basement waterproofing contractor Archives

April 22, 2020February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Basement leaks where the wall meets the floor

If your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor you could have a few issues.

Roof water is the number one enemy of your basement. Check your gutters and downspout to be sure they are working properly. If water is cascading off of your gutters near your foundation it can overwhelm your basement drainage system.

Many people try adding dirt to the side of the foundation to stop basement leaks where the wall meets the floor. Often times that does not stop the leak. Fixing the dirt along your foundation may help surface water issues or damp wall issues. If your foundation walls are dry but you are leaking onto the floor the grade outside is not likely the issue.

Seepage at the base of the walls and or through floor cracks…

Ground water can enter your basement through the seam where the walls meet the floor and up through cracks or weak points in the floor. These are signs the original foundation drainage has failed and or there is water building up under the floor.

A buildup of water around your foundation due to failing drainage causes water pressure commonly referred to as hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is what pushes the water through the weakest points which is usually the seam where the wall meets the floor.

Failing foundation drainage occurs when the original drains collapse or fill with soil and or roots. Foundation drains can also clog around the outside so that no water can enter the pipe. Improperly or inefficiently installed foundation drainage can also cause water to build up and create pressure resulting in basement leaks where the wall meet the floor.

How to stop leak at wall and floor seam

There are two ways to dry up your basement. Either way it involves installing new foundation drainage. The new drains are either installed outside or inside. Interior basement waterproofing systems are installed under the basement floor to relieve “hydrostatic pressure”. This is water pressure in the ground that builds up around your foundation when water has no where to go. Many homeowners have mixed feelings on whether waterproofing a basement from the inside actually fixes the problem. After all, water comes from outside, right? True, but it is not always possible to fix basement water seepage from the outside. If your basement has water under the floor, interior basement waterproofing may be the only fix. Without interior drains, water gets trapped under the floor. This is because your foundation separates the inside from the outside.

Exterior basement waterproofing may be overkill for some basement leaks. If you have wet basement walls up high or at ground level, and/or signs of water running down basement walls, exterior basement waterproofing may be the best solution. The original seal on the exterior of your foundation deteriorates over time resulting in chronic paint bubbling, wet basement walls or chronically damp basement walls. If you see these symptoms you should consider exterior basement waterproofing.

Get a few professional evaluations

Getting estimates for basement waterproofing can be frustrating. Many customers tell us they have three estimates and three different solutions. The issue is most basement waterproofing contractors only offer one method. Naturally the one size fits all contractors will be certain their option is best for your basement. Never the less it is valuable to be educated and explore your options if your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor.

Pioneer offers all solutions. We start with identifying the cause of your problem. We will then review the solutions and the costs.

check out or review on these sites:

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

Call today at 330-454-8066 and your basement leaks where the wall meets the floor will be a thing of the past

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April 21, 2017February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Things to Consider with a Basement Waterproofing Warranty

Before hiring a contractor, an important factor to consider is the basement waterproofing warranty that you will receive when the work is completed. No doubt, waterproofing is an investment. You want to make sure that your basement waterproofing system continues to work for years to come. Most companies do offer some type of a warranty. Of course though, not all warranties are created equally. So what should you consider before making a decision?

Questions to Ask

How long has the company been in business? If a company offers a lifetime warranty, but has only been in business for five years, are they really going to be able to honor that warranty down the road if a problem arises? Many contractors come and go over the years. A warranty is only as good as the company that offers it. It is best to choose a company with a good reputation and many years in business.

Is there an annual fee? Some companies require a yearly inspection of the system in order to maintain the validity of a warranty. This inspection usually also comes with an annual fee. If the fee is not paid and the inspection is not performed, this may void the warranty.

Is the warranty transferable? Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home right now, you may decide to in the future. Make sure you find out whether or not the warranty is transferable to a new owner. This may be an appealing selling point to potential buyers and add value to your home.

What does the fine print say? A basement waterproofing warranty agreement should be clear and comprehensive and the terms should be relatively easy to understand. If the agreement is overly vague, this gives the contractor wiggle room to refuse services at a later date.

How to Choose Wisely

Along with asking the above questions, research the contractor through various resources such as the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, and Home Advisor. Also explore social media outlets as well as customer reviews. Don’t be fooled by companies that pressure you into a sale, claiming to have the “best” warranty in the industry. A company’s reputation often speaks for itself. Making grand claims and using high pressure to obtain sales are tactics that are not needed by an honest company.

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

At Pioneer Basement Solutions, we are happy to answer any questions that you may have about our basement waterproofing warranty. We want our customers to clearly understand what they are getting into when they enter into a contract with us. Pioneer has been in business since 1979 and we plan to be here for many years to come. Learn more about us on our About page or click here to contact us.

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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

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 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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November 17, 2014February 1, 2021 by Ron Lee

Basement Waterproofing Medina Ohio

Basement waterproofing Medina Ohio

Searching for basement waterproofing Medina Ohio you will find ten pages of results from contractors and info based sites. It can be very challenging to select who to call out for a free estimate or consultation of your basement concerns. There are several key factors you may want to consider in your qualifying potential basement waterproofing contractors or foundation repair contractor candidates…

Let’s start with, when was the company established? Watch for ads that state “years of experience type of language. This can be a tell tale sign that they are adding up the employee’s individual experience in the basement waterproofing industry to come up with an impressive total of several years. Also, take a look at reports like the BBB or Angie’s List that will tell you when the company opened to compare with the claims.

Are they a full service basement waterproofing company and foundation repair company or do they sell a specific solution to everyone? This one can also be tricky. Several companies out there are claiming to be full service but actually have sales presentations that steer their prospective customers to their “patented” solution. It seems like a logical choice after listening to their pitch, but again…if they are ending up with a patented system you can bet they are not a true full service basement waterproofing contractor.

