Basement Waterproofing Contractor Archives

January 21, 2020 by admin

Is Your Basement Dangerous?

Depending on where you live in the US, your home may or may not have a basement. This below ground area under homes is very convenient for storage and as a place to work on things or do laundry. It can also be finished into a beautiful extension of the home, often having a home theater or rec room.

Basements are more common in the Northern portions of the United States. We have been in thousands of basements in Northeast Ohio and have seen some great ones, as well as some that are very dangerous to the people living in the home. If you are in an older home, or even a newer home that might have leaks or dampness, then you could be exposed to risks and dangers in your basement that can be fixed. Here are some of the common issues.

Rotting Beams – When you have moisture in your basement, it can lead to warping of wood beams and walls. It can even lead to rotting wood over time if the wood is getting damp enough. While in the short term this is not an issue, over a longer period of time, it can cause significant danger to the structure of the home.

Black Mold – Any mold and mildew is not pleasant and can damage your belongings. Black mold is actually toxic to humans and is dangerous for a family living in a home with it. Sometimes it is out in the open, and other times it can be behind walls or in ceilings when things are damp. If you are not sure about mold or mildew, call a specialist to take a look. Basement waterproofing companies can assess the risk but they might not be experts on different types of risks. Always work with someone who has a lot of experience.

Insects – Insects attract other insects. Keeping your basement dry and clean will minimize the insects in your home. The last thing you want is carpenter ants eating your support beams or brown recluse spiders nesting in your walls. Reducing these risks begins with reducing the moisture and food sources for these pests, and call an exterminator if you see insects in any significant number.

Flooding – If your basement floods, there are all kinds of dangers. You can have electrical shorts. You can have damage to walls and belongings. You can have moisture that will keep things damp, making rot, softness, insects and mold all more common. The best way to not have this kind of issue it to take care of small leads before they cause a floor.

Foundation Collapsing – Bowing basement walls is a major danger. At any time, a wall that is bowing or damaged can simply collapse. Since the basement walls support the house, this puts the whole house at risk and is dangerous to be around for anyone. If you have bowing basement walls, call a basement waterproofing company that also does foundation repair right away.

Pioneer Basement Solutions is a NE Ohio basement waterproofing company with over 40 years of experience waterproofing basements and repairing home foundations. If you have any water or foundation problems with your Ohio basement, give us a call today and we will get it inspected.

exterior basement waterproofing or interior basement waterproofing?

March 21, 2017March 24, 2017 by Ron Lee

Wet Basement? What is the Cause and Best Solution?

Ever wonder what causes a wet basement or what the best solution is? Having a wet basement and trying to figure out the best solution can be quite stressful to a homeowner. First of all, lets discuss what causes a wet basement. To put it simply, there are two sources of basement seepage; ground water and surface water. How can you tell the difference between the two?

Some basements may have wet walls, which includes moisture on more than just the bottom row of block. This is an indication of water getting into the foundation from surface water activity. The best way to dry out the basement in this case is to restore the waterproofing seal on the outside of the basement walls by installing an exterior basement waterproofing system.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing

On the other hand, if your basement walls are dry but there is seepage where the floor and wall meet, it is most likely a ground water problem under the foundation. You may notice heaved floor cracks or discoloration in the cement. When ground water builds up under a basement floor, the best way to fix a wet basement in this case is with interior sub floor footer drains. This allows diversion of the water before it builds up to floor level.

Interior Basement Waterproofing

How Can You Find the Right Contractor?

Look for a basement waterproofing contractor that offers all methods of basement waterproofing. Beware of companies that tell you that there is only one way to fix a wet basement. They may claim to be a full service waterproofing company, yet they only offer their “patented system” and tell you that this is the best and only option. Many of these companies claim to be full service. They train their sales force to review the options they don’t actually install in a way that would cause you to say you do not want them, such as exaggerating the cost or minimizing the benefits.

There is no “one size fits all” solution that works for everyone. Each type of basement waterproofing system works differently so it is important to know what the cause of your issue is.

Call Pioneer Basement Solutions for a zero-obligation quote and basement evaluation. We can offer a no-nonsense solution to fix your wet basement. We do not use pushy sales techniques nor try to use scare tactics in order to intimidate homeowners. Contact us today and learn more about fixing your wet basement permanently and correctly!

