Basement waterproofing in Eau Claire

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and where the water shows up.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent waterproofing or foundation repair company that serves Eau Claire and Chippewa counties.

3. They call you back

   They inspect the basement and quote the repair directly.

Who is this for?

Homeowners, buyers and landlords in Eau Claire, Altoona, Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie and the surrounding towns of Eau Claire and Chippewa counties. Most houses here have full basements, from the poured walls and block foundations of mid-century neighborhoods to century-old stone and brick under homes near downtown and the river. If you've ever moved boxes off the floor before a spring thaw, this site is for you.

Why do basements leak in the Chippewa Valley?

Three things work against a basement here:

• Snowmelt arrives all at once. Eau Claire averages roughly 47 to 55 inches of snow a year, and January's average temperature is about 14°F. When that snowpack melts over a few warm days, often while the ground below is still frozen, water has nowhere to go but along the foundation.
• Groundwater sits close to the surface near the rivers. The city is built where the Eau Claire River joins the Chippewa River, on thick glacial outwash sand and gravel. The City of Eau Claire describes that aquifer as porous, permeable and connected to the Chippewa and other rivers. Homes on low ground near the rivers and old channels can see water push up through the floor or the joint where the wall meets the slab when water levels are high.
• Long freeze-thaw seasons. Wet soil that freezes against a foundation expands and pushes on the wall. Over many winters, that's how block walls crack along the mortar joints and start to lean in.

What are the signs of a basement problem?

• Water on the floor along one wall, or in a corner, after rain or melt
• Damp patches, peeling paint or a white chalky crust (efflorescence) on the walls
• A crack that is wider at one end, or one that leaks every spring
• A block wall with a horizontal crack or a stair-step crack through the mortar
• A sump pump that runs constantly, or a pit that stays full
• Window wells that fill with water or let it run in around the window
• A musty smell, mold on stored items, or rusting nails and appliance feet

How do waterproofing companies fix it?

Most jobs in the valley fall into a few categories, and many combine more than one:

• Interior drain tile and a sump. A perforated drain installed in a trench along the inside of the footing, leading to a sump pit. It collects water where the wall and floor meet and pumps it outside. Drain tile and sump pumps.
• Crack repair. Injecting cracks in poured concrete walls, or sealing and repairing mortar joints in block walls. Foundation crack repair.
• Wall bracing. Steel beams, wall anchors or carbon fiber straps to stabilize a wall that's bowing in. Basement wall bracing.
• Window wells and egress. New or deeper wells, drains at the bottom, covers, and code-compliant egress windows for finished basements. Window wells and egress windows.
• Exterior and drainage fixes. Excavation and membrane on the outside of the wall when it makes sense, plus grading, downspout and gutter changes. Basement waterproofing options.

Should I start with the outside of the house?

Usually, yes, and it costs little. Walk around the house during a heavy rain or a fast melt. Look for downspouts that empty right next to the foundation, soil or a patio sloping toward the house, and window wells sitting lower than the ground around them. Fixing those can shrink or solve a minor seepage problem. If water still comes in, or you see a structural crack or a leaning wall, that's the point to have a company look.

When is the busiest time of year?

Spring. Most calls in the Chippewa Valley come during snowmelt and the first heavy rains, when leaks show up all at once. Interior drain tile and crack injection can be done in winter because the work happens indoors, so getting on a schedule in fall or winter often means less waiting. Exterior excavation generally waits until the ground thaws.

Buying or finishing a basement?

Before you finish a basement, deal with any water first. Drywall and carpet hide leaks and give mold a place to grow. Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code also requires an egress window or second exit for basement bedrooms, so a finishing project often includes a new window well. If you're buying a house, look for fresh paint on only the lower part of the walls, a new dehumidifier, or boxes stored on pallets, and ask the seller directly about water.

Are you a waterproofing company?

No. Eau Claire Basement Waterproofing is a referral service. We connect you with an independent company that serves your address, and that company inspects, quotes, performs and stands behind the work. Before you sign anything, read our tips for hiring a waterproofing contractor and the Eau Claire basement waterproofing guide.

Areas we cover

• Eau Claire
• Altoona
• Chippewa Falls
• Lake Hallie

Planning ahead? Read our Eau Claire basement waterproofing guide.