Basement Waterproofing in West Los Angeles
Basement waterproofing keeps rain and groundwater out of rooms built below the soil line. You need it when basement walls turn damp after rain, white deposits form on the concrete or the space smells musty. Absolute Maintenance & Consulting seals the cracks and joints, then waterproofs the inside or outside of the wall. Projects start at $2,275, after an inspection that costs $375 to $775.
Schedule a basement waterproofing inspection or call (310) 678-4345.
Licensed California contractor (CSLB #998184) · IICRC-certified firm (#70018676) · 4.8 stars, 180+ reviews across Google, Yelp, and BBB
Quick links: What it involves Signs Process Cost FAQs
Need basement waterproofing? We find where the water enters before we seal anything.
What Basement Waterproofing Involves
Basement waterproofing is one part of our waterproofing work: we close the openings water uses, then add a barrier to one side of the wall. The openings are cracks, the joint where the wall meets the floor and small holes left from construction. The same work protects other subterranean spaces, such as a lower level built into a slope or a garage below grade.
Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing seals the side of the wall that faces the soil, so water stops before it reaches the concrete. It’s usually the stronger choice, and it means digging along the wall.
Interior Basement Waterproofing
Interior waterproofing seals the inside face of the wall with a coating made to hold back water pushing from behind. It’s the practical choice when the outside can’t be reached, such as a wall on a property line or under a driveway. Because it manages water that has already reached the wall, we still look for outside sources we can fix.
Signs You Need Basement Waterproofing
The clearest signs are damp walls after rain, white chalky deposits on the concrete and a musty smell that gets stronger in wet weather. Also watch for:
- Peeling or bubbling paint on basement walls
- Water along the joint where the wall meets the floor
- Mold or mildew on stored boxes or the bottom of walls
- Cracks that darken or seep during storms
Our guide on getting rid of a musty smell in your basement explains where that odor comes from, even when there’s no standing water.
Damp walls or a musty smell? Book a basement waterproofing inspection before the next storm.
Our Basement Waterproofing Process
We map the moisture, find where water enters, choose the side to waterproof, seal the openings, apply the system and recheck. Interior work takes less time than exterior work, which means digging, waterproofing and refilling along the wall.
1. Inspection and Moisture Mapping
We measure moisture across the walls and floor, including areas that look dry. Thermal imaging shows wet spots without opening anything up.
2. Finding Where the Water Enters
We trace the moisture back to its entry point: a crack, a joint, the uphill wall or surface water collecting outside. That entry point decides the fix.
3. Choosing Interior or Exterior Waterproofing
We recommend the side that fits the wall, the access and the source. You get a written estimate before work begins.
4. Sealing Cracks and Joints
With the side chosen, we clean out and seal cracks, the wall-to-floor joint and old construction holes so the system has a solid surface.
5. Applying the Waterproofing System
We apply a membrane on the soil side and protect it before the soil goes back, or a concrete coating on the inside face.
6. Final Moisture Check
At the end, we take moisture readings again and compare them to the first ones. We dry or repair anything inside that needs it.
How Much Does Basement Waterproofing Cost?
Basement waterproofing costs $2,275 to $2,600 for a small project and $3,000 to $10,000 for a medium one, after an inspection that costs $375 to $775.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Inspection (about 15 to 20 minutes, infrared camera) | $375 to $575 |
| Detailed Inspection (up to about 1 hour, one home up to 3,000 sq. ft.) | $575 to $775 |
| Small project (up to 3,000 sq. ft.) | $2,275 to $2,600 |
| Medium project (3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft.) | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Large project (10,000 to 50,000 sq. ft.) | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Large waterproofing project | $50,000 to $150,000+ |
Exterior work that needs digging costs more than sealing from inside, and so do extra cracks and damaged finishes. Homeowners policies generally treat waterproofing as maintenance, so insurance usually doesn’t pay for it; sudden water damage is a separate claim.
Water testing isn’t included in inspection prices. When we do the work, the fee for a Basic or Detailed Inspection is credited toward the cost of the work. Multi-Unit / Larger Property Inspection fees and water testing fees are not credited. Your final price comes in a written estimate after the inspection.
Call (310) 678-4345 to schedule an inspection, or email photos of the basement to info@leakmoldrepair.com with your name, property address and a brief description.
Your inspection fee is credited toward the basement waterproofing when we do the work.
Why Choose Absolute for Basement Waterproofing?
Homeowners hire us because we find the entry point before we pick a system.
We Find the Source First
Our specialty is finding and repairing leaks from exterior sources, so we confirm where water enters before we choose a system.
Licensed, Certified and 30+ Years in Business
We’re a licensed California contractor (CSLB #998184), an IICRC-certified firm (#70018676) and a MICRO Certified Firm, with more than 30 years in business. Our founder, Cameron Figgins, has more than 30 years of hands-on experience with water intrusion in Southern California homes.
Licensed, IICRC-certified basement waterproofing in West LA and Culver City.
Basement Waterproofing FAQs
Can basement waterproofing fix foundation cracks?
Basement waterproofing seals cracks against water, which stops seepage through them. It doesn’t fix a structural problem, and sealing a crack that’s still moving only hides the movement. If a crack is wide, growing or uneven from one side to the other, we’ll recommend a structural engineer’s review before we seal it.
Why does my basement only leak when it rains?
A basement that leaks only when it rains is taking water from outside. Rain soaks the soil around the basement, and the wet soil pushes water through cracks, joints and porous concrete. When the soil dries out, the leak seems to stop. The entry point is still there for the next storm.
Is basement waterproofing worth it?
Basement waterproofing is worth it when water is getting in. Each storm repeats the damage to finishes and stored belongings and keeps the walls damp enough for mold. Sealing the entry point ends that cycle.
Still have questions? Our experts are here to help.
Book a Basement Waterproofing Inspection
Schedule an inspection or call (310) 678-4345. We serve West Los Angeles, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Bel Air.
We find where the water gets in, seal it and document the work.