Reputation. In today’s age of information on the internet it is pretty easy to research contractors before inviting them into your home. The BBB is a good start but you have to be careful not to simply look at the grade or rating. You will find that there are basement waterproofing contractors in Medina Ohio are that have an “A” with the BBB but on a second look you will see multiple if not dozens of consumer complaints. The reason for this is contractors can maintain an “A” by simply responding to all of the complaints they get. Be sure to dig in and read the complaint types and consumer feedback on the companies before calling.

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

Angie’s List is a great way to find a basement waterproofing contractor in Medina Ohio. The grade achieved is a reflection of the report cards that are submitted by members who have used the services. And you can read specific information regarding promptness, professionalism and even get price information. Look for Super Service Awards which indicate a pattern of an overall “A” report card.

How do they present their pricing? All basement waterproofing contractors price their work based on a measurement just like carpeting suppliers all price by a measurement. You will see that there is a measurement of the length of the basement walls which will total up to liner feet of work to be performed. Add to that fixed items like sump pump systems, battery back up systems, dehumidification etc… Look out for sales gimmicks regarding basement waterproofing cost such as the “stand by” or “flexible schedule” discount. If you hear about how there are gaps that come up and they need someone to be available to be on call to do the work, be cautions. This is a common closing tactic used by sales people to get a signed contract on the first appointment. Anytime you get a discount that is good “now or never” you should consider that a red flag.

What are the details of the warranty? Look for a lifetime no strings attached, no cost warranty. Several companies offer a so called lifetime warranty but after further explanation the lifetime warranty is really a one year warranty with an annual fee that is required to keep it going for a lifetime. If you do not renew the warranty even one time the warranty is null and void letting the contractor off of the hook. Anyway, why would a company who is supposedly fixing your basement waterproofing issue correctly only cover it for a year at a time and charge for it? You will find the companies that do this are the ones with the most consumer complaints, go figure.

What type of labor is used? Be sure to set your eyes on a copy of the liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance of any basement waterproofing company you are considering in Medina Ohio. Companies that use employee labor with low to no turn over are the ones that offer the best protection and the best most consistent finished product and results. If the contractor you are hiring uses sub contracted labor be sure you are protected form potential liability claims in the event of an accident. Subcontracted labor can also result in a lien on your property if the basement waterproofing company does not pay their sub.

Do they have pictures of the work? Look at the finished work performed to get a good idea of what your basement waterproofing project will look like.

If you are searching basement waterproofing Medina Ohio or Medina basement finishing, be sure to call Pioneer for a no pressure, no sales gimmick consultation. We use employee labor and offer a free for life lifetime warranty. We have an impeccable reputation with the BBB and Angie’s List with Zero complaints since we’ve been in business, over 35 years! Click here for our contact information.

New cement block foundation with basement waterproofing Medina Ohio

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September 25, 2014November 17, 2014 by Dev

Basement Waterproofing In Winter?

People often ask if basement waterproofing can be done in the winter and it depends on the basement systems being used. Exterior basement waterproofing is where the perimeter of the home is excavated to the bottom of the footer most always with an excavation machine. This type of work is messy and definitely fair weather work; however, exterior basement waterproofing can be performed during winter months as long as the weather is fairly dry. In fact dry and cold is better than warm and wet.

Other basement systems designed to waterproof basements from the interior are performed year round with very little to no exceptions. Interior basement waterproofing involves removing a small area of the perimeter of the floor to allow access to the footer from inside the foundation. Interior footer drains are then installed to collect and direct ground water to a pump system that keeps the foundation dry.

Other basement systems are some sort of combination of interior basement waterproofing and exterior basement waterproofing methods that are usually performed all year round. In fact winter months can be an ideal time to get your basement waterproof project completed based on availability of basement waterproofing contractors and dry weather conditions. This will also prepare your foundation to stay dry during wet spring rains.

To learn more about different basement systems and what basement waterproofing system is best for your foundation, call today at 1-877-321-4889.

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September 25, 2014February 1, 2021 by Dev

Perfect customer service from basement waterproofing contractors in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Pioneer Basement Solutions has earned Perfect Customer Service records for over 35 years straight in Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Stow, Kent, Medina and surrounding areas of North East Ohio. Not only a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ but Pioneer Basement Solutions has never had one complaint filed in the history of the company. Check out our review here.

Pioneer Basement Solutions has also been awarded the coveted Super Service Award from Angie’s List many years in a row.

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

Pioneer is a full service basement waterproofing contractor offering all types of basement waterproofing systems from interior basement waterproofing, full exterior basement waterproofing and combination basement waterproofing systems customized to fit each specific scenario.

We will perform a thorough inspection of your foundation to determine what the root cause is to your leaky basement or foundation problems. Once we have identified your problem we will review all potential basement waterproofing and foundation repair solutions in detail so you can make an informed decision on how you want to fix your basement.

We work all year. Many people ask if basement waterproofing can be done in the winter and the answer is yes! Exterior basement waterproofing can be performed all year round and in fact, it is better do do it when it a little colder and more dry than when it is rainy. Interior basement waterproofing systems can naturally be installed all year.

No sales gimmicks and no sales pressure are at the top of the list of why people choose Pioneer to waterproof their basement. Pioneer takes a no-nonsense straight forward approach and treats each prospective customer the same as they would friends and family. Fair pricing with no games such as phony last minute or one time only discounts are what you get from Pioneer, unlike the other basement waterproofing contractors in Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Kent, Medina and surrounding areas.

Call us today at 330-773-0109 or 1-877-321-4889 for a free estimate.

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