Basement & Foundation FAQs
Your Questions, Answered Straight.
Wet basements, cracked walls, drain tile, sump pumps and more. Here are honest answers to the questions homeowners ask us most.
5 Questions
Estimates & Getting Started
Are your estimates free?
Yes. We'll look at your basement and the outside of your home, explain what we find and give you a written estimate. There's no charge and no obligation.
What happens when you come out?
We look at the walls, floor and any cracks or water marks inside, then check downspouts, grading and drainage outside. If a wall has moved, we measure it. Then we walk you through what we found.
Do I need to be home?
Yes. We need access to the basement, and it's the best time to ask questions and see what we're seeing.
Will you tell me if I don't need a big repair?
Yes. Sometimes the right fix is an extended downspout or keeping an eye on a crack. We'll tell you straight.
How do I schedule?
Call 414-425-0600, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, or request an estimate online.
6 Questions
Wet Basements & Waterproofing
Why does water come in where the floor meets the wall?
Groundwater under the slab builds pressure after heavy rain and pushes water through that seam. Drain tile that relieves the pressure is the lasting fix. See floor seepage.
How do I know if my drain tile has failed?
Water returning to the same spots after storms, seepage along the base of the walls and a sump pit that stays dry while the basement gets wet are common signs. See drain tile.
Is the white crust on my walls a problem?
That's efflorescence, minerals left behind as water evaporates out of the wall. It's harmless itself, but it means water is moving through your foundation.
Why does my basement smell musty if it looks dry?
Moisture can come through walls and floors without ever puddling. A musty smell almost always means water is getting in somewhere.
Do I need a battery backup for my sump pump?
If your basement is finished or your pump runs often, we strongly recommend one. See sump pumps and backups.
Can you waterproof from outside?
Yes. We excavate, repair the wall, apply a waterproofing membrane and add new drainage. See exterior waterproofing.
5 Questions
Cracks, Walls & Foundations
Which cracks should I worry about?
Horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks in block walls, cracks wider at one end and cracks that leak or grow. Thin vertical shrinkage cracks are usually less serious. See foundation cracks.
What does a horizontal crack mean?
In a block wall, it usually means soil pressure is pushing the wall inward. It's often the first sign of a bowing wall. See bowing walls.
Can a leaning wall be pushed back?
Walls that have moved a lot can be excavated, eased back toward plumb and reinforced. Most walls are simply braced where they are to stop further movement.
What are helical piers?
Steel shafts with screw-like plates that are turned deep into the ground and bracketed to your footing, carrying the weight of that part of the house to firmer soil. See piers and stabilization.
Why do my doors stick and floors slope?
Those can be signs of foundation settlement, especially with diagonal cracks above doors and windows. See settling foundations.
3 Questions
Egress Windows & Window Wells
Do I need an egress window for a basement bedroom?
Yes. Any basement room used for sleeping needs an emergency escape opening. See egress windows.
Why does my window well fill with water?
Usually because it can't drain: clogged gravel, no drain or nearby downspouts sending water into it. See window wells.
Will an egress window cause leaks?
Not when it's installed correctly with a sealed window and a well that drains.
6 Questions
Working With Basement Specialists
How long have you been in business?
Since 1981. We started in 1980 as Larry's Masonry, Inc. and became Basement Specialists, Inc. the following year. Learn more about us.
What areas do you serve?
Milwaukee, the North Shore, the northern suburbs and the western suburbs, including Waukesha County communities. See areas we serve.
Are your repairs warrantied?
Many of our repairs are backed by a warranty of up to 20 years. Your estimate spells out the warranty for your job.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Basement Specialists is licensed, bonded and insured.
Does insurance cover basement or foundation repairs?
Many policies exclude groundwater seepage and soil movement, but coverage varies. Check with your agent.
Do repairs need a permit?
Structural foundation repairs and new egress openings typically need a permit from your city or village. We'll tell you what applies.
Still Have a Question?
Talk to Someone Who Knows Basements.
Call us Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, or request a free estimate and ask us in person.
