Basement Waterproofing in West Michigan
A wet basement is a symptom. The cause might be rain pooling beside the house, a downspout dumping at the foundation, a crack, water rising from under the slab, or a sump pump that can't keep up. Finney's Waterproofing starts by finding the cause, then recommends the fix that matches it. Not a one-size-fits-all package. Inspections and estimates are free.
Signs Your Basement Needs Attention
• Water on the floor after rain or snowmelt, or damp spots along the wall and floor joint
• White, chalky residue on block or concrete (efflorescence, which means water is moving through the wall)
• A musty smell, peeling paint, or bubbling on the lower wall
• Rust at the bottoms of steel posts, the furnace, or the water heater
• Stains on stored boxes, or carpet that never fully dries
• A sump pump that runs constantly, or not at all
What We Do
We handle all of this ourselves, in-house:
• Interior drain tile with a sump. A drainage system along the inside perimeter of the basement collects water and sends it to a sump pit and pump. See Sump Pumps (/sump-pumps).
• Exterior excavation and waterproofing. When the fix belongs on the outside of the wall, we dig down and waterproof the soil side of the foundation.
• Wall crack repair. Where a crack is how the water gets in, we repair it and deal with the water source too. See Foundation Crack Repair (/foundation-crack-repair).
Sump pumps with battery backup, so you're not relying on the power grid during a storm.
• French drains and downspout extensions to move water away from the house. See Drainage & French Drains (/drainage-french-drains).
Wall stabilization when pressure has pushed a wall out of shape. See Structural & Foundation Repair (/structural-foundation-repair).
And if the answer is a simple downspout fix instead of a full system, we'll tell you that.
Interior vs. Exterior Waterproofing, in Plain English
Interior systems manage water after it reaches the foundation. They collect it at the footing and send it to a sump pump. They typically avoid digging up the yard.
Exterior waterproofing works on the outside of the wall: we excavate, waterproof, and drain the soil side. It's more disruptive and usually costs more because of the digging, but sometimes it's the right call.
Which one fits depends on your foundation type (poured, block, or stone), what's outside the wall, and how the water is getting in. We'll explain which makes sense for your house and why.
What Affects the Cost
Cost depends on how much of the basement is involved, the foundation type, access, whether a sump pump is needed (or already installed), and whether outside drainage is part of the cause. We'll look at the house first, explain your options, and talk through pricing at your free estimate.
Basement Waterproofing FAQ
Why does my basement leak when it rains?
Rain soaks the soil around the foundation. If that water can't drain away, it builds pressure against the wall and floor and finds a way in: through cracks, the joint where the wall meets the floor, tie holes, or porous block. Poor grading, short downspouts, and clogged gutters make it worse.
Is it condensation or a leak?
Tape a square of aluminum foil tightly to the wall for a day or two. Moisture on the outside of the foil is condensation from humid air. Moisture under the foil is coming through the wall. Either way it's worth fixing, but the fix is different.
Will painting or sealing the wall from the inside stop it?
Usually not for active leaks. Paint and sealers can hold back light dampness, but water under pressure tends to push them off. A lasting fix deals with where the water goes.
How long does a job take?
It depends on the scope. A sump pump replacement is a different job than a full perimeter system or an exterior excavation. We'll give you a schedule at your free estimate.
Does homeowners insurance cover basement water?
Many standard policies exclude groundwater seepage and may cover only some sudden discharge events. Coverage varies, so check your policy and ask your agent. We can't advise on your coverage.
Is there a warranty?
Yes. We offer a 25-year transferable warranty. The details depend on the work, and we'll go over them at your estimate.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes. Inspections and estimates are free.
Why Homeowners Call Finney's
• Licensed and insured (#252500124)
• Serving West Michigan since 2023
• 25-year transferable warranty. The details depend on the work. We'll go over them with you at your free estimate.
Free inspections and estimates
• Fair pricing with integrity and attention to detail on every project
We do the work ourselves, in-house. Phone hours are Monday through Friday, 7am to 5pm, and we're closed on holidays. You can also email us at finneyswaterproofing@gmail.com.
Call or Request a Free Estimate
Call 231-531-2905 or request a free estimate.