June 9, 2016February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Basement Waterproofing Company Reviews, What To Look For

Searching for basement waterproofing company reviews may not result in a clear picture. So how do you know which basement waterproofing companies will be a good fit for your basement problems? As in any business there are different models out there. There is the sales and marketing organization that offers a product or service, usually “unique to only them”. There is the one trick pony that touts “there is only one way to fix a problem”. There is the cafeteria style offering many options to choose from. Then of course there are variations in size and age: working out of the home to national franchise and newbie to decades old.

The sales and marketing organization basement waterproofing company usually trains a team of sales people (we’re skipping the marketing team that gets the sales person in your door for sake of this conversation) on just enough of a few things to be convincing when selling their unique system. Funny thing is, every customer they meet is a perfect fit for their unique system. So they sell that system to every customer regardless of the need. And there is the agreement the company had to sign on a corporate level to sell that system…and only that system to every customer. If you hear “franchise” or “national” you know you are dealing with this type of company.

The one trick pony basement waterproofing company is similar in nature to the sales and marketing organization in that they sell the same thing to every customer they meet. After all, there is only one way to really fix the problem…right? Why then do you get different opinions from each company? Confusing to most people without construction knowledge. The truth is there are different types/ sources of basement water seepage and they require different solutions.

So if you have wet basement walls, the outside solution will stop water from entering the foundation. But the interior system company says that by draining all the water from the bottom that will dry out the foundation…problem, solved a lot cheaper and easier. But the water is still going through your foundation to get to the drain.

If you have ground water under your floor, installing drainage under your floor will stop the water from ever building up again. But sealing the walls on the outside is the “right way to fix it” according to some. Problem is new drains on the outside of the foundation will not get the water building up under the basement floor and no company will guarantee it will.

The cafeteria style basement waterproofing company will offer exterior only, interior only, combinations of both etc… BUT BEWARE there are companies in the other categories that want to look like a cafeteria style so they walk you through the different solutions in a way that manipulates you to believe their “system” is the best one. Common sense tells most homeowners if they have wet basement walls the best way fix that is to stop the seepage on the outside. But they also have areas where water is seeping in at the floor level that is behind a garage or front porch, enclosed patio and you are not going to tear those out! this is where combining solutions makes sense. Or maybe all walls are dry and the original seal to the foundation does not need to be redone. or maybe there is evidence of water under the basement floor.

So when looking through basement waterproofing company reviews you will undoubtedly look for reports like Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, The Attorney General etc… What you want to look for is actual complaint records. Organizations that give a letter grade A through F have criteria for those grades that might not align with your criteria. For example, a basement waterproofing company may have an A+ with the Better Business Bureau but have over 30 complaints. There is no excuse for a pattern of complaints whether there are 5 or 30. Read the complaints for a good idea on how companies respond.

You will be able to find basement waterproofing with not only no complaints but positive reviews as well. You will have to dig to get to them though but the search is worth the effort to get a reputable company that will solve your basement leaking, and have a record of standing behind their work.

Call Pioneer Basement Solutions for a free evaluation and project quote. Pioneer is a “cafeteria style” basement waterproofing company offering all solutions and combinations. And we use employee labor, we do not work out of the home and are not held to any restricting contract from a franchise or national agreement. Since 1979 Pioneer has a record of perfect customer service.

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved

Water under basement floor best fixed from inside

Wet basement wall best fixed from the outside

Hope this article helped you with basement waterproofing company reviews, what to look for

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March 7, 2016February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Frustrated by Comparing Basement Waterproofing Systems

Many customers tell me they are confused that they hear different recommendations from different basement waterproofing contractors and frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems. The frustration is that they feel if they interview three contractors they should have similar recommendations. The problem is they don’t. Each contractor can potentially suggest a different solution. That can be very confusing for a homeowner who isn’t familiar with the different basement waterproofing systems and how they function.

What can cause you to be frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems is most basement waterproofing contractors are set up to “sell a system”. They have a solution they like to promote, easy to train the field labor to install the same thing over and over. And it is easy to train salespeople how to sell that system. Or maybe you get a contractor that has a personal preference and they simply only want to do the one solution.

Let’s first discuss the contractor who simply has a preference for one solution. Obviously they want to have work to do so every customer they visit gets a very convincing story of why their solution is the one for them. For example, basement waterproofing contractors who only do exterior basement waterproofing tell their prospective clients that it is the only way to fix the problem “the right way”. It make sense that restoring the original basement waterproofing system would solve the problem. In a lot of cases that is true. But depending on the problem it may not be necessary. (Hang with me and we’ll look at how to diagnose your problem and point to the best fix for your basement…which is probably why you are reading this.)

