Foundation Waterproofing in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Foundation Waterproofing serving Wilkes-Barre homeowners. Call (570) 555-0100 for a free estimate.
Equipment We Use for Foundation Waterproofing in Wilkes-Barre
- liquid-applied waterproofing membrane
- submersible sump pump
Serving Wilkes-Barre Homeowners
We bring professional-grade Foundation Waterproofing equipment to every job in Wilkes-Barre.
Our Foundation Waterproofing Process in Wilkes-Barre
- Sump pump installation: excavate a pit to the correct depth below the drain tile, set a perforated liner, seat the submersible pump, install a check valve on the discharge line, and route discharge well away from the foundation.
- Vapor barrier installation: clean and level the crawl space or basement floor, unroll poly sheeting, overlap seams by at least 12 inches, tape seams, and seal the perimeter to the wall with mastic.
Foundation Waterproofing Pricing for Wilkes-Barre
- interior waterproof sealant or paint: $1 – $8
- crawl space dehumidifier installation: $1000 – $2800
Wilkes-Barre Conditions That Affect Foundation Waterproofing
- Scranton averages 38.72 inches of precipitation a year with no real dry season - the wettest month is September at 4.15 inches, and August, June, and July all exceed 3.6 inches, so basement sump systems rarely get a long dry break.
- Annual snowfall averages 45.1 inches (NOAA station USW00014777, 1991-2020 normals), with January the peak at 11.7 inches and February and March close behind at 10.9 and 10.1 inches; the snow season runs October through April, and snowmelt landing on still-frozen ground drives the first significant basement-seepage events of the year.
- The dominant soil series across Lackawanna County is Lackawanna - a channery silt loam formed in glacial till derived from reddish sandstone, siltstone, and shale. The series is well drained above the fragipan but carries a dense restrictive layer starting at 17 to 36 inches below the surface where saturated hydraulic conductivity drops to low or moderately low; water perching above that pan drives lateral seepage into basements throughout the area.
Local Knowledge: Wilkes-Barre
- Scranton's housing stock reflects its anthracite coal-era origins - median year built is 1943 for single-family homes and 1938 for apartments, making much of the city's housing pre-war with older foundations, block and stone walls, and drain systems that have been in the ground for 80-plus years.
- About 46 percent of Scranton's occupied housing units are owner-occupied - 13,626 of 29,438 occupied units - while 54 percent are renter-occupied, well above Pennsylvania's 31 percent state average; basement waterproofing calls concentrate in the owner-occupied stock where the property owner has the authority and incentive to invest in long-term moisture control.
Why Wilkes-Barre Homeowners Choose Us
- Competitor gave a lower number: A quote without a written transferable warranty, sump backup, and licensed permit pull often leaves out the pieces that matter when you go to sell the house or make a claim - ask what is in writing and what is not.
- I will just use waterproof paint: Paint and surface coatings block vapor but cannot resist hydrostatic pressure - once water is pressing against the wall, a paint film delaminates and peels; coatings are maintenance, not a water-management system.
Full Foundation Waterproofing Services from Scranton
We serve Wilkes-Barre from our Scranton base. See all Foundation Waterproofing services.
Common Questions About Foundation Waterproofing in Wilkes-Barre
What is the difference between a French drain and a drain tile system?
French drain usually refers to an exterior perimeter trench filled with gravel and pipe to intercept surface and shallow groundwater; drain tile (interior or exterior) connects to a footing drain and routes water to a sump - both use perforated pipe but serve different water sources.
Do I need a dehumidifier after waterproofing?
In most basements, yes - a properly sized dehumidifier maintains relative humidity below 60 percent to prevent condensation, residual mold growth, and wood rot even after bulk water is controlled.
What is the difference between waterproofing and damp proofing?
Damp proofing is a surface-applied coating that resists moisture vapor; true waterproofing manages hydrostatic pressure and bulk water intrusion through membranes, drainage systems, and sump discharge.
How long does a waterproofing system last?
Interior drain tile with a quality sump pump typically carries a long-term transferable warranty from reputable installers; exterior membrane systems can last the life of the structure if the drainage layer is maintained.
Does basement waterproofing require a permit?
Cutting into the slab for interior drain tile or installing a sump discharge line usually requires a plumbing or building permit; exterior excavation to the footer also requires a permit in most jurisdictions - we pull whatever the local code requires.
What actually causes a wet basement?
The most common causes are hydrostatic pressure from a high water table, poorly graded soil that drains toward the foundation, clogged or absent footing drains, and cracked poured or block walls that allow lateral water migration.
- 14 years in business
- $2M liability insurance
- BBB A+
- Pennsylvania Licensed Contractor
100 Penn Ave
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 555-0100