Exterior Basement Waterproofing in Milwaukee
Stop Water Before It Hits the Wall.
Exterior waterproofing protects your foundation from the outside, where the water starts. Basement Specialists digs along the wall, repairs it, seals it and adds new drainage.
- Since 1981Locally owned & operated
- Free EstimatesWritten & no-pressure
- Warranty BackedUp to 20 years
- Licensed & InsuredFully bonded
- 4.7 Stars on GoogleFrom local homeowners
Exterior Waterproofing
The Most Complete Way to Keep Water Out
Interior systems manage water after it reaches your foundation. Exterior waterproofing keeps it off the wall entirely. We excavate down to the footing, clean and repair the wall and apply a waterproofing membrane to the outside surface.
A drainage board goes over the membrane to give water a clear path down the wall, new drain tile is set at the footing to carry it away and the trench is backfilled and graded so surface water flows away from the house.
It's a bigger project than interior drainage, and it isn't right for every home. When leaks are widespread, a wall is being excavated anyway or you want to protect a finished basement without opening it up, it's often the best long-term choice.
How It Works
The Three Layers of Exterior Waterproofing
A continuous coating on the outside of the wall keeps groundwater from soaking in.
A dimpled board protects the membrane and lets water drain freely down the wall.
New pipe at the footing carries water away, and grading sends surface water off.
What Causes It
When Exterior Waterproofing Makes Sense
It's the right call in a few specific situations.
Warning Signs
Signs You May Need Exterior Work
If interior fixes haven't solved it, the answer may be outside.
- Leaks on more than one wall
- Large damp areas, not just cracks
- A bowing wall needing excavation
- A finished basement to protect
- A stone wall that seeps all over
- Interior fixes that didn't work
- Water along the top of the wall
- Soil sloping toward the house
How We Fix It
Our Exterior Process
ExcavateExcavation & Wall Prep
We carefully excavate along the affected walls down to the footing, exposing the full height of the foundation. Nearby landscaping is protected where possible, and the work area is kept organized and safe.
With the wall exposed, it's cleaned and inspected up close. Cracks are repaired, deteriorated areas are fixed and, if the wall has moved, it can be straightened and reinforced before waterproofing.
This is the one time you can see the outside of your foundation, so we make sure it's in good shape before we cover it back up.
Wall StraighteningSealWaterproofing, Drainage & Backfill
The membrane is applied, the drainage board is installed over it and new drain tile is set in clean stone at the footing. Everything is checked before any soil goes back in.
The trench is backfilled in layers and graded so water flows away from your foundation. Downspouts can be extended at the same time to keep the soil as dry as possible.
When we're done, you've got a foundation that's protected from the outside in, the way it ideally would have been built.
Drain Tile DetailsWhat to Expect
What to Expect
- 1InspectWe evaluate the walls, the leaks and the conditions outside.
- 2PlanWe recommend which walls to waterproof.
- 3WaterproofWe excavate, repair, seal and add drainage.
- 4RestoreWe backfill, grade and clean up.
Common Questions
Exterior Waterproofing FAQs
Is exterior better than interior?
Neither is better every time. Exterior keeps water off the wall; interior manages it without digging.
Does it mean digging up my yard?
Yes, along the affected walls. We'll explain what's affected and how it's restored.
Can you do just one wall?
Yes. It's often done only on the walls that leak.
Is it good for finished basements?
Often, because the inside doesn't have to be torn out.
Can a wall be straightened at the same time?
Yes, and it's one of the best times to do it.
How long does it take?
Most projects take several days, depending on how many walls are involved.
What Homeowners Say
Trusted by Milwaukee-Area Homeowners
“We had Basement Specialists do foundation work for us, they were affordable, completed the work in a timely manner, and did a great job at cleanup. We even had some extra work done around the porch foundation which was reasonable and looks great. We would highly recommend them!!”
“We have used Basement Specialists a couple of times. They have been simply wonderful to work with. To start with, the office is responsive, and they were easy to schedule with. Dale showed up promptly…”
“Just had them do foundation work for us. They did a good job, they did put runners down. Even put some on the basement steps, even after I told them they didn't have to…”
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Leaking WallsLeaks on Every Wall?
Let's Seal It From the Outside.
We'll compare interior and exterior options and give you a free written estimate.