Another factor that can cause you to be frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems is many basement waterproofing companies have strategically constructed a unique “system” that no one else can offer (so they say). They have a great sales pitch about how it works better than all the rest like “no clogging” “water table lowering” “super duper…”etc… and they have patents! The patented system should be a red flag. You can go to any manufacturer and have your drain pipe made a special color or shape, patent it and say no one else can offer the same thing. But its still a drain.

Many basement waterproofing companies are really good at convincing their prospects they are “full service”. They go through the routine of describing different options making two out of three either sound ridiculously expensive or inadequate. So logically their “fill in the blank SYSTEM” is the best choice. Its a card trick.

Exterior basement waterproofing with dimpled membrane

Let’s talk problem = solution. If you have wet basement walls up high at or around ground level and or signs of water running down basement walls, exterior basement waterproofing may be the solution that is best for your foundation. If you have chronic paint bubbling/ failure on your basement walls or chronically damp basement walls your best option may be exterior basement waterproofing. These are signs your original coating on the exterior of the foundation walls is failing and dampness or actual water is seeping into the foundation itself. Stopping that process from the outside is the best way to actually fix the problem. If your basement walls are dry for the most part or show signs of dampness in lower areas only, if you have water seepage up through the floor, exterior waterproofing may not be the best solution for your basement issues.

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System

Typical signs that indicate an interior basement waterproofing system would be a good solution are if you have basement floor leaks, cracks in your basement floor that are heaved up, and or water seeps in through the seam where the wall meets the floor. Interior basement waterproofing drainage installed under the basement floor relieve the “hydrostatic pressure” or water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation when the water has no where to go. There are mixed feelings from homeowners on whether waterproofing a basement from the inside actually fixes the problem. After all, water comes from outside, right? Well not all basement water seepage can be fixed from the outside. If your basement has water under the floor, interior basement waterproofing may be the only fix. Water under the floor gets stuck there with out interior drains because the inside and outside are separated by your foundation.

Some customers choose a combination of some exterior and some interior basement waterproofing systems. Maybe there is a wet wall or two that need exterior work but the wall between the basement and garage is leaking too. Or maybe there is a large enclosed patio outside, deck or the like. In these cases the garage, patio etc… block all surface water from getting to the foundation so the walls are dry. So no need to tear up the garage or pull the enclosed patio in most cases in order to end up with a smart fix by using a combination of solutions.

Hopefully thins information will help you be less frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems.

Pioneer basement solutions takes a diagnostic approach to first identify the cause of your basement’s problem(s). We will then review with you what we recommend to fix the problem along with any alternative solutions that will give you the desired result. Then the ball is in your court to choose from the basement waterproofing systems which best fits your goals and your budget.

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved

Click on logo above to read Angie’s List reviews

No need to be frustrated by comparing basement waterproofing systems!

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February 16, 2016 by Ron Lee

Sump pump battery backup system

Sump pump battery backup system now available from PumpSpy is newest addition in smart home technology

If you have a sump pump in your basement or crawl space then you have probably wondered about the need to install a sump pump battery backup system. The thought of a power outage during a heavy rain or snow melt (or even worse both!) and a sump pump that doesn’t work resulting in a flooded space is a real nightmare. Sump pumps will eventually fail simply due to mechanical issues too… and you never know when that will happen.

So how do you protect yourself from a sump pump failure whether it is a power outage or mechanical failure? Consider the PumpSpy smart sump pump battery backup system. PumpSpy’s smart backup pump is a system that constantly monitors your primary sump pump, backup pump and battery. If any problem is detected, homeowners receive alerts through text messages, email and the PumpSpy app on your phone.

So How Does it Work?

The PumpSpy battery backup sump pump uses cellular technology to constantly monitor your entire sump pump system and uses predictive maintenance to alert you of any potential problem. This is also known as “model based” condition monitoring. This method involves spectral analysis on your pump(s) current and voltage signals and then compares the measured parameters to a known and learned model of the pump(s) to diagnose various electrical and mechanical anomalies. This process of “model based” condition monitoring was originally designed and used on NASA’s space shuttle to monitor and detect developing faults in the space shuttle’s main engine.

