Basement Waterproofing in Lexington, KY

What the crew fixes

These are the wet basement problems Lexington homeowners call about most.

• "There is water on the floor after every hard rain."
• "The basement leaks every spring, then dries out."
• "Water comes in where the wall meets the floor."
• "A crack in the wall leaks."
• "The walls feel damp, and there is a white crust on them."
• "The basement smells musty."
• "The sump pump runs all the time."
• "Our old stone basement is always damp."

Why Lexington basements get wet

Clay holds water like a sponge. After a long rain, the clay around a basement stays wet for days or weeks. That water has to go somewhere. It pushes on the walls and works into cracks and the joint at the floor.

The rock under Lexington adds a twist. Limestone is full of cracks and channels. Some carry water fast. Others trap it. Water can also travel along a rock layer and come out in a spot you would not expect. That is why two houses on the same street can have very different basements.

Roofs, gutters and yards add the rest. A downspout that dumps by the wall can soak one corner. A yard that slopes toward the house sends water right to the wall.

Waterproofing methods your local crew may recommend

Fix the outside first

Long downspouts and a new slope to the yard are the cheapest fixes. They can solve a leak by themselves. A good inspector checks these first.

Crack sealing

A leaking crack can be injected with epoxy or foam from the inside. This works well for poured concrete walls with one or two leaks.

Inside drain and sump pump

This is the most common fix for a wet basement. The crew cuts a channel in the floor along the walls. They lay a pipe that collects water. The pipe runs to a sump pit, and a pump sends the water outside. The floor is patched over the drain.

Outside waterproofing

The crew digs down along the outside of the wall. They coat the wall and add a drain at the footing. It costs more and needs room to dig. It can be the right choice when the wall itself needs repair.

Wall coatings and liners

Coatings help with damp walls. Plastic liners on the walls guide water down into the drain. These work with a drain, not instead of one.

Old stone and brick basements

Homes near downtown often have stone or brick walls. These need care. Old mortar can be repointed. An inside drain is often the best way to handle water without harming the wall.

What it costs

The cost table on this page shows typical ranges from the Fixr basement waterproofing guide, not a quote.

Drains are priced by the foot, so a big basement costs more than a small one. A finished basement adds cost, because walls and carpet may need to come out. A battery backup pump adds cost too, but it keeps working when the power goes out in a storm.

What a good waterproofing inspection covers

• A walk of every wall, looking for water stains, cracks and white crust.
• A check of the joint where the wall meets the floor.
• A look at the sump pump and floor drains, if you have them.
• A check of gutters, downspouts and window wells.
• A look at how the yard slopes, and at any sinkhole nearby.
• A check for wall movement, so a drain does not hide a bigger problem.
• A written plan that shows where the drain and pump go and what it costs.

Questions to ask before you sign

1. Where does the water go once it leaves the pump?
2. Is a battery backup included, or extra?
3. What happens to finished walls and floors?
4. Does the warranty cover the drain, the pump, or both?
5. Does the warranty move to the next owner?

Call (859) 681-6936 or send the short form to book a free wet basement inspection.