How Much Does It Cost to Waterproof a Basement?

Architectural
Carrie Powers
Carrie Powers
February 19, 2025
4 min
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The strength, durability, and safety of buildings and homes depend on proper waterproofing of the basement floors and walls. A concrete basement waterproofing system requires a waterproofing membrane and dimple drainage board to keep water and soil away from the below-grade structure.

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Without effective waterproofing, porous basement concrete can crack from water pressure or the structure settling, allowing groundwater, contaminated soil vapors, and insects to enter the home or building.
 

How Much Does it Cost to Waterproof a Basement?
 

The cost of waterproofing a basement varies nationally, but can range between $2,000 and $7,000 on average. However, most homeowners pay around $5,000 to fully waterproof their basements, crawl spaces, and foundation.

Don’t hesitate to contact our Polyguardl® professionals for a waterproofing quote for your basement with Polyguard® Building Envelope Solutions.
 

How much does basement waterproofing cost based on square and linear foot size?
 

Waterproofing experts often determine how much does it cost to waterproof your basement based on the square footage. However, on average, you will pay between $3.50 and $8 ft2, which includes materials and labor. For instance, waterproofing a 500 ft2 basement will cost between $1,750 - $4,000.

How much does waterproofing a basement cost based on linear foot? If you choose to waterproof your basement by laying a weeping tile, baseboard channels, or a French drain around the basement perimeter, the installer will charge by linear foot. Waterproofing your basement cost by this method is an average of $85 per linear foot.
 

How much does it cost to have a basement waterproofed based on where you live?
 

To have your basement waterproofed can vary significantly based on your location. For instance, waterproofing contractors are in high demand in flood-prone areas, which increases labor prices.
 

The cost to get a basement waterproofed depends on the waterproofing method.
 

Waterproofing Paint
 

Water soaking through concrete basement walls can leave them wet, which requires sealing the interior basement walls with high-quality waterproof paint. The cost of Interior basement waterproofing varies from $2 to $6 ft2.
 

Liquid Membrane Waterproofing
 

For exterior applications, liquid waterproofing membranes prevent water from infiltration through the basement walls. The cost to waterproof a basement exterior using liquid membrane waterproofing - on average, is $4.50 ft2, including materials and labor.
 

Sheet Membrane Waterproofing
 

Wrapping sheet membranes around the foundation and walls stops water from seeping through; however, this method requires relatively costly skilled labor. The cost to have the basement waterproofed with sheet membrane waterproofing is an average of $5 ft2.
 

Interior and Exterior Drains
 

Installing interior or exterior drains around the basement perimeter will gather and transfer water to a sump pump or another drainage system away from the building. However, easy-to-install exterior drains cost $25 per linear foot, while interior drains cost $85 per linear foot.
 

The Cost of Not Waterproofing Your Basement
 

How much does it cost to waterproof basement walls? The better question is, how much does it cost not to waterproof your basement walls? Not sufficiently waterproofing basement walls will significantly negatively impact your building’s integrity, increase long-term maintenance and repair costs, and can lead to the following basement moisture-related problems:

  • Cracks in the walls
  • Structurally damaging and unhealthy mold
  • Unpleasant smells in the basement
  • Crystalline deposit of salts (efflorescence) on basement walls or floor
  • Outward or Inward bowing walls
  • Damage to the interior flooring

Polyguard® Quality Basement Waterproofing Solutions
 

Polyguard® Building Envelope Solutions offers residential and architectural waterproofing products to effectively protect basement walls and floors from the exterior and interior from water infiltration.
 

Residential Basement Waterproofing
 

Polyguard® provides superior residential waterproofing basement products to protect against moisture and air infiltration, and contribute to a home's health, safety, and long-term integrity and value. Polyguard® offers two types of basement waterproofing systems: liquid and membrane.
 

Stretch Flex Liquid Waterproofing
 

Builders can use Stretch Flex Liquid Waterproofing on below-grade CMU, poured concrete, precast concrete, and other vertical foundation surfaces exposed to hydrostatic pressure.

Home Stretch™ 40 Mil Membrane
 

Builders can use Home Stretch™ 40 Mil Membrane for insulated concrete form (ICF), CMU, and poured concrete foundation walls. It offers the best way to waterproof exterior basement walls.

Architectural Basement Waterproofing
 

Polyguard® architectural basement waterproofing products include membranes for post-applied and pre-applied applications, including fluid and sheet-applied products. The design of Polyguard® products stands up to the most challenging conditions and protects concrete basement walls from water and contaminant infiltration due to imperfections in the concrete.
 

Post-Applied 650 Sheet Membrane
 

Polyguard® self-adhesive 650 Sheet Membrane applies post concrete pour on concrete block, ICF, and wood structures, including foundation walls, mud slabs, sills and spandrel beams, tunnels, plaza decks, parking garages.
 

Stretch Flex for Below-Grade Exterior Waterproofing
 

Single component, cold liquid-applied, elastomeric Stretch Flex coating cures to form a durable waterproofing membrane that can bridge substrate shrinkage cracks up to 1/16 of an inch. The design of Stretch Flex allows easy spray application to below-grade exterior waterproofing of concrete, precast concrete, CMU foundations, and other structural surfaces on the hydro-positive side.
 

Pre-Applied Blindside Membrane
 

Tough, 73-mil Blindside™ Membrane waterproofing membrane/vapor barrier installs pre-concrete pour on foundations walls requiring vertical (and in certain horizontal applications), positive-side waterproofing.
 

Post-Applied 650 PRM - Puncture Resistant Membrane
 

Strong, self-adhering, 65-mil, 650 PRM post-concrete pour sheet waterproofing membrane/vapor retarder applies horizontally and vertically. It contains a double thick, high-strength, co-extruded backing laminated to a thick rubberized asphalt compound that forms a continuous water and vapor barrier.
 

Post-Applied Underslab Membrane
 

Strong, 85-mil Underslab Membrane for horizontal and vertical applications eliminates water and vapor transmission through concrete foundation slabs and elevator pits.
 

650 TRM - Above-Slab Moisture Barrier
 

The peel and stick above-slab 650 TRM prevents water and termites from infiltrating concrete.
 

Polyguard® Basement Waterproofing Solutions
 

Polyguard® Building Envelope Solutions offers superior residential and architectural waterproofing products solutions for basement interior and exterior walls and floors.

For more on the cost to waterproof a basement, don't hesitate to contact our Polyguard® professionals. We can answer all your questions on pricing and which Polyguard® waterproofing product will best fit your needs.

 

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