Many people ask about how long the battery will last before needing to be replaced. Just like the battery in your car your backup battery will eventually need to be replaced, and often times we do that after our car doesn’t start! The PumpSpy monitors the battery output during routine self-testing. This information will help you to know when your battery is still okay, but is ready to be replaced. Your typical off the shelf battery backup systems do not do this… so what can happen is when you experience a pump failure your basic off the shelf system switches to battery mode but a dead battery means no back up!

In the event your primary pump fails due to a mechanical issue, the PumpSpy system automatically switches over to the backup pump allowing you the time you need to fix the problem. But again, being a smart system…the PumpSpy actually monitors the output of your primary sump pump. So you will be able to see when your pump is starting to go bad buying you the time to replace it before it fails!

Again, your typical “off the shelf” smart home / connected home products use your Wi-Fi to report data. This is great, except when there is a power outage! So when you are relaxing on a warm sunny beach somewhere and back at home there is rain on top of snow melting with a power outage, PumpSpy’s cellular technology is still alive and well giving you the data you need when you need it.

Let’s review the benefits of PumpSpy’s sump pump battery backup system

PumpSpy monitors your primary pump, backup pump and battery – testing them three times a week!
Text message, email, and PumpSpy app alerts
Smart Predictive Maintenance feature alerts you to the end of life expectancy of your primary sump pump based on its performance history
Going out of town? Great! Send alerts to your house sitter, neighbor, handyman, or whoever and however many people you like
Cellular data works when Wi-Fi doesn’t
PumpSpy has a support line where you speak to a real waterproofing expert 7:30am-7:30pm weekdays, just call the toll free number printed on the backup system
When you activate your PumpSpy Monitoring, Pioneer Basement Solutions can log into your system as a contractor and see your history, allowing us to better serve you!
PumpSpy pumps more water and lasts longer than “off the shelf” backup systems

Sump pump battery backup self monitors giving you reports on performance

Call Pioneer for more info on installing your sump pump battery backup system today!

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December 18, 2015January 15, 2016 by Ron Lee

Waterproofing a basement

When looking at options for waterproofing a basement there are only three. You can waterproof your basement from the outside, from the inside or a combination of both to some degree.

You should start by identifying what type of problem you have. Most basements have either a problem with surface water getting to the walls or ground water building up from below. The symptoms of each are quite different. For the most part surface water problems will lead to wet basement walls and ground water problems lead to wet basement floors.

If you have wet basement walls that are wet more than just at the bottom row or two you likely have a surface water intrusion into the basement wall from the outside. This causes bubbling paint, white powder on the walls, mortar rot and can lead to weakness and cracking of the foundation. Waterproofing a basement from the outside will restore the exterior seal of the basement / foundation wall preventing water and dampness from getting to it. Our multi step process starts with excavation of the basement walls to the bottom of the footer exposing the entire foundation. Next we clean the surfaces for a thorough inspection looking for weak points and cracks. We them repair the basement foundation cracks and weak points before applying a full seal coating to your basement walls. The “icing on the cake” is the unique dimpled air gap basement waterproofing membrane that is bonded to your foundation walls resulting in a guaranteed dry foundation wall. New PVC footer drains are installed with gravel and the soil is put back with a nice positive grade away from the foundation walls.

Waterproofing a basement from the outside

Exterior basement waterproofing membrane for permanently dry foundation

Note: It is very important that your roof water is directed away from the foundation. Overflowing gutters and improperly draining downspouts are major contributors to wet basements and wet basement walls.

You may not need exterior basement waterproofing if you have paint on your basement walls that is more than a year old and it still looks like it did when you painted it. Basements that leak water on to the floor through the seam where the wall meets the floor typically are a result of ground water build up. These issues may result in wet basement walls at the bottom row or two but the remainder of the wall is all or mostly dry. Waterproofing a basement from the inside may be a great option if this is your basement. In fact, if you have water under the basement floor the only way to dry that up is from the inside. Exterior drains will not get water under the floor since the foundation separates the two areas.

Level water trough installed on top of footer has no slope to drainage point and holds water

Waterproofing a basement from the inside, commonly called interior basement systems, involve drainage installed under the basement floor relieve the “hydro-static pressure” or water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation. There are many companies that offer this type of solution for wet basements but they can vary greatly in design and performance. Look out for systems that are level. Level water trough systems that are installed on top of the footer or next to the footer hold water. Only when water fills the trough can it build up movement as it seeks a level and make its way to the drain point.

