EXTERIOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING & FRENCH DRAIN

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EXTERIOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING & FRENCH DRAIN

Exterior Basement Waterproofing

Exterior Basement Waterproofing & French Drains in Maryland, Washington DC & Delaware

Not every basement water problem should be solved from the inside. In some situations, the best approach is to address the problem from the exterior.

Affordable Basement Waterproofing provides exterior waterproofing and drainage solutions throughout Maryland, Washington DC and Delaware.

Our exterior solutions may include foundation excavation, exterior wall sealing and French drain systems designed to help manage groundwater before it reaches the foundation.

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Since 1998

Licensed & Insured

MD • DC • DE

Exterior basement waterproofing and French drain installation along a foundation wall

Exterior Foundation Waterproofing & Drainage

Know When Exterior Waterproofing Is Needed

When Exterior Waterproofing May Be Needed

Exterior waterproofing may be recommended when the source of basement water is connected to conditions outside the foundation. The right solution depends on where water is entering, how the soil drains and how water moves around the property.

Water is entering through a specific exterior wall

Soil remains saturated against the foundation

Water collects near basement doors or stairways

Exterior grading directs water toward the home

Downspouts discharge too close to the foundation

Foundation walls require exterior sealing

A daylight drainage route is available

Interior waterproofing alone would not solve the source

Exterior Foundation Waterproofing

Exterior Foundation Excavation

Exterior waterproofing often begins by excavating the soil next to the affected foundation wall. This provides direct access to the exterior surface and allows the source of the water problem to be evaluated.

The excavation allows access to:

Foundation cracks
Wall penetrations
Damaged or deteriorated foundation surfaces
Existing drainage systems
Areas where water is entering the structure

Once the foundation wall is exposed, the affected area can be repaired, sealed and protected before the excavation is properly backfilled.

Exterior foundation excavation provides access to the foundation wall so waterproofing, repairs and drainage improvements can be completed at the source.

Exterior Foundation Protection

Foundation Wall Sealing & Waterproofing

Once the foundation wall is exposed, the condition of the surface can be evaluated and prepared for exterior waterproofing. The appropriate preparation and protection depends on the condition of the foundation.

Depending on the condition of the foundation, the exterior wall may be:

Cleaned
Repaired
Parged where needed
Sealed
Waterproofed
Protected with drainage material

The purpose is to reduce water penetration through the foundation wall and help direct groundwater toward the drainage system.

Exterior wall preparation and waterproofing methods vary according to the foundation material, existing conditions and the property's drainage requirements.

Exterior foundation wall being sealed and waterproofed

Exterior French drain installation along a basement foundation

Exterior French drain installation designed to collect groundwater before it reaches the foundation.

Exterior Drainage Systems

Exterior French Drain Installation

An exterior French drain can collect groundwater before it reaches the foundation and help direct water away from the basement.

A properly designed exterior drainage system may include:

Excavated drainage trench
4-inch perforated PVC pipe
Washed drainage stone
Filter fabric
Cleanouts
Proper slope
Daylight discharge
Approved drainage location

Where conditions allow, we generally prefer a properly designed PVC drainage system rather than lightweight fabric-covered drain products that can become restricted over time.

Exterior Drainage Design

Proper Drainage Trench Design

The size and depth of the drainage trench matter. A properly designed trench provides enough space for groundwater to move through the drainage stone and enter the drainage pipe efficiently.

The drainage system should also be installed with enough slope to help carry collected water toward the designated discharge point.

Adequate trench width

Appropriate trench depth

Sufficient drainage stone

Properly positioned drainage pipe

Consistent drainage slope

Suitable discharge location

Exact trench dimensions depend on the property, foundation depth, soil conditions, drainage requirements and available discharge options.

Exterior Water Management

Exterior Sump Pump Systems

Some properties do not have enough natural slope for a gravity discharge. In those situations, an exterior sump pump system may be needed to collect water and move it away from the home.

Exterior sump pump systems can provide a controlled method of collecting and discharging groundwater when a gravity-fed drainage route is not practical.

Drainage pipe

Exterior sump basin

Sump pump

Discharge piping

Underground discharge line

Safe exterior termination point

The appropriate system depends on site conditions, drainage requirements, available discharge locations and the amount of water that needs to be moved.

