing their water-diverting systems along 1 wall when the homeowner only has problem on 1 wall, NO, thats not enough work/money, many Inside Co`s will BS people into an enitre inside perimeter systems/4 walls, its no wonder you gross that amount

Another thing MOST Inside Co do NOT do...they do NOT DEFINE the homeowners problem, thats right, they won`t take down part of drywall/paneling to....ahem, SEE the wall-part of wall where homeowner has the problem/leak.

When one doesn`t DEFINE the problem it leads to problems/complaints, sure does.

PLUS....many of these same homeowners who have finished basements will ONLY have 1-2 cracks behind drywall OR, have one or several leaky rod holes, thats it! OR...some will have water that FIRST enters from ABOVE grade openings, around bsmt windows,open mortar joints etc and it runs down from top of bsmt wall, BEHIND drywall where homeowners sees it enter onto basement floor along cove/cold joint.

Many do NOT need what you folks would rather sell/install, and that is these drain tile or baseboards systems.

They don`t stop/prevent water-moisture from entering on the outside thus, won`t stop/prevent mold/efflorescence/radon/insects AND....they do not take any soil pressure or roots off the outside of basement wall(s). NO they don`t! NOT from the Inside, bs.

Only way to help lessen/relieve outside soil pressure `n roots is to remove and haul away the expanding-contracting soil `n roots, waterproof,Not damproof the wall and backfill with most-all gravel.

Are you saying that because you make/made MILLIONS that you are the utmost authority-expert on the planet? I have NEWS for YOU.....your NOT!

If you add up the number of complaints, multiply that by at average 10k price for most jobs:

71 complaints in last 36 months Mid atlantic Waterproofing Laurel,MD

27 complaints last 36 months Mid Atlantic Waterpfg York,PA

31 complaints last 36 mths Mid Atlantic Boothwyn,PA

41 complaints last 36 mths Mid Atlantic Waterpfg South Plainfield,NJ

multiplies out to almost 53 million. if you have only had revenues of 100 million, you are getting complaints on over half of your jobs. Sounds like a "high percentage" to me.

Water is a tricky devil and doesn't like to take no for an answer.

Stopping water in some cases can be impossible. The problem is, too many waterproofing companies take on jobs that they should walk away from.

And too many DIY products make promises they can't back-up and then blame application error.

Most of the waterproofing businesses will fold after a few years due to lawsuits and reputation issues.

Sometimes these waterproofers are putting their trust in products that cannot pass the test of time or are fly-by-night gimics.

All basements are different, so it is not as cut and dry as people would like it to be.

I witness this all the time in my business of mold remediation.

170 complaints times 10k (your figure) is 1.7 million ont $50 million.
this seems to reduce to a complaint ratio of 1.7 %
Is this so bad?

Hello,

I recently contacted Mid Atlantic Waterproofing to fix my new basement that has been leaking for the past week!!! I found them online, and I got a free basement leak quote which I love free things. We spent a day in the basement and the basement is dry as can be.

I'm not sure who the rocket scientist was who figured out these numbers but the way I see it

71 + 27 + 31 + 41 = 170

170 X $10,000 = $1,700,000

Less than 2%. By the way, the BBB tracks every complaint, no matter how minor.