Look for a system that is a true interior footer drain. A true interior footer drain is installed in a trench down next to the footer and it slopes down hill towards the drainage point, usually a sump pump system. There should be about 1/2″ fall for every 10 feet of drain pipe to promote a good flowing drain and many municipalities actually require this method.

If your basement has mostly ground water issue and some areas of the basement walls are wet, a combination of interior and exterior basement waterproofing may be a good solution. In some cases there is a wet spot on a basement wall that is not reasonably accessible from the outside. An interior waterproofing system for the wall may be a good alternative in this case. Interior basement waterproofing panels are non permeable, meaning non porous. So they will not grow mold or mildew in them and they are a vapor barrier as well. This stops any wicking or transmission of exterior dampness into your basement space and it is a permanent, maintenance free solution.

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System brightens up your space and is maintenance free!

No two basements are identical and there is no one size fits all solutions for wet basements. Be on the look out for basement waterproofing companies that have a “system” that they are promoting. Typically they are patented or the sales person says they are the only ones who install a particular product or technique. This is a marketing ploy to attempt to stand out in the crowd. The best companies will have capability to customize any solution to fit your needs and solve your wet basement problems whether waterproofing a basement from the inside or the outside.

Call Pioneer today for a free consultation with no sales pressure and no gimmicks.

Award winning service since 1979. No other basement waterproofing company has a better reputation than Pioneer when it comes to waterproofing a basement

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March 31, 2015March 20, 2017 by Ron Lee

How to fix a wet basement

Every homeowner I visit asks me, “what the is the best way to fix a wet basement?” If you have done any homework on basement waterproofing or if you have been interviewing basement waterproofing contractors you are undoubtedly getting some differing opinions.

One problem is that the industry has a reputation for having unscrupulous pushy salespeople that will camp out in your house until you sign or you throw them out. And then there are those who tell you there is only one way how to fix a wet basement which is of course the only option they offer. Some companies are a combination of both of these issues (clue: if they have a patented system then they are selling that one system to everyone regardless of if it is the best solution for you).

There are two types of basement seepage problems and each one has a different solution. There are those basements that have wet basement walls which are more than just the bottom row of block. This is an indication of water getting into the foundation from surface water activity.

Wet basement wall with efflorescence is a sign of surface water problems

You could do an internal basement waterproofing system in this case but you will still have a damp foundation. The best way to dry out the foundation in this case is to restore the waterproofing seal on the outside by installing exterior basement waterproofing. If that is not an option there are solutions that will give you a dry basement such as full wall interior waterproofing panels but again, there likely will be dampness that you can’t see behind the panels.

If on the other hand your basement walls are dry but you get seepage down low where the floor and wall meet, you likely have a ground water problem under the foundation – especially of you see heaved floor cracks, discolored areas in the floor etc… When ground water builds up under a basement floor the best way how to fix a wet basement in this case is with interior sub floor footer drains that will get the water before it builds up to floor level.

Look for basement waterproofing contractors that offer all methods of basement waterproofing. This can be tricky now because the ones who sell the same system over and over are now catching on that they should say they are full service and then steer you to the solution they install.

For a no obligation inspection and estimate on what will fix your wet basement call Pioneer Basement Solutions. Pioneer has been serving North East Ohio since 1979 with a Perfect Award Winning Customer Service Record! Pioneer offers all basement waterproofing and foundation repair solutions and does not send out a trained sales killer who will press for an order or use pricing games.

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February 19, 2015February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Comparing Basement Waterproofing Systems

Having a wet basement can be one of the most frustrating experiences a homeowner can have, maybe just as frustrating when comparing basement waterproofing systems available from various basement waterproofing contractors. Waterproofing contractors typically choose a solution or waterproofing method that they stick with regardless of the basement water problem.

You will find several basement waterproofing contractors that only install interior basement waterproofing systems and they often have a very convincing reason why you will end up with a dry basement for the least amount of mess and investment. Interior basement waterproofing systems will collect water building up underneath the basement floor which typically leaks out at the wall and floor joint / seam. This is a good solution for ground water build up and really the best solution if water is coming up through cracks in the basement floor away from the perimeter. If you have surface water problems however and your basement walls are wet or leaking water this may not be the best solution for your foundation.

comparing basement waterproofing systems

Interior basement waterproofing system.

Interior Full Wall Basement Waterproofing System

Excavation of exterior foundation

Installing basement waterproofing membrane over the resealed foundation

Neat and clean job site after full excavation!

