Exterior Foundation Waterproofing in Metro Detroit
Dig to the footing, seal the wall, drain the base. The most complete way to keep water off a foundation wall.
- 4.9 on Google (46 reviews)
- Licensed MI builder #262400278
- Free inspection, written price first
- Free 6-month check-up after every job
- Based in Farmington Hills
Exterior waterproofing, in short
Exterior foundation waterproofing stops water on the outside of the wall, before it reaches the basement. We dig down to the footing, clean the wall, apply a waterproofing coating and drainage membrane, set a drain at the base, then backfill and restore the grade so water runs away from the house.
Signs exterior waterproofing may help
- Water seeping through basement walls
- Cracks in foundation walls or exterior brick
- Damp spots or discoloration on basement walls
- Water pooling outside the home after rain
- Musty odors that stay after interior fixes
How exterior foundation waterproofing works
We inspect the outside first to find where water is getting through, then dig along those sections of the foundation down to the footing. The wall is cleaned and dried, cracks are repaired, and the waterproofing goes on. A drain at the base of the wall carries water away instead of letting it sit against the footing. Then we backfill, restore the grade, and check that the ground and the downspouts send water away from the house.
Exterior vs interior basement waterproofing
Interior systems collect water after it has come through the wall and pump it out. Exterior waterproofing keeps it off the wall in the first place. Exterior is more work, because it means digging, but it protects the wall itself.
Compare with interior basement waterproofing →
Book your free exterior waterproofing inspection
We come out, find the cause, and give you a written quote. Call 248-635-3767 or request a visit online.
- 4.9 on Google (46 reviews)
- Licensed MI builder #262400278
- Free inspection, written price first
- Free 6-month check-up after every job
- Based in Farmington Hills
When exterior waterproofing is worth the digging
- The wall itself is taking on water, not just the wall-floor joint
- There is structural repair to do on the same wall
- The basement is finished and you do not want the inside opened up
- Cracks keep reopening after being sealed from the inside
If none of those apply, an interior system or an outside drainage fix may be enough, and we will tell you.
How the work goes
Why customers call Swift Dry
- Keeps water off the foundation wall
- Structural repair and sealing on the same dig
- Nothing to open up inside a finished basement
- Grade restored so water runs away from the house
What you get with every job
Before you let anyone into your basement, you should know what you are signing up for. Here is what every Swift Dry customer gets.
Warranty terms are set job by job; when one applies, it is written into your quote.
- A free inspection, inside and out
- We look at the basement and the ground around the house to find where the water or movement starts. No charge and no obligation.
- A written scope and price first
- You get the work, the walls involved and the price in writing before anything starts. If a smaller fix will do, we say so and quote that.
- A licensed, insured Michigan builder
- Swift Dry is a licensed and insured Michigan Residential Builder Company, license 262400278. You can look it up on the state's LARA search.
- A free check-up about six months later
- After the work is done, we come back for a free visit to check it. Every job gets one.
- Financing if you want it
- Three financing options on your quote, with pre-approval on request.
Articles on exterior waterproofing
- Why water gets into your basement during a winter thawWhy basements leak during a Michigan thaw, the three usual ways water gets in, what a musty smell or a floor crack means, and what to fix before winter.
- Stair-step cracks in block basement walls: what they meanWhat a stair-step crack in a block basement wall tells you, how to read settling versus soil pressure, what to measure, and when it needs repair.
- Foundation cracks: when to worry before the ground freezesWhich foundation cracks are cosmetic and which need a look before winter, why Michigan foundations crack, and what frost and clay soil do to a cracked wall.
What Metro Detroit homeowners say
Rated 4.9 on Google from 46 reviews. Read the reviews.
Good questions, straight answers
What is exterior foundation waterproofing and when is it needed?
Swift Dry digs down to the footing, seals the foundation wall from the outside, adds drainage at the base and regrades the soil so water leaves the wall. It is the more complete fix when water is being pushed through the wall by wet soil, and the free inspection tells us whether your house needs it.
How is exterior different from interior waterproofing?
Exterior systems stop water before it reaches the wall and are the more complete fix, but they involve digging. Interior systems collect water once it reaches the wall and are less disruptive. Which is right depends on where the water enters, what the foundation is built of, how much room there is to dig and whether structural work is needed at the same time.
Get your free exterior waterproofing inspection
Honest quote, no obligation. Serving Metro Detroit from Farmington Hills.
- 4.9 on Google (46 reviews)
- Licensed MI builder #262400278
- Free inspection, written price first
- Free 6-month check-up after every job
- Based in Farmington Hills