Basement waterproofing in Madison, WI that keeps water out after every storm and snowmelt, with a free inspection and a written price from a local crew.
✓Built on wetlandsThe City of Madison says a large part of the city was built on filled-in wetlands, and that these areas are very hard to drain. Many were built before modern storm water rules. Madison did not require storm water detention basins until 1983.cityofmadison.com
✓Ground water that risesCity staff say ground water flooding can happen in filled wetlands, especially on the isthmus, after lots of rain over many seasons, and that it hits older homes hardest. A Dane County official described it as water in the ground coming up because it has no place left to go.govtech.com
✓Lakes held highLake Mendota sits about 5 feet above its natural level because of the Tenney Lock and Dam, according to UW-Madison lake scientists. In 2018, high lakes left little room for storm water, and flooding reached basements in low areas.blog.limnology.wisc.edu
✓Rain and snowMadison gets about 37 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with about 52 inches of snowfall, based on 1991 to 2020 normals. Snowmelt in March and April soaks the soil right when the ground is thawing.climatology.nelson.wisc.edu
What it costs
Typical published ranges for Madison. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.
Few things feel worse than walking downstairs to a wet floor. In Madison, it is one of the most common calls there is. Water shows up at the edge of the floor, seeps through a crack, drips from a window well or rises up through the floor drain.
The good news is that almost every wet basement can be made dry. The trick is finding where the water comes from and giving it a better place to go. That is what the free inspection is for.
Does this sound like your basement?
These are the things Madison homeowners tell us, in their own words:
"Water comes in where the wall meets the floor."
"There is a wet line along the bottom of the wall after it rains."
"My basement floods in spring when the snow melts."
"Water seeps through a crack in the wall."
"The window well fills up and leaks in."
"My sump pump runs all the time, or it quit."
"There is white powder on the walls and it smells musty down here."
"We live near the lake and the basement gets water when the lakes are high."
Why Madison basements get wet
The water table is high. Much of Madison, and most of the isthmus, sits on filled marsh. A UW-Madison geology professor says the water table here is not very deep to begin with. After a wet year, it rises, and water pushes in through the floor joint and cracks.
The lakes are part of it. Ground water near the shore rises and falls with the lakes. When Lake Monona hit 100-year flood levels in 2018, water came up through storm sewers on the isthmus.
Snowmelt and frost. Madison gets about 52 inches of snow a year. When it melts, the top of the soil is often still frozen, so water runs along the frozen layer and down the side of your basement wall.
Old walls with no drains. Many older homes have stone or block walls with no drain tile and no outside waterproofing. The Wisconsin Historical Society notes that old stone walls let water in when the ground slopes toward the house, when gutters dump at the wall, and when there is no waterproofing below grade.
How a local crew fixes it
The inspector looks at where the water enters, the grade of your yard, your gutters, your sump pit and your walls. Then they recommend one fix or a mix.
Inside drain tile and a sump pump
The crew cuts a strip of concrete along the inside edge of the basement floor, lays a drain pipe in gravel and covers it with new concrete. Water that comes in at the floor joint or up from below flows to a sump pit, and a pump sends it outside. This is the most common fix for Madison basements because it works with high ground water instead of fighting it.
Wall membranes
A plastic sheet goes up on the inside of the wall and drains into the floor drain tile. It keeps water that weeps through block or stone walls off your floor.
Crack injection
Cracks in poured concrete walls are filled with a foam or epoxy that seals the crack all the way through. This works well for one or two leaking cracks. See foundation crack repair.
Outside waterproofing
The crew digs down along the outside of the wall, cleans it, puts on a waterproof coating and adds a drain at the footing. This is the most complete fix and the most costly. It is sometimes the right choice for a finished basement or an old stone wall.
The outside basics
Gutters that dump at the wall and yards that slope toward the house send gallons of water at your basement. Longer downspouts and better grading are often part of the plan, and they are the cheapest part.
Where your sump water can go
The City of Madison says sump pumps, downspouts and yard drains may drain to a nearby city storm sewer, but a right-of-way permit is needed before any hookup. Most homes drain to the yard, well away from the house. The crew should set up a drain line that does not send the water right back to your wall.
What it costs
Typical ranges are in the table on this page. Inside drain tile is priced by the foot, so a full basement costs more than one wall. Your written estimate shows the length, the pump and what is included before any work starts. See the Madison cost guide for more.
Water and wall damage go together
Water that sits against a basement wall in winter freezes and pushes. Over time, that bows block walls and loosens old stone. If your wall leans in or has a long sideways crack, ask about wall anchors at the same visit.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my basement leak when it has not rained?
In much of Madison, water comes up from below, not just in from the side. City staff say ground water rises in filled wetlands after many wet seasons, especially on the isthmus. Snowmelt and high lake levels can push it up even on a dry day.
Will sealing the walls from inside fix it?
Paint and sealers can help with damp walls, but they rarely stop real water. Water under pressure pushes paint off and comes in at the floor joint. Most lasting fixes give the water a path to a sump pump instead of trying to block it.
Inside drain or outside digging?
An inside drain is cut in along the edge of the basement floor, and it costs less and works in any season. Digging outside lets the crew seal and drain the wall from the outside, which costs more and tears up the yard. The inspector will say which fits your house.
Where can my sump pump drain in Madison?
The city says sump pumps, downspouts and yard drains may drain to a nearby city storm sewer, and that a right-of-way permit is needed before any hookup. Most pumps drain to the yard, away from the house. Ask the crew before any line goes into a floor drain.
Do I need a backup sump pump?
If your basement is finished or you are on the isthmus, it is worth asking about. Big storms can knock out power right when the pump is needed most. A battery or water-powered backup keeps it running.
How long does waterproofing take?
Most inside drain and sump jobs take one to three days. Outside digging takes longer and depends on the weather. Your written estimate should list the schedule.
Will waterproofing help with radon?
It can be part of the plan. Radon gets in through cracks in floors and walls, and about half of homes tested in Dane County had high levels. A sealed sump lid and sealed cracks help, and a radon system can often tie into the drain. Ask the crew.
Get your free basement inspection
The next big storm or the next spring melt will test your basement again. Call (608) 719-3321 or send the short form, and a local crew will call you back, usually the same day. The inspection is free, and the price comes in writing.