Wet or leaking basement walls up high of mid-way down the basement walls are an indication that the seal on the foundation is no longer functioning properly and water is running through the basement walls. This problem can result in mortar rot and decay of the foundation that will eventually lead to structural integrity issues. The best basement waterproofing systems for solving a wet foundation wall is to fix it on the outside by performing a full excavation of the foundation to the very bottom. Exterior basement waterproofing systems should consist of a coating on the foundation walls, repairing cracks and weak points and a waterproof membrane installed over top. Combined with new exterior footer drains in gravel that take the water away from the foundation this system will restore and protect your foundation for decades giving you a very dry basement.

The best basement waterproofing contractors are those who impartially offer all basement waterproofing systems and will evaluate the problem that is causing the basement water leak. They will then recommend the solution that will solve the source of the problem and any options you may have.

Pioneer is a full service basement waterproofing contractor established in 1979 with perfect customer service. We evaluate the cause of your basement issue and only recommend what you need, what will best fix your basement waterproofing problem.

BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating and ZERO complaints

Twelve Time "Super Service Award" Winners from Angie's List

Home Advisor Screened and Approved

Check out Angie’s List reviews by clicking logo above

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January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 by Ron Lee

Basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio

You may find that doing a search on Google for basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio returns a long list of results and wonder how do you qualify a handful of companies for a visit. There are some easy qualifiers you may already have considered but to play it safe will will cover them.

When was the company established? You will need to look at a third party resource to find the answer, or to confirm the claims of the contractors. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to go for this. The Better Business Bureau will list the date the business was established, when the business joined the BBB and if they are Accredited Members. Watch out for a claim like “75 years experience” because this usually means it is a young company that is adding up the employees’ years of service in the industry to get one big number and get you eye off of their actual years in business.

Another great qualifier would be what type of labor is used by the contractors listed under the search for basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio. Employee labor can mean better consistency of quality work, better “ownership” of the finished product and better protection under insurance coverage. Be sure to check for Workman’s Compensation insurance and liability insurance before hiring a basement waterproofing contractor. By scanning the company websites you should be able to spot this in the “About Us” area as any contractor having these qualities will want to point them out.

Look for any awards or special recognition from third party organizations such as Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau. Read customer reviews and or complaints to get a good idea about how the basement waterproofing company deals with customer service and honoring warranties.

If you have leaky basement and have done a search for basement waterproofing Cleveland Ohio give Pioneer call today!

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January 19, 2015February 11, 2018 by Ron Lee

Searching for a basement waterproofing contractor in Ohio

Searching for a basement waterproofing contractor in Ohio can be challenging as the industry has a track record of some unscrupulous characters.

The obvious first place to look is length of time in business. Be careful though to look closely as many a basement waterproofing contractor have used lines like “years experience”. If you see “years experience it may be a red flag that the company hasn’t been in business for very long. It is common for new companies to add up the years of experience of the employees in an industry and post “100 years experience” in order to look impressive.

Visit the Better Business Bureau to see when the company was established.

Look to see if the basement waterproofing contractor offers more than one approach to basement waterproofing. Many contractors only sell one solution instead of offering several basement waterproofing systems but again, this can be tricky to determine. There are polished companies out there with presentations that will lead you to believe they do all types of waterproofing; however, they will walk you down a path to get you to logically choose the one solution that they actually install. A dead giveaway for this approach would be the word “patented” or “trademark” or something that no one else supposedly can do. You can bet that all of their customers end up buying that patented system.

If you have ever had a home improvement sales person in your home before then you are likely dreading the dog and pony show and the “close” at the end. If the basement waterproofing contractor sends out a sales person trained on how to sell their system, try to get them off of the presentation. If they get lost or confused or insist they stick to their presentation you can bet they are working a strategy to get you to say yes on the spot. Look for a company that sends out an inspector who knows more than just how to sell waterproofing, look for someone who understands all options and construction techniques to get the best possible consultation.

If there are “today only” discounts…well enough said. That ship has sailed years ago, no one believes those scams anymore. But just in case you haven’t heard about the biggest one…watch out for the “flex” or “stand by” type of close where you agree to be on call for install date to fill in the gaps that open up in their schedule. Malarkey.

Pioneer Basement Solutions was established in 1979 with no complaints ever with BBB and several consecutive years of award winning customer service. No sales team, no gimmicks and no trying to sell more than you need to solve your problem.

Free estimate

If you are searching for a basement waterproofing contractor in Ohio that operates with honesty and integrity at their core, call Pioneer today

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