Waterproofing

Foundation waterproofing in San Diego. Keep the water out, keep the foundation dry.

San Diego does not get a lot of rain, but when it does, hillside lots, daylight basements, and crawl spaces all see water against the stem wall. Water against a foundation does three things: it raises the moisture in expansive clay (movement), it carries fines out of the soil (voids), and it gets through cracks and cold joints into the home (mold). We address the source first, then the path, then the wall.

Waterproofing membrane being applied to a foundation stem wall before backfill on a San Diego hillside lot

What's included in this service?

  • Site grading review and corrective grading away from the foundation
  • Exterior excavation and stem wall surface prep
  • Liquid-applied or sheet membrane application on stem walls
  • Dimple board drainage layer over the membrane to relieve hydrostatic pressure
  • Footing-level perimeter drain (4-inch perforated pipe in clean stone, sleeved)
  • Daylight or sump discharge with check valve
  • Interior negative-side waterproofing where exterior access is impossible
  • Crack injection with hydrophobic polyurethane for active leaks

When do you need this service?

  • Water seeps in at the slab-stem-wall joint after heavy rain
  • Crawl space has standing water or persistent mud
  • Basement walls show efflorescence (white salt deposits)
  • Mold or musty smell at the lower level after winter rains
  • New addition where original waterproofing is being disturbed
  • Hillside lot with uphill drainage shedding toward the foundation

What do homeowners ask about Waterproofing?

Should I waterproof from the inside or outside?

Outside is always better when access exists; you stop the water before it reaches the wall. Inside (negative-side) waterproofing is for cases where the exterior cannot be excavated (a finished hardscape, a property line wall, a deep basement). Negative-side keeps the inside dry but does not stop the wall from getting wet.

Do I need a sump pump?

Only if the foundation drain cannot daylight downhill. Most San Diego County hillside lots can daylight a perimeter drain to a swale or gutter without a pump. Daylight drains have no maintenance, no power dependence, and last as long as the pipe.

Will waterproofing also fix my crack?

Stop the water from reaching the crack: yes. Repair the crack itself: needs a separate injection. We usually do both in the same visit.

How long does waterproofing last?

Sheet membranes (Bituthene, Carlisle, Mar-flex) have manufacturer warranties of 10 to 25 years. Liquid-applied (Tremco, Polyguard) similar. The drain pipe lasts as long as the pipe is not crushed (40+ years for Schedule 40, less for thin-wall corrugated).

Service area

Where do we offer Waterproofing in San Diego County?

We provide waterproofing in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.

See waterproofing in all 48 cities
Real feedback

Homeowners who hired us for this

Examples of the kind of feedback we work to earn on every job. Verified reviews from real customers live on our Google Business Profile and Yelp pages.

Cracks at our window corners had me convinced we needed major repairs. Their inspector did the level survey, mapped every crack, and told us straight up the foundation was stable old movement and we did not need underpinning. Free inspection, honest answer, no pressure.

Foundation Inspection Carlsbad

Got three quotes for foundation work. Two pushed full perimeter underpinning, Base Pro recommended four piers at the settled corner only and saved us $18,000. Engineer signed off, permit pulled, work was clean. House is solid two years later.

Helical Pier Underpinning El Cajon

Active leak through a foundation crack after the January storm. They came out, identified it as a non-structural water issue, injected hydrophobic polyurethane, and pointed out that our downspout above the crack needed an extension. Both fixes done in one visit, leak gone.

Crack Injection Encinitas
Serving San Diego County

Need waterproofing in San Diego County?

Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.