Surface Water Management

Grading Around the Foundation

Poor grading is one of the most common causes of water collecting near a home.

The soil around the foundation should generally direct surface water away from the structure.

Low areas or depressions next to the house can allow water to remain against the foundation during heavy rain.

Why Grading Matters: Correcting drainage slopes and low areas around the foundation may reduce the amount of surface water reaching the basement and help limit water exposure around the foundation walls.

Roof Water Management

Downspout Drainage

Roof runoff can place a large amount of water directly next to the foundation.

Downspouts should discharge far enough away from the home to prevent water from collecting against the basement walls.

Downspout extensions

Underground downspout piping

Solid PVC drainage lines

Daylight discharge

Pop-up emitters where appropriate

Downspout water should generally be kept separate from perforated foundation drainage piping unless the system is specifically designed for that purpose.

Waterproofing Options

Exterior Waterproofing vs. Interior Waterproofing

Exterior and interior waterproofing systems solve water problems in different ways. The appropriate approach depends on where water is coming from, the condition of the foundation and the drainage options available at the property.

Exterior Solution

Exterior Waterproofing

Exterior work attempts to reduce or redirect water before it penetrates the foundation.

Foundation excavation
Foundation sealing
Exterior drainage
Grading improvements
Downspout improvements

Interior Solution

Interior Waterproofing

Interior waterproofing manages groundwater after it reaches the foundation and directs it into a drainage system and sump pump.

Interior drainage trench
Perforated PVC pipe
Weep holes
Wall drainage
Sump pump

In some homes, one method is clearly more appropriate. In others, a combination of interior and exterior drainage may provide the most effective solution for managing basement water.

Basement stairway Speedy Drain before and after exterior drainage installation

Exterior Entryway Drainage

Basement Stairway & Exterior Door Drainage

Exterior basement stairs and areaways can collect large amounts of rainwater. Without proper drainage, this water can collect near basement doors and increase the risk of water entering the home.

Speedy Drain systems
Channel drains
Stairway drains
Drainage pipe connections
Exterior grading
Connection to an interior waterproofing system where appropriate

Properly designed stairway drainage can help collect surface water before it reaches the basement entrance and, where appropriate, connect with the home's overall waterproofing and drainage system.

Window well drain installation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, showing the drainage connection from the exterior window well into the interior basement waterproofing system.

Exterior Window Drainage

Window Well Drainage

Window wells can collect water rapidly during storms. Without proper drainage, water can build up around the window opening and increase the risk of basement water intrusion.

A window well drainage system can be connected to the interior waterproofing system so water is directed away from the window opening.

Proper window well drainage can help control stormwater around below-grade windows while working together with the home's overall basement waterproofing system.

Exterior Waterproofing in Maryland

Affordable Basement Waterproofing provides exterior waterproofing and drainage solutions throughout Maryland, including:

Anne Arundel County
Prince George's County
Baltimore County
Baltimore City
Montgomery County
Howard County
Harford County
Surrounding Maryland communities

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Serving Washington DC

Exterior Waterproofing in Washington DC

Exterior Drainage & Foundation Waterproofing

We provide exterior drainage, foundation sealing, French drains and related waterproofing services throughout Washington DC.

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Exterior Waterproofing in Delaware

Affordable Basement Waterproofing also provides exterior drainage and foundation waterproofing services throughout Delaware.

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Exterior Drainage • Foundation Sealing • French Drains

Why Choose Affordable Basement Waterproofing

A Waterproofing Solution Based on Your Home

We have specialized in basement waterproofing since 1998.

Our goal is to determine the actual source of the water before recommending the repair.

Depending on the property, the right solution may involve exterior work, interior drainage, or a combination of both.

Solutions We May Recommend

Since 1998

Exterior excavation
Foundation sealing
French drains
Downspout drainage
Grading
Interior drainage
Sump pumps
Interior & exterior solutions

The right repair depends on the property. The waterproofing system should be based on the home's foundation, drainage conditions, water source and available discharge options rather than using the same system for every property.

Exterior Waterproofing

Schedule an Exterior Waterproofing Inspection

If water is collecting against the foundation, entering around a basement door, coming through a window well or saturating an exterior wall, schedule an inspection so the drainage problem can be evaluated.

Maryland • Washington DC • Delaware

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