How we work · Akron, OH
Our Basement Waterproofing Process, Step by Step
Our basement waterproofing process is built around one rule: find the source first, then recommend the smallest fix that will actually work. Here is exactly what happens from your first call to a dry basement.
- What to expect at each step
- What you’ll get in writing
- How we keep the price honest
The steps
Our 6-Step Process
1. Your first call or text Tell us what you’re seeing and when it happens. Photos help a lot. Sometimes we can tell you over the phone that a downspout or grading fix is worth trying first.
2. Free on-site inspection We look at the basement walls, floor, cracks, sump pit and floor drains, then walk outside to check gutters, downspouts and grading. A moisture meter shows where water is moving, even behind paint.
3. Finding the source We explain what we found in plain language: where the water is getting in, why, and what would happen if you did nothing.
4. A written estimate You get a written estimate with every option we think could work, starting with the simplest. Each line says what the work includes. Prices are estimates; we confirm the final price before any work starts.
5. The work We protect your floors and belongings, keep the work area tidy and clean up each day. Most interior jobs take one to three days.
6. Follow-up We check that everything works, show you how to maintain it and give you the warranty terms in writing.
What you won’t get
What We Don’t Do
- No pressure. The estimate is yours to keep. We don’t offer “today only” prices.
- No upsell to a system you don’t need. If a downspout fix will do, that’s what we’ll tell you.
- No vague quotes. If something isn’t written down, it isn’t included.
- No work before you’re ready. Under Ohio law you have three business days to cancel a home-solicitation sale, and we never start during that window.
Before you hire anyone
Questions to Ask Any Contractor
Whether you hire us or someone else, ask these questions:
- Where exactly is the water coming in, and how do you know?
- What is the cheapest fix that could work, and why isn’t it enough?
- What is included in the price, line by line?
- What does the warranty cover, and is it transferable?
- What maintenance will the system need?
The Ohio Attorney General also recommends getting several written estimates and checking for complaints before you sign.
What you get
What’s in Our Written Estimate
Every estimate we leave includes:
- The diagnosis: where water is entering and what’s causing it
- The options: usually two or three, from the simplest fix to the most complete
- The scope for each option: linear feet of drain, pump model and backup, discharge route, concrete work and cleanup
- What’s not included: for example drywall, carpet or permits, if they apply
- Timing: how long the job takes and when we could start
- Warranty terms for the work proposed
- Payment terms, including any deposit
If something on the estimate isn’t clear, ask. We would rather explain a line twice than have you guess.
After the job
Looking After Your System
A good waterproofing system needs very little care, but a few habits keep it working:
- Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit twice a year to test the pump.
- Keep gutters clean and downspouts extended.
- Check the discharge line in winter so it doesn’t freeze shut.
- Call us if water ever shows up in the treated area.
Start With a Free Inspection
Tell us what’s going on in your basement. We’ll find the source and give you